How Much are Construction Supervision Fees in the USA in 2025?
Highlights
Homeowners usually pay between $3,081 and $94,754 or an average of $47,656 to hire a construction manager.
Construction managers usually charge 5% to 15% on top of the total project cost, but they may use other pricing structures.
Accounting for varying project costs, large projects have higher total construction manager fees but lower percentages, while small jobs have higher rates but lower costs.
New construction usually has higher fees than comparable remodels because they often involve greater complexity and specialization.
Hiring a construction manager costs an average of $47,656, or between $3,081 and $94,754. Their fee makes up 5% to 15% of the project total, though this percentage may decrease for large-scale projects. In general, costs may vary depending on the project type, fee structures, and other variables in new construction and renovation.
Construction Supervision Fees Cost Factors
Consider how total project costs, pricing structures, and various project types influence the cost of hiring a construction manager.
Total Project Cost
Construction management oversees a project from planning to completion. When you hire a construction manager, you hand off responsibilities such as coordinating and collaborating with subcontractors, procuring resources, managing the budget, scheduling, and more. The cost to hire a construction manager directly relates to the project costs, ensuring you cover material and labor expenses and compensate the manager for their services.
Generally, construction managers apply a percentage scale according to the project value, often charging a higher percentage for smaller projects than larger ones. For projects valued at less than $1 million, construction managers typically charge 5% to 15% of the project’s value. For projects valued at $1 million to $10 million, construction managers usually charge 5% to 9%. For projects valued over $10 million, construction managers may charge 1% to 5%.
| Project Value | Percentage Range | Construction Manager Fee Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | 5%–15% | $5,000–$15,000 |
| $250,000 | 5%–15% | $12,500–$37,500 |
| $500,000 | 5%–15% | $25,000–$75,000 |
| $750,000 | 5%–15% | $37,500–$112,500 |
| $1,000,000 | 5%–9% | $50,000–$90,000 |
| $2,500,000 | 5%–9% | $125,000–$225,000 |
| $5,000,000 | 5%–9% | $250,000–$450,000 |
| $7,500,000 | 5%–9% | $375,000–$675,000 |
| $10,000,000 | 1%–5% | $100,000–$500,000 |
| $20,000,000 | 1%–5% | $200,000–$1,000,000 |
Cost by Project Type
Complexity and scale often vary by project type. Large and complex new construction projects generally have a lower percentage-based fee due to the higher total project value. In comparison, smaller-scale builds often incur proportionately higher but lower overall fees than large builds.
For example, building a new home often involves the highest total fee because of the project’s complexity, size, and extended timeline, even if it’s a relatively low fee percentage.
| Project Type | Average Cost Range | Construction Supervision Cost |
|---|---|---|
| New home | $140,000–$526,200 | $14,000–$105,250 |
| Home addition | $22,000–$82,550 | $2,200–$16,500 |
| Garage | $19,600–$28,200 | $1,950–$5,650 |
| Deck | $4,400–$10,000 | $440–$2,000 |
| Pole barn | $4,000–$35,000 | $400–$7,000 |
| Brick/stone wall | $3,000–$9,000 | $300–$1,800 |
| Basement finishing | $22,000–$46,000 | $2,200–$9,200 |
| Concrete patio | $1,200–$4,300 | $120–$900 |
| Driveway installation | $1,700–$6,900 | $170–$1,400 |
| Fence installation | $1,600–$3,500 | $160–$700 |
Fee Structure Type
Construction managers structure their fees in different ways, usually depending on the type and scale of the project to best reflect the value of their work. Each of these structures likewise carries different implications for cost liability and predictability for both you and the contractor. Here’s how these fees work:
Percentage: This is the most common structure, averaging from 5%–15%.
Fixed fee: The construction manager charges a set amount for the entire project, sometimes paid in installments according to project timelines. This can also be a set retainer fee, which means paying upfront for the project regardless of how long or expensive the project becomes.
Hourly/daily rate: Usually reserved for intensive or complex tasks, hourly and daily rates vary depending on experience, location, and other variables.
Cost-plus fee: The contractor charges the actual amount of the project plus a flat or fixed fee.
As an alternative to charging a fixed rate over the entire project, contractors may separate fee structures depending on the phase of the project. For instance, they may charge 10% during the design and planning phase and 15% during the building phase.
| Fee Structure | Standard Cost |
|---|---|
| Total project percentage | 5%–15% |
| Fixed fee | Varies by project |
| Hourly rate | $50–$150 per hour |
| Daily rate | $300–$500 per day |
| Cost plus | Actual project cost + fixed or flat contractor fee |
New Construction vs. Renovation
For renovation projects, the manager fees range from 5% to 20% of the total cost, depending on the scope and complexity of the job. Renovations are generally smaller in scale compared to new construction, so they typically attract a higher percentage fee for supervision. Costs also vary depending on the size of the project and the level of oversight required.
Home additions and remodels generally require more oversight, resulting in higher supervision fees ranging from $2,200 to $15,000. Lower-cost renovations such as decks and patios have more modest supervision costs, typically ranging from $120 to $2,000.
Bathroom and kitchen remodels are medium-sized projects that cost $550 to $8,300 for construction management fees, often to account for plumbing, electricity, gas lines, and similarly specialized work. For example, the average bathroom remodel costs between $6,600 and $17,650. Based on those figures, the project management fee would be between $330 and $2,650.
Likewise, kitchen remodels cost between $14,600 and $41,500, putting construction management fees between $750 and $6,250. For a high-end kitchen renovation project, you can easily pay $100,000 to $130,000 for top-of-the-line appliances, premium materials, and a total redesign. In this case, expect to pay $5,000 to $19,500 in construction management fees.
| Project | Renovation Cost Range | Additional Management Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Home addition | $22,500–$74,000 | $2,200–$15,000 |
| Home remodel | $19,800–$73,200 | $2,000–$15,000 |
| Bathroom remodel | $5,500–$15,000 | $550–$3,000 |
| Kitchen remodel | $14,600–$41,500 | $730–$6,250 |
| Basement finishing | $22,000–$46,000 | $2,200–$9,200 |
Consulting with Other Professionals
Some construction managers also function as general contractors, but these roles may be separate depending on the project. General contractors often have higher rates, closer to 10% to 20% of overall cost.
When combined with management, this role may have slightly increased costs to account for additional responsibility and liability. When these roles are separate, the general contractor typically handles the daily construction site logistics and project execution, such as directly overseeing workers and subcontractors, ordering materials, and ensuring work complies with safety and quality standards.
Construction managers often consult or hire other subcontractors for projects, such as a handyperson, architect, structural engineer, or plumber. Depending on the project’s pricing structure, hiring these professionals can factor into the total cost.
| Subcontractor Type | Role/Responsibility | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | Specializes in framing, structural woodwork, and finish carpentry | $75–$125 |
| Electrician | Installs electrical wiring, outlets, and lighting systems | $50–$100 |
| Plumber | Installs pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing systems | $45–$200 |
| HVAC technician | Installs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units | $100–$250 |
| Roofer | Installs and repairs roofing systems | $40–$90 |
| Interior designer | Designs interior spaces, furniture layouts, color schemes, and finishes | $50–$200 |
| Structural engineer | Provides structural design and analysis to ensure safety of buildings | $70–$250 |
| Landscaper | Designs and installs landscaping elements, including plants, hardscapes, and lawns | $50–$100 |
Budgeting for Construction Projects
Construction managers help keep your project budget under control, but other strategies can also streamline your expenses and maximize the value of your investment. Try these budgeting tips for your next project:
Get multiple detailed quotes to best understand what each service includes.
Look for contractors with experience or specialization in your specific project.
Negotiate a fee structure that matches your project. For large projects, percentages or fixed fees are usually more cost-effective than hourly rates.
Simply your project and focus on priority tasks or features to avoid going over budget.
Add buffers to your timeline and budget to accommodate delays due to weather, permits, material availability, or other issues.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
A foreman is a tradesperson who supervises construction job sites and reports to the construction manager or general contractor. These professionals focus on the daily operations of construction projects to ensure safe and high-quality workmanship. They work directly with laborers and other workers on the site. Their rate is usually included in your estimated project cost, along with other labor costs, at $80 per hour and more.
A construction management contract should detail the scope of the project, the agreed-upon rates, and the pricing structure. It should also include the manager’s specific responsibilities, the project’s timeline, payment schedules, termination clauses, and other important information to formalize clear expectations.
A good construction manager has expert knowledge of construction processes, rules, and guidelines. They have strong leadership, business management, organizational, and financial skills. Construction managers should be adaptable and skilled in problem-solving to oversee multiple other workers, materials, tight deadlines, and other common characteristics of construction projects.
Get our Angi-powered app
