General Contractor Acronym

If you`re in the construction industry, then you`re probably familiar with the term “general contractor”. It refers to the person or company responsible for overseeing a construction project from start to finish. However, there are a number of other terms and acronyms that are commonly used in the industry that you may not be as familiar with. In this article, we`ll take a look at some of the most common general contractor acronyms and what they mean.

GC – General Contractor

This is the most common acronym used in the industry, and it simply refers to the person or company responsible for managing a construction project. General contractors are typically hired by the owner of a construction project, and they are responsible for coordinating all of the different trades and suppliers involved in the project.

CM – Construction Manager

A construction manager is similar to a general contractor, but there are some key differences. Construction managers are typically hired earlier in the planning process than general contractors, and they are responsible for overseeing the entire design and construction process. They work closely with architects and engineers to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

CMAR – Construction Manager at Risk

This is a variation of the construction manager model that is becoming increasingly popular. In a CMAR arrangement, the construction manager is brought on board early in the planning process, and they are responsible for providing input on the design and construction process. However, they also take on some of the risk associated with the project, and they are responsible for delivering the project within a specified budget.

DB – Design-Build

In a design-build arrangement, the owner of a construction project hires a single company to handle both the design and construction of the project. This can be beneficial because it allows for greater collaboration between the design and construction teams, and it can also streamline the process and reduce costs.

DBB – Design-Bid-Build

Design-bid-build is the traditional method of construction project delivery. Under this model, the owner of a project hires an architect to design the project, and then puts the project out to bid. The general contractor with the lowest bid is then hired to complete the project. This model can be prone to cost overruns and delays, as there is typically less collaboration between the design and construction teams.

In conclusion, there are a number of different terms and acronyms that are commonly used in the construction industry, and understanding them can be important if you work in the field. Whether you`re looking to hire a general contractor, a construction manager, or a design-build firm, it`s important to understand the differences between these different delivery models so that you can choose the one that is right for your project.