Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Construction Manager
What construction managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Walk the site with the superintendent and check the three-week look-ahead schedule. From there, the day usually includes prepare cost estimates, budgets and schedules, select and coordinate subcontractors, and manage submittals, RFIs and change orders. Most work full-time, often more than 40 hours a week, with early starts and pressure around deadlines.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a construction manager working full time.
- Walk the site with the superintendent and check the three-week look-ahead schedule.
- Lead the daily coordination meeting with trade foremen.
- Review and send submittals for mechanical equipment to the architect.
- Price a change order for added electrical work requested by the owner.
- Hold the weekly owner-architect-contractor (OAC) meeting.
- Update the cost report and schedule in the project management software.
- Respond to an RFI from the drywall contractor and plan tomorrow’s inspection.
Where construction managers work
Construction managers split time between job site trailers and offices. They walk active sites in all weather, wearing PPE, and spend significant time on computers and phones.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time, often more than 40 hours a week, with early starts and pressure around deadlines.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Prepare cost estimates, budgets and schedules
- Select and coordinate subcontractors
- Manage submittals, RFIs and change orders
- Run job site and owner meetings
- Monitor safety, quality and code compliance
- Track costs and progress and report to owners
- Close out projects with punch lists and documentation
Tools you’ll use every day
- Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud or similar platforms
- Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project
- Estimating software
- Bluebeam for plan review
- Drones and photo documentation tools
- Spreadsheets
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay and leadership responsibility
- Variety: every project is different
- Strong demand
- Path for tradespeople to advance
What’s hard
- Long hours and deadline pressure
- Responsibility for safety and budgets
- Juggling many people and problems
- Weather and supply delays
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like leading teams and solving problems
- I’m organized with schedules and budgets
- I can make decisions under pressure
- I enjoy both office and field work
- I communicate clearly with many types of people
- I want a high-responsibility, high-paying career
Not sure? Take the free Construction Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Lead daily safety briefings and enforce the site safety plan
- Walk the site regularly to spot hazards
- Make sure subcontractors are trained and wearing PPE
- Investigate incidents and near-misses promptly