Construction Management

Principled construction management, no matter the contract type

Carl A. Nelson & Company has decades of experience delivering projects using the Construction Management (CM) delivery method. Whether serving as an Owner’s advocate and advisor from master planning and pre-construction through completion, or assuming construction risk following pre-construction, our project leadership teams—both in the office and in the field—are guided by a consistent approach:

Deliver Value. Build Trust. Repeat.

That mindset shapes how we plan, communicate, manage risk, and make decisions on behalf of our clients. It reflects our long-standing guiding principles of Fairness & Honesty, Quality Workmanship, and Service Second to None—principles that apply regardless of CM contract structure.

No matter which CM approach is selected, Owners can count on Carl A. Nelson & Company to manage and lead their project with integrity, transparency, and accountability from start to finish.

Construction Management is a delivery method in which the construction manager provides pre-construction services in collaboration with the project’s architects and engineers, then leads the construction phase by coordinating contractors, schedule, cost, quality, and safety. Variations within CM are defined by contract structure and risk allocation during construction—not by differences in leadership, professionalism, or commitment to Owner outcomes.

Construction Management Delivery Approaches

If flexibility, early collaboration, and transparency matter more than lowest-bid certainty, Construction Management is often the preferred path.

CM Agency (CMa)

In the CM Agency model, the Owner holds the trade contracts for construction work, while the construction manager serves as the Owner’s representative throughout pre-construction, construction, and closeout. The CM provides leadership and oversight of cost, schedule, coordination, and quality, working closely with the design team and contractors to support informed decisions and protect the Owner’s interests.

This approach is often well suited for projects where transparency, flexibility, and direct Owner control of contracts are priorities.

CM Agency + Design

On some projects, Owners may elect to use a CM Agency + Design approach. This is a variation of the CM Agency model that uses a streamlined contractual structure to support closer alignment between design and construction leadership.

Under this approach, the Construction Manager continues to act as the Owner’s representative, providing coordination, cost management, scheduling, and constructability input throughout design and construction. Design professionals retain responsibility for design intent, code compliance, and professional judgment, while collaborating closely with the CM to support efficient communication and coordinated decision-making.

This structure can be particularly effective on projects where early cost clarity, schedule integration, and team alignment are important. The intent is not to redefine professional roles, but to reduce friction, clarify responsibilities, and support a unified project team focused on delivering value for the Owner.

CM at-Risk (CMaR)

In a CM at-Risk contract, the construction manager provides advisory services during pre-construction related to cost, schedule, constructability, and sequencing. Following completion of pre-construction, the CM assumes responsibility for delivering the project under an agreed-upon contract structure and holds the specialty trade subcontracts for work not self-performed.

While the contractual role changes at the start of construction, our responsibility to the Owner does not. The same commitment to planning rigor, field leadership, safety, quality, and transparency carries through the entire project. This delivery method is sometimes referred to as Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc).

Early Collaboration Across All CM Projects

Regardless of contract structure, Construction Management projects benefit from early collaboration among the Owner, designer, and construction manager.

Engaging the CM during design allows constructability input, cost modeling, schedule planning, and risk identification to occur while decisions are still flexible—supporting better outcomes and fewer surprises during construction.

At Carl A. Nelson & Company, this collaborative approach reflects our belief that trust is built early and reinforced through consistent execution in the field.

Selecting the right CM approach

The most effective Construction Management approach depends on factors such as project complexity, risk tolerance, schedule requirements, funding constraints, and procurement preferences. Our role is not to promote one CM structure over another, but to help Owners understand their options, make informed decisions, and move forward with confidence.

Deliver Value. Build Trust. Repeat. is not a tagline on a CM project—it is how successful CM projects are planned, managed, and delivered, regardless of contract form.

Construction Management can take different forms depending on how authority, risk, and responsibility are assigned. For broader context, see Understanding construction project delivery methods .

CM Delivery Approach	Owner Holds Trade Contracts	CM Role During Pre-Construction	CM Role During Construction	Typical Use Considerations
CM Agency (CMa)	Yes	Cost modeling, scheduling, constructability review, coordination with designer	Owner’s representative; manages cost, schedule, coordination, and quality	Projects prioritizing transparency, flexibility, and direct Owner control
CM Agency + Design	Yes	Integrated cost, schedule, and constructability input closely aligned with design development	Owner’s representative with streamlined coordination among Owner, designer, and contractors	Projects where contractual alignment and streamlined coordination are priorities
CM at-Risk (CMaR / CMc)	No	Advisory role on cost, schedule, constructability, and sequencing	Assumes construction risk and holds trade contracts, similar to a general contractor	Projects seeking early collaboration with defined cost and risk transfer at construction

Client perspectives on construction management projects

Additional project testimonials can be found on our YouTube channel.

Construction Management project examples

Visit the Project Portfolio for additional examples of our work.

Choose CANCO to be your Construction Manager

Carl A. Nelson & Company is available to serve as Construction Manager for your organization's next construction project. Fill out the form below, or contact Dan Culp in our Burlington, Iowa, office at (319) 754-8415.