CMAR brings the builder in early and ends with a guaranteed maximum price.
In this article
Early involvement
During design.
Preconstruction
Estimates and constructability.
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GMP
Guaranteed maximum price.
Subcontractors
Competitive bidding.
Contingencies
Defined use.
Savings
Shared per contract.
A closer look
The value of CMAR is in preconstruction: estimates at each design milestone, constructability reviews and early procurement. The risk is in the GMP. A GMP set on incomplete drawings needs clear assumptions and contingency, or the CM absorbs costs that should have been changes.
Where to start
Document every assumption in your GMP proposal.
Common mistakes
Vague assumptions, weak preconstruction and unclear contingency rules.
An example
A CM documented every GMP assumption for a university building. When the design changed late, the assumptions made the change order discussion short and fair.
What to track
Track buyout savings, contingency use, change orders and estimate accuracy between design milestones.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CMAR and design-build?
In CMAR, the owner contracts separately with the designer and the construction manager. In design-build, one entity is responsible for both design and construction.