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Construction Management Agreement

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Construction Management Agreement

Agreement made on the (date), between

, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at

, referred to herein as Consultant, and

, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located a

, referred to herein as Company.

Whereas, Consultant has offered to provide construction management services to the Company for the construction of the Company's , hereinafter referred to as the Project; and

Whereas, the Company desires to have Consultant provide construction management services to the Company;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Construction Management Services: Consultant will provide the following services in connection with the construction of the Project:

A. Design/Plan Review

Consultant will work closely with the Company's architect and engineers to assist in the development of a detailed set of architectural and engineering drawings and specifications. Upon receipt of the architectural and engineering drawings from the Company's architect, as-builts from previous projects, design criteria and the real property relating to construction, Consultant will review the drawings before submittal for building permits.

B. Bidding & Permits

Consultant will prepare bid forms and invitation to bid letters to accompany the architectural and engineering drawings to be distributed to selected general contractors the Company has approved to handle the general construction of the space as well as for all millwork, theme options, signage, graphics and other special equipment. Bids will be evaluated and a recommendation will be provided to the Company. A contract will be prepared for the general contractor with the Company's approval.

C. Construction Supervision

Consultant will monitor the day-to-day activities of the general contractor and coordinate scheduling and material and equipment deliveries. Discrepancies, field conditions and requests for additional information will be handled and resolved. Periodic visits to the project will be made from pre-construction through the construction phase of the project to monitor progress and quality.

D. Punchlist and Close-Out

A final visit to the project will be made upon substantial completion of construction. A punchlist will be prepared noting all items not completed or requiring rework to make the Project ready for occupancy and operation.

E. Pay Request Review

All requests for payment, including change orders, will be reviewed and evaluated. Lien waivers will be obtained, reviewed and compared to the pay requests. All required documentation from the general contractor and equipment, fixture and other suppliers, including the completion of punchlist items, will be obtained. Consultant will advise the Company that the contractor may be paid.

2. Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses

A. As compensation for Consultant's services under this Agreement, the Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Consultant a fee (the Construction Management Fee) of $. Should the Company desire to utilize Consultant for additional aspects of the Project, the Construction Management Fee will be an additional $ per hour. The Construction Management Fee shall be paid as follows: Twelve (12) monthly payments of $ on the first of each month commencing (date) through (date).

B. The fee paid under Paragraph 2(A) above does not cover expenses. In addition, the Company shall pay all out-of-pocket expenses of Consultant, however, travel and other travel related expenses shall be reimbursed at their cost. Any single out-of-pocket expense item in excess of $ shall be pre-approved by the Company in advance of expenditure. On a monthly basis, the Company will reimburse the expenses within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice, .

3. Term

The term of this Agreement shall commence on (date) and shall terminate on (date). If Consultant has provided construction management or other services prior to the termination of this Agreement, the fees and expenses referred to above will be due and payable upon the completion of construction. Any of the Company's obligations that have accrued prior to the termination of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

4. Claims

Consultant and the Owner will indemnify, defend and save harmless the other from and against all Claims, as that term is defined, based upon the indemnifying party's negligence or intentional misconduct. As used herein, Claims shall mean all claims, suits, proceedings, actions, demands, causes of action, responsibility, liability, judgments, executions, damages, loss and expense (including attorney's fees). Company will indemnify, defend and save Consultant harmless from and against all Claims, as that term is defined, based upon any contractor or subcontractor's negligence or intentional misconduct.

5. Claims

As used herein, Claims shall mean all claims, suits, proceedings, actions, demands, causes of action, responsibility, liability, judgments, executions, damages, loss and expense (including attorney's fees).

6. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

7. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

8. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

9. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

10. Attorney's Fees

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

11. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

12. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

13. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

14. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

15. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and masculine includes feminine.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By:

By:

Enter text

What a Construction Management Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Construction Management Agreement (CMA) is a contract that defines the relationship between an owner and a construction manager for a building project. It sets the manager's responsibilities — preconstruction services, procurement, scheduling, subcontractor oversight, and cost management — and describes compensation, insurance, bonds, change order procedures, and dispute resolution. The CMA may be structured as CM-agency or CM-at-risk and becomes a binding legal instrument when signed by authorized parties. Electronic execution is generally acceptable under federal and state e-signature laws when the parties meet the necessary legal requirements.

Why a Clear Construction Management Agreement Matters

A well-drafted CMA clarifies scope, allocates risk, establishes payment and schedule controls, and provides a single reference for change orders and insurance requirements, reducing disputes and schedule delays.

Why a Clear Construction Management Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs a CMA

Multiple stakeholders typically prepare, review, and sign a CMA; each has distinct priorities and responsibilities.

  • Owner / Developer: Reviews commercial terms, approves budgets, and ensures lien and payment protections are included.
  • Construction Manager / General Contractor: Confirms scope, staffing, subcontractor selection, insurance limits, and accepts scheduling obligations.
  • Lenders / Investors: Require lien waivers, payment controls, budget transparency, and compliance with loan disbursement conditions.

Signatory Roles and Typical Responsibilities

Owner / Client

The owner provides project funding, approves the construction manager's proposals, issues the Notice to Proceed, and is the counterparty to payment and termination provisions; owners often require invoice audits and lien release procedures.

Construction Manager

The construction manager oversees procurement and schedule, manages subcontractors, carries specified insurance and bonds, follows change order procedures, and certifies progress for payment; signatory authority must be documented.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Construction Management Agreement

A complete CMA contains clauses that define work, payment, schedule, risk allocation, and procedures for changes and disputes; include clear exhibits for drawings, budgets, and insurance certificates.

Scope of Work

Describe services in granular detail, list excluded items, reference drawings and specifications, and attach exhibits that define deliverables and milestones for clarity and enforcement.

Compensation Structure

Specify fee type (lump sum, GMP, fee plus cost), payment schedule, retainage, invoicing requirements, and procedures for disputed invoices and holdbacks.

Schedule and Milestones

Include a baseline schedule, milestone dates, critical path responsibilities, and liquidated damages or incentives tied to timely completion where appropriate.

Change Orders

Set a written change-order process with authorization thresholds, cost and time adjustment formulas, and required supporting documentation for claims.

Insurance and Bonds

State minimum insurance types and limits, naming conventions for additional insured endorsements, and bonding requirements for performance and payment bonds if required.

Termination and Dispute Resolution

Include termination for convenience and cause, cure periods, and an agreed dispute resolution path such as mediation followed by arbitration or court jurisdiction.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Construction Management Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute a CMA with minimal rework and clear accountability.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Assemble scope, exhibits, budgets, and insurance evidence in a single draft document.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Legal and risk teams verify indemnities, insurance, and payment mechanics before external circulation.
  • 03
    Stakeholder Approvals: Circulate to owner, CM, lender, and major subcontractors for required sign-offs and certificate uploads.
  • 04
    Execute and Distribute: Obtain authorized signatures, distribute signed copies, and archive with version control and audit trail.

How to Configure an Online CMA Workflow

Set up a digital workflow that places fields, enforces signer order, and captures an audit trail for every execution step.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential routing | Role-based signer verification
Authentication Email or SMS code | Optional two-factor authentication
Required Attachments Insurance certificate upload | Mandatory before final signature
Audit Trail Automatic capture | IP, timestamp, and action log

Where to Send and Submit a Finalized CMA

After execution, route the signed agreement to each primary stakeholder and retain a certified copy for project records.

  • Owner Directory: Deliver a signed PDF to owner legal and project managers for contract administration.
  • Construction Manager File: Store the executed agreement in the CM's project folder as the controlling scope document.
  • Lender / Investor: Provide lender-required copies and any compliance exhibits tied to funding disbursements.
  • Project Records: Archive in a centralized document repository with version control and access logs.

Digital Signing and Integration Considerations

Choose a signing platform that supports secure signatures, audit trails, and the file formats you use for contract exhibits.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Procore, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA

Typical Timelines and Key Dates to Track

Document the dates below in the agreement and in project controls to avoid timing disputes and to coordinate payments and milestones.

Contract Execution Date:

Date parties sign; triggers obligations and warranty start dates.

Notice to Proceed Deadline:

Date owner provides authorization to begin work and mobilize resources.

Interim Payment Dates:

Scheduled invoice cutoffs and retainage release milestones tied to progress.

Substantial Completion Target Date:

Milestone for occupancy or functional use and for commencing warranty period.

Final Acceptance Date:

Completion of punch list and final closeout documentation submission.

Key Project Milestones From Agreement to Closeout

A sequential view of milestones aligns contract obligations with project delivery and payment triggers.

01

Preconstruction Approvals

Finalize design, permits, and budgets before procurement begins.

02

Procurement and Mobilization

Place long-lead orders and mobilize crews after Notice to Proceed.

03

Construction Phase

Execute work per schedule, manage change orders, and certify progress payments.

04

Closeout and Warranty

Complete punch lists, deliver operations manuals, and begin warranty period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a CMA

  • Vague scope descriptions that omit specific deliverables or referenced exhibits, leading to scope creep and disputes.
  • Undefined payment mechanics or retainage amounts that trigger withholding and payment litigation between owner and manager.
  • Missing insurance endorsements or incorrect additional insured language that voids coverage or causes claim denials.
  • No formal change order procedure requiring written approvals, which allows unauthorized work and unresolved cost claims.

Penalties and Legal Risks of an Incorrect or Incomplete CMA

Delay Damages: Owner may seek liquidated damages per contract.
Payment Disputes: Withholding or liens may be asserted.
Insurance Gaps: Claims denied for insufficient coverage.
Bond Claims: Performance bond can be invoked on default.
Termination Exposure: Wrongful termination claims and damages.
Regulatory Noncompliance: Local permit or licensing fines possible.

Essential Contract Data to Record and Protect

Project Name: Consistent identifier
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Parties' Names: Legal entity names
Scope Reference: Exhibit and drawing IDs
Financial Terms: Fee type and retainage
Insurance Detail: Carrier and policy limits

Representative Use Cases and Customer Experiences

Real-world examples show how CMAs are executed and managed in practice and the operational benefits realized with digital processes.

Martin Properties — Site Execution

The team digitized contract routing and approvals to reduce turnaround.

  • Reduced signature time and administrative backlog.
  • I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security, whether on mobile or working offline, which helps keep projects on schedule and budgets under control.

BIS — Compliance and Auditability

Centralized signed records and audit trails supported compliance.

  • Stronger audit evidence for stakeholders.
  • We felt most comfortable given SOC 2 certification and strict focus on ESIGN and UETA act compliance, which improved our internal review and external reporting processes.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Construction Management Agreement Execution

Compare core pricing, trial availability, bulk-send capability, audit trails, HIPAA support, and envelope limits across common eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per comparison guidelines.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Available on select plans Available Available Available Available
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Management Agreements

Answers to common execution, enforceability, and recordkeeping questions for CMAs, including electronic signature and notarization concerns.


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