Broadly speaking, construction management consulting firms provide strategic and tactical recommendations to optimize the project process and reduce risks. They can be involved from concept to closeout, ensuring that the project is completed on time and on or under budget, while meeting regulations and contract specifications.

The specific assistance that construction consultants provide varies based on the project, but here are some of the contributions that they make:

- Assist with defining the scope of the work and developing a project plan
- Make preliminary cost estimates and help with budgeting and schedule creation
- Identify and assess risks before construction begins and advise on how to mitigate them
- Analyze and make recommendations on construction contracts to prevent disputes
- Analyze delays, provide strategies to resolve them and an opinion on responsibility
- Apply knowledge to solve problems that arise and avoid others in the future
- Provide safety advice and knowledge of regulations to keep the construction site safe

Companies often provide do-it-for-you construction management services in addition to expert insight and advice. A sampling is listed below:

Dispute resolution and litigation support: Assistance can involve working directly with project teams to resolve disputes. It can also entail working with a client’s counsel to establish facts, evaluate risks, and facilitate negotiations. Support includes performing forensic analyses, preparing court exhibits, and rendering clear, objective opinions to build a solid case if a lawsuit results.

Expert witness testimony: Another way to help with legal action is to provide the best expert to testify at deposition or trial. This individual distills the facts of the claim into a credible, easy-to-understand account that results in the most well-informed decision for the client.

Project management: Construction project managers oversee all aspects of a building project from end to end. That includes managing schedule and budget expectations, and handling changes and problem resolution to ensure a safe, timely, and successful outcome.

Accident investigation: When a construction accident occurs, consultants who are well versed in investigative techniques determine the cause, cost, and liability. They also make recommendations on how to reduce risk and prevent future accidents.

Program management: These services relate to the big picture. Program managers oversee several projects, ensuring seamless integration between all stages for each one. They are in charge of planning, budgets, site selection, construction, and all stakeholder relationships.

Claims management: Some companies can assist should a construction claim occur. They validate entitlement, quantify damages, and facilitate an expeditious, cost-effective resolution.

Construction inspections: Onsite inspections are done at regular intervals and at each stage of the funding process to confirm that elements are complete and correct. Checks can also occur at off-site facilities to ensure that funded materials have been obtained and safely stored.

Once you’ve decided to engage the services of a construction management consulting firm, you’ll face the challenge of finding one that’s the right fit for your project. Asking questions like the following can help you get a handle on quality, value, and depth and breadth of experience:

- Ask what resources and recent experience they have for projects like yours. Keep in mind that it’s about capacity as well as skillset. Make sure you ask for verified client results.

- Find out who will be working on your project if you’re hiring a company. Getting information on the background and capabilities of each professional on the team will help you compare.

- What best practices does the consultant follow? The answer to this will give you insight into how they set projects up for success and keep them on track.

- What can you expect when it comes to communication? If the approach sounds informal and loose, confusion, disputes, and surprises are likely to occur.

- What differentiates them from the competition? Listen for mention of areas that are especially important to you. Watch out for candidates that appear to be promising the moon.

And a question to ask yourself is whether the consultant’s demeanor and personality mesh well with yours. That can be as important as competence and integrity.

When looking for a consultant to support your construction project, here are several approaches you can take to compile a list of experienced potential candidates:

- Get a referral from an attorney. You can ask a lawyer that you’re familiar with whether they have done work for a consulting firm or retained a consultant as an expert witness. Or, they may be able to provide the name of a construction attorney who can suggest someone.

- Membership organizations for construction professionals, such as CMAA and Associated Builders and Contractors, can be a source for connecting with construction consultants. Just keep in mind that the pool of prospects is limited to those who are members.

- Use your community’s chamber of commerce as a resource for scouting out local companies. Again, the information is based on membership, but you can add this to your list for vetting.

- Architects typically have relationships with all types of consultants in the industry and can also make recommendations based on their experiences.

The surefire way to find professional construction management companies in your area is to use the RealEstateBees.com directory. The search is quick and easy, and you can be confident that you’re choosing among only top-rated local construction consulting firms.