Basic Construction Management:
The Superintendent’s Job
Table of Contents

Preface, v
About the Author, vii
Acknowledgments, ix

Introduction: Hiring and Training Superintendents, 1

1. The Superintendent's Job, 11
The Superintendent's Role, 12
The Superintendent's Authority, 13
The Superintendent as the Company's Agent, 13
The Superintendent's Duties, 13
The Superintendent as Leader, 14
The Superintendent as Manager, 20
Construction Activities, 24

2. Project Start-Up, 29
Starting Off Right, 29
Preconstruction, 31
Construction, 40

3. Quality Control and Inspections, 45
Why is Quality Control Necessary? 45
The Superintendent's Responsibility for Quality, 47
Creating an Atmosphere of High Quality, 50
Measuring Performance, 53

4. Cost Control, 61
Establishing the Budget, 61
Material Control, 62
Variance Analysis, 71
Labor Cost Control, 76

5. Scheduling, 77
Why Schedule? 77
Getting Started, 78
Scheduling Methods, 78
Scheduling Phases, 79
Sequencing Activities, 79
Determining Activity Duration, 80
The Bar Chart, 80
The Critical Path Method, 81
Scheduling Trade Contractors, 84

6. Construction Team Building and Trade Contractor Management, 87
Hired Labor or Trade Contractor? 87
Trade Contractor Management, 89
Training Trade Contractors, 95
Partnering with Trade Contractors, 98
Keys to Successful Partnering with Trade Contractors, 99
Hired Labor, 100

7. Working with the Homeowner, 105
Understanding Homeowners, 105
The Superintendent's Role in Homeowner Relations, 105
Direct Involvement with Homeowners, 106
Post-Sale Letdown, 107
Policies and Procedures, 107
Fixing Homeowners' Concerns, 111
Conflict Resolution, 112

8. Safety Management, 117
Three Reasons for Safety, 118
Violations, Citations, Penalties, and the Appeal Process, 123
The Superintendent's Role in Safety, 127
Training for a Safe Jobsite, 130
Safety Inspections, 133
Record Keeping, 136
Accident Investigation, 139
Trade Contractor Safety, 144
The Emergency Action Plan, 147