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Construction Management - Commercial vs Residential
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:02 pm
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:02 pm
Question for some of you CM guys that have experience in both. So I’ve been in commercial for a few years now and while I don’t hate it, I’m not sure it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I know I don’t want to go into industrial and I know that the money isn’t quite as good. Guess I’m just asking for pros and cons, how they compare, etc from those who have done both. Is it even worth me looking in to?
18
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:05 pm to LSBoosie
to make real money in residential, you have to be the owner of the company. if you're cool with taking a massive paycut until you get your bearings and can strike out on your own, go for it
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:08 pm to Carson123987
I know the whole money thing is part of it. Asking more about the day to day job itself. Stress, daily responsibilities, etc.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:12 pm to LSBoosie
Do you all enjoy construction management? I was an ag major and spent time as a golf course superintendent and in the landscape business. Looking for a change and thinking about going back to school for CM.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:23 pm to LSBoosie
Why don’t you want to go into industrial?
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:23 pm to VAvolfan
Honestly if you want to go the field route you probably don’t need to go back to school. Don’t necessarily need to go back to go the office route either but it’d probably make it easier to get a job
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:26 pm to JasonL79
quote:
Why don’t you want to go into industrial?
It doesn’t interest me nearly as much as commercial or residential. I don’t think I would enjoy it all that much
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:28 pm to LSBoosie
Do you actually like project management? If you don't, you could pivot into estimating or pre-construction.
When I was in school getting my CM degree, I always enjoyed estimating. I figured I needed at least some experience in project management to make me a better estimator though. Project management really didn't fit my personality. It always felt like I was chasing my tail moving from one fire to the next; I never felt I was doing everything well. Estimating is what I do now, and it suits me much better. It can still be stressful beating on your subs to get you numbers to plug in on bid day, but overall the stress is much lower.
When I was in school getting my CM degree, I always enjoyed estimating. I figured I needed at least some experience in project management to make me a better estimator though. Project management really didn't fit my personality. It always felt like I was chasing my tail moving from one fire to the next; I never felt I was doing everything well. Estimating is what I do now, and it suits me much better. It can still be stressful beating on your subs to get you numbers to plug in on bid day, but overall the stress is much lower.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:35 pm to Witty_Username
I’ve thought about this as well, I think that could definitely be the case. It would probably be a easier transition too.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:35 pm to VAvolfan
quote:
Do you all enjoy construction management?
While it is industry specific, it's one of the most versatile degrees imo. Many of the guys that were in school with me wanted a job in the field, but the CM world needs field guys and office guys. That's the beauty of the degree.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:39 pm to LSBoosie
We do commercial in Industrial facilities. Niche contractor with a lot of head room in the market.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:40 pm to LSBoosie
quote:
I’ve thought about this as well, I think that could definitely be the case. It would probably be a easier transition too.
If it's mostly stress related, but you still like commercial construction, I would give estimating a shot. I'm telling you the stress is much lower, and instead of staying on a project for years at a time, you might be on a new project every 2 weeks depending on what you're bidding. My experience is with one of the major trade subcontractors though, not a GC. YMMV
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:40 pm to LSBoosie
quote:
I know the whole money thing is part of it. Asking more about the day to day job itself. Stress, daily responsibilities, etc.
same shite but smaller scale and scope. still juggling issues with shitty subs and having to listen to clients cry
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:41 pm to Witty_Username
just quit after 6 years estimating for a major industrial GC. endless stress and anxiety
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:44 pm to LSBoosie
Do you want to deal with angry/impatient businessmen or angry/impatient housewives everyday?
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:46 pm to Carson123987
quote:
just quit after 6 years estimating for a major industrial GC. endless stress and anxiety
Since I only have to provide a price for 1 trade, I've always wondered what it would be like estimating for a GC. I figure it would be quite a bit more stressful because you have to confirm all the scopes of all your trades and make sure there are no gaps. I could see where that could get stressful.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:49 pm to Carson123987
quote:
just quit after 6 years estimating for a major industrial GC. endless stress and anxiety
What are you getting into now?
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:52 pm to LSBoosie
Doesn't matter the type. Construction has some of the largest burnout rates out of any career field
This post was edited on 4/11/23 at 9:02 pm
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:52 pm to LazloHollyfeld
quote:
Do you want to deal with angry/impatient businessmen or angry/impatient housewives everyday?
Haha fair. Easier to explain a frickup to a housewife than an engineer/owner that knows more about what you’re putting in than you do though.
Posted on 4/11/23 at 8:57 pm to LSBoosie
I’ve done multi-family, single family, & commercial. It’s tough for commercial guys to switch to residential because it’s not as rigid and the subs aren’t usually as sophisticated.
I’m currently work as the GC for a multi-family developer. Im a builder more than a contractor so I get to manage the design and make decisions that are best and more efficient for the project without having to get bogged down with decision making from owners and architects. My last project was 350 units in 11 buildings and I had 32 RFI’s.
I’m spoiled now and don’t think I could ever work for/as a traditional GC.
I’m currently work as the GC for a multi-family developer. Im a builder more than a contractor so I get to manage the design and make decisions that are best and more efficient for the project without having to get bogged down with decision making from owners and architects. My last project was 350 units in 11 buildings and I had 32 RFI’s.
I’m spoiled now and don’t think I could ever work for/as a traditional GC.
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