CMGC

CMGC stands for Construction Manager General Contractor, a project delivery method that integrates design and construction through an early involvement of a construction manager who also serves as the general contractor during construction. The owner hires the CMGC in the early design phase to provide preconstruction services and to oversee construction, enabling collaboration among owner, designer, and contractor. The CMGC assists with design reviews, cost estimating, scheduling, constructability analysis, risk assessment, and procurement planning. As the design solidifies, the CMGC develops a cost plan and may propose a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) or a negotiated price for construction. Subcontractor bidding is usually coordinated by the CMGC, with the owner retaining final approval.

Projects are typically selected through a qualifications-based process that emphasizes the CMGC's track record, capability, and compatibility with the owner's program. The owner maintains control over scope, budget, and schedule, while the CMGC helps identify constructability issues, optimize value, and reduce risk. Advantages include earlier cost visibility, improved time management, streamlined procurement, and opportunities for value engineering and early material buyouts. Potential drawbacks include possible higher fees, the need to manage a dual role for the CMGC as adviser and builder, and reduced competitive bidding for components under the GMP. CMGC is commonly used for complex or large-scale public projects, infrastructure, and facilities projects where early constructability input can shorten the delivery timeline.

Compared with traditional design-bid-build, CMGC provides earlier involvement of construction expertise and price certainty via GMP. Compared with design-build, CMGC maintains more owner control of scope and budget while still delivering the advantage of constructability input. In some jurisdictions, CMGC overlaps with CMAR (construction manager at risk) but differs in contract structure and the terms of risk allocation.