Is the construction manager at risk required to prioritize the owner's interests?

The construction manager at risk (CMAR) model establishes a contractual relationship between the construction manager and the owner, where the construction manager assumes the risk of delivering the project within the stipulated budget and schedule. However, while the construction manager is obligated to manage the project effectively and deliver quality work, their primary role is not always synonymous with prioritizing the owner's interests above all else.

In this model, the construction manager is expected to balance the various interests of all stakeholders, including subcontractors, suppliers, and project team members, while still adhering to the contractual obligations set forth by the owner. This means that while they should certainly take the owner's goals and preferences into consideration, they must also ensure that the project is delivered efficiently and safely, which sometimes involves making tough decisions that may not align perfectly with the owner's immediate interests.

Therefore, the obligation to prioritize the owner's interests can vary based on context, project specifics, and the nature of contractual agreements, making it accurate to say that the construction manager is not strictly required to do so in every circumstance.