How to start a construction management company

Construction management services are always in demand. This is especially true today, with UK construction growing at its fastest rate in more than five years.

Why start a construction management company?

Current market conditions make it an ideal time to start a construction management company and start sharing your expertise. However, with so much information online it can be tricky to understand how to start a construction management firm.

We’ve got all the information you need in one place, including tips for business plans and marketing and common questions.

How do I start a construction management company?

When starting out, you’ll first need to register the name of your business with Companies House and then decide on its legal structure. Construction managers are responsible for interviewing and selecting subcontractors to work on-site.

You’ll need an up-to-date list of industry connections to call upon once you secure a pipeline of work. This will include architects, builders, surveyors, M&E businesses and engineering firms.

You’ll also need to decide which sub-sectors of construction you’re going to target:

• Residential buildings

• Commercial buildings

• Transport and infrastructure

• Industrial construction

• Environmental construction

Skills you need to run a construction management company

Finally, make sure you also have the necessary skills to establish and run a construction management business successfully:

• Quality management – ensuring that all subcontractor work is maintained against set standards

• Cost management – keeping on top of budgets and ensuring the project remains profitable

• Safety oversight – identification of hazards and provisions to keep people safe

• Administration – managing the different contractual agreements on site and guaranteeing all legalities are handled effectively

Creating a business plan for a construction management company

Your business plan should determine the areas of construction in which you plan to specialise. It should also specify who you plan to target and your goals for the next five years or more.

If you already have experience in a sector, note the key decision-makers in this field. It can be helpful to consider where your business might be able to help a business like this.

However, remember the main draw lies in your skill, expertise and experience. Businesses will want to work with people they trust and know can manage the often-complex nature of today’s builds.

As such, networking should form a key part of your business plan. A portion of your time should be spent developing your personal brand.

After all, most self-employed contractors are awarded work based on their reputation.

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Marketing your construction management company

Digital marketing can be extremely effective for helping your business grow during the early stages. Your time will be stretched as a start-up, so decide what tools you’re going to use and when.

For an in-depth guide, take a look at our article on marketing a construction business, as well as our recommended construction apps.

A great marketing tool here is the Checkatrade membership. This will open doors to more than well over 2 million monthly users across a wide spectrum of trade jobs – ideal for those looking to develop a relevant and trusted list of contacts.

Social media can also be ideal for sharing ongoing and completed work, while professional networking sites will put your brand in front of people who matter.

However, be sure to keep these up to date as an empty feed or an unanswered message can do more harm than good. For more ideas, check out our guide on how to grow a construction business.

FAQs

What do construction management companies do?

Construction management companies oversee planning, design and completion of construction projects. They supervise the day-to-day running of a site from start to finish, including management of all tradespeople, contractors and consultants.

They are employed to keep projects consistent, on budget and to schedule.

Can construction managers start their own business?

Yes. The ability to coordinate different stakeholders while keeping an eye on targets translates well to the pressures of running a business.

What qualifications do you need to start a construction management company?

There are many routes into the sector, either via work experience, paid employment or vocational studies. Construction manager jobs often require a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a degree, in a relevant field.

Also, gaining chartered status by CIOB is important as your career develops.