CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AS ADVISOR (CMa)

Independent Guidance From Planning Through Closeout

When you want to keep direct control of the project but need experienced support, Kent can serve as an independent construction advisor. We help coordinate the people, decisions, costs, and risks from preconstruction through closeout, with the owner’s priorities guiding the work.

YEARS IN BUSINESS

200

REPEAT CLIENTS

STATES LICENSED

What is CMa?

Construction Manager as Advisor, or CMa, gives the owner an experienced construction representative without changing who holds the project contracts. The owner typically maintains direct agreements with the architect, general contractor, and other consultants while Kent provides independent guidance and coordination across the project.

For owners with limited internal construction capacity, CMa adds experience without taking control away from the organization. Kent helps turn technical information into clear decisions, keeps the team accountable, and stays focused on the owner’s priorities.

This approach may fit when:

You want to retain direct control of project contracts.
Your internal team needs added construction expertise or capacity.
The project involves multiple consultants, contractors, departments, or stakeholders.
You need independent review of costs, schedules, changes, and project performance.
The work will take place in an active or operationally sensitive environment.

Owner Benefits with CMa

Keep direct control of the project

The owner maintains the contractual structure and decision authority while gaining experienced construction guidance.

Add an independent perspective

Budgets, schedules, changes, and project performance are reviewed from the owner’s point of view rather than from a designer’s or contractor’s contractual position.

Expand your internal capacity

A CMa can absorb day-to-day coordination, reporting, document review, and issue tracking that would otherwise fall to internal leadership.

Create continuity from planning through turnover

One advisor stays connected to the project’s goals, decisions, and risks across preconstruction, construction, and closeout.

How Kent

supports.

Kent works as your experienced advisor at each stage.

Create clarity early

We help establish clear priorities, roles, expectations, and decision-making structure so the project begins on solid footing.

Build the right team

Kent helps owners evaluate project partners based on the experience, capacity, and approach the project requires.

Strengthen the plan before construction

We provide an independent construction perspective on cost, schedule, phasing, constructability, and project risk while options are still available.

Protect accountability during construction

We provide consistent oversight so cost, schedule, quality, and key decisions remain visible to the owner throughout the work.

Support a complete turnover

Kent stays engaged through closeout to help the owner transition into a complete, operational facility.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

AMG Specialty Hospital

23,240 Sq Ft
23 Patient Rooms
20 Utility & System Mobilizations
Greenfield, IN

Challenge

AMG was developing a new specialty hospital on the second floor of an occupied hospital, directly above active Cath Lab and Emergency Department spaces. The project required Level IV infection-control protocols, interim life-safety coordination, and careful integration with existing hospital systems.

Kent's Approach

Kent served as Construction Manager as Advisor from preconstruction through closeout. The team supported contractor selection, reviewed budgets and schedules, coordinated stakeholders, monitored quality and contract compliance, and managed approximately 20 mobilizations for utility and system tie-ins.

Results

The project delivered a new 23-room specialty hospital while Hancock Regional Hospital remained operational. Careful phasing, independent oversight, and consistent communication helped balance construction requirements with patient safety and ongoing care.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How is CMa different from CMAR?

With CMa, Kent serves primarily as the owner’s advisor while the owner retains the direct design and construction contracts. Under CMAR, the construction manager also becomes contractually responsible for delivering the construction work, typically under a Guaranteed Maximum Price once the scope is sufficiently defined.

Who holds the contracts in a CMa arrangement?

The exact structure depends on the project, but the owner generally holds the contracts with the architect, general contractor, and other major project partners. Kent’s role is to advise, coordinate, review, and represent the owner’s interests.

When should a CMa be brought into the project?

The earlier the advisor is involved, the more opportunity there is to help shape team selection, budget, schedule, phasing, procurement, and decision structure before commitments are made.

Can Kent help select architects and contractors?

Yes. Depending on the engagement, Kent can help develop RFQs or RFPs, evaluate qualifications and proposals, participate in interviews, and provide an objective recommendation to the owner.