Absolutely not true, Clifford-there really is a HUGE difference between a Construction Manager and a traditional Design-Bid-Build General Contractor. Per the AIA A133 Agreement Between Owner and CM, the CM at-Risk relationship requires the following (emphasis mine):
"§ 1.2 Relationship of the Parties -- The Construction Manager accepts the relationship of trust and confidence established by this Agreement and covenants with the Owner to cooperate with the Architect and exercise the Construction Manager's skill and judgment in furthering the interests of the Owner; to furnish efficient construction administration, management services and supervision; to furnish at all times an adequate supply of workers and materials; and to perform the Work in an expeditious and economical manner consistent with the Owner's interests."
This is the exact polar opposite of a traditional Design-Bid-Build General Contractor's vendor-relationship with the Owner.
The trick, however, is for we architects to not only know the difference among delivery alternatives, but to proactively help our client draft and properly administer CM at-Risk Contract Documents as open-book, fee-based, early teamwork to the benefit of our mutual client. That is the only way to achieve actual professional collaboration in the Owner's interests, not the traditionally adversarial old GC's self-profit model that you are referring to.
If we architects don't understand project delivery relationships, everything will revert back to the needless conflicts and other problems common to old fashioned D-B-B contracts.
We owe it to our clients to do better. See my attached white paper on the subject titled "If We Keep On Doing What We've Always Done...", as recently published on the AIA CCA Knowledge Community website. I welcome questions and comments.
--Dale
Dale L. Munhall, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Senior Associate, Director of Construction Phase Services
8600 Indian Hills Drive, Omaha, NE 68114-4039
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