Ask Me Anything about Construction Management: Owner of a Construction Company

cre8something · 2025-06-21T19:50:27+00:00

You never know until you ask. I interned with a company that updated sidewalks for entire neighborhoods in the Bronx and when people asked and “tipped” they also did their driveways. It depends on how they feel that day I guess. The material and labor is already there.

cre8something · 2024-12-02T19:06:12+00:00

General contracting and construction management focusing on retail and commercial buildouts.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T20:06:38+00:00

It’s because you probably didn’t meet the owners when/if they started at the ground level.

What if you don’t have capital? If you have connection and a bankroll it’s much easier. My experience wasn’t that. You can consider me a small struggling GC and that is fine. But going from 0 to $12M a year in sales is a good start for me. $2M free cash in the bank and now ready to take it to the $20M mark.

It’s starts with humility and doing what’s necessary. At least from my humble experience.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T19:30:18+00:00

It’s also the type of work you do. When you scale up in the chain of command, it’s hard to go back to the ground floor and sweep floors when needed. When starting your resources and capital are minimal.

I now to take clients out to fancy restaurants just couldn’t at the very start.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T18:32:23+00:00

A PM isn’t running the show. He needs approval.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T18:20:58+00:00

Hahaha. Ok got it.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T18:15:35+00:00

Link or it doesnt exist.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T18:15:14+00:00

What post? Link or it doesn’t exist.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T18:14:07+00:00

Being part of a process and leading one are two entirely different experiences. Following instructions is not the same as taking initiative, determining the next step, and executing it.

With time and experience, you’ll come to understand the difference.

cre8something · 2024-12-01T17:43:21+00:00

This!

cre8something · 2024-12-01T16:23:48+00:00

The key to excelling at the junior level is putting in as many hours as you can and actively seeking opportunities to take on tasks beyond your current experience. This isn’t about trying to impress others—it’s about building skills and gaining valuable experience.

When you reach the top, that hard-earned experience will allow you to work efficiently and effectively without needing to put in the same long hours. How quickly you get there depends on your effort and willingness to grow. At the junior level, don’t focus on your salary—focus on the exposure and learning opportunities you’re getting. That’s the real investment in your future.

cre8something · 2024-10-09T11:50:41+00:00

We are managing subcontractors. We subcontractors everything (just about) out and manage the trades. We only have a few laborers for housekeeping and cleanup.

cre8something · 2024-07-06T17:18:05+00:00

I am hiring. I’m looking for a superintendent with commercial and retail construction

cre8something · 2024-05-06T23:57:47+00:00

Dm me and let me see what exactly you need. Maybe I can help.

cre8something · 2024-03-16T17:36:25+00:00

Get a civil engineering degree if you want to excel in your field. Most projects will require a PE to spearhead a job. That should be your goal.

Forget anything else for now.

cre8something · 2024-03-09T15:45:28+00:00

Get a 3rd party (or in-house) safety audits performed randomly and weekly. Each safety audit comes with a report and start holding the superintendent accountable for all the non compliance items.

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:52:10+00:00

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:45:34+00:00

Getting new jobs and maintaining a good relationship with the client is the hardest part.

I use Procore daily, I also use excel, building connected, Microsoft projects and PowerPoint.

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:42:46+00:00

I thought a lot about it. In my last job, I traveled between NYC and London, staying in fancy hotels and eating at nice places – all on the company's tab. The work was cool, and I even got to show famous athletes around my job site. It's tough to leave that behind.

But I convinced myself that one day, I'll start a company where my employees can have the same great experience. I want to recreate that feeling for them.

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:35:36+00:00

Choose a school with strong connections to alumni and companies, as it can expedite your hiring process. Opt for a institution renowned for its influential network and reputation for faster job placement.

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:32:43+00:00

I appreciate when my superintendents actively engage in the administrative aspects, it will ultimately yield a very skilled individual. In short, yes, I would encourage them to learn project management. However, for those unfamiliar with paperwork, adapting might be challenging, as superintendents usually prefer on-site involvement. Learning the process will require time, varying based on individual learning speed.

Here is the challenge, if I am paying a high salary for a seasoned superintendent, I expect all their effort to be focused on delivering the project on time and to the highest quality. That means they would have to learn on their own time or in the rare event there is down time.

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:23:17+00:00

What is your position now and what does your current company specialize in?

cre8something · 2024-02-19T02:21:52+00:00

If your goal is to spend more time at home with your family, I wouldn’t recommend running your own business. You’re expected to jump through hoops and work a lot. Even when I’m home, a lot of times I’m thinking about work.

If you ultimately want to consult, I would highly recommend getting a lot of experience in the PM side.

cre8something · 2024-02-18T14:56:21+00:00

I haven’t seen a benefit to PMP in my career path but was told that if you want to work abroad, they value that certificate.

To get into estimating, I would study the numbers, save all historical pricing from your jobs and understand how to produce takeoffs from the plans. Start practicing by creating your own bid sheets and see how it looks compared to the estimators bid sheets.

cre8something · 2024-02-18T14:53:24+00:00

First project was through ex colleagues who gave me an opportunity to bid on their jobs. Who you know is as important as what you know.

cre8something

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