What is the relationship of agency CM to the trade or prime contractors?

The agency construction manager (CM) acts as a representative of the owner throughout the construction process, and its primary role is to manage the construction project on behalf of the owner. In an agency CM arrangement, there is no direct contractual relationship between the CM and the trade or prime contractors. Instead, the trade contractors are contracted directly by the owner, and the agency CM works in the owner's interests to oversee and coordinate these contractors.

This setup allows the agency CM to serve as an advisor and facilitator, providing expertise in managing schedules, budgets, and project performance without being a direct party to the construction contracts. The agency CM focuses on ensuring that the owner’s objectives are met while fostering good communication and cooperation among all parties involved in the project.

Understanding this dynamic is important for recognizing how responsibilities and authority are structured within a construction project, particularly the role of the agency CM as a mediator and overseer rather than a contractor in the traditional sense.