What You’re Really Paying For When You Hire a Contractor
When you hire a contractor, you’re not only covering the cost of labor and materials—you’re also paying for the expertise and coordination that keep the project on track. Running a construction site is demanding. Their role is equal parts organization, information management, and quality control—all while balancing the needs and demands of the client. Here’s a brief breakdown of two key roles.
Superintendent
The superintendent is responsible for carrying out the work and managing the subcontractors on site. A superintendent needs to be able to understand architectural drawings, the means and methods in order to carry out the work and discuss that work with the responsible trades and subcontractors in detail. “Supers” as we refer to them in the industry, are generally hands-on and have a good deal of field experience. As problems arise on site, superintendents are generally the first person to contact and may have a field office located within the perimeters of the site.
Project Manager
The project manager’s role is very different: they keep the project organized. That includes updating schedules, submitting questions and product info to the architect, moving information between trades, managing meetings, and handling contracts and purchase orders. This role is more client-facing, where the superintendent may be more sub-contractor facing, but typical job site meetings involve both the “super” and the “project manager”.
What Happens on Smaller Projects
On smaller projects, there may not be a dedicated project manager. In those cases, the responsibility for organizing information flow often shifts to the owner or to the architect (or sometimes the designer).
If the owner doesn’t have project management experience, an experienced architect can step in and help fill those gaps to keep the project on track.
Why Team Alignment Matters
Here’s where projects can run into trouble: if the person doing the physical work and the person managing expectations haven’t worked together before, roles and responsibilities can get misaligned. That’s when delays and frustrations often creep in.
The Role of an Experienced Architect
This is why choosing an architect is such an important first step. An experienced architect not only designs the project, but also helps establish clarity around roles, expectations, and communication.
Architects understand how different contractors and consultants fit into the bigger picture, and can guide you toward the team structure that makes the most sense for your specific project.
No two projects are alike, and no two teams function exactly the same way. The key is to make sure your expectations are clear, your concerns are heard, and that you have a professional on your side who can help you navigate the process.
