Construction management
Construction management for condo boards in Edmonton
CK says it is a construction management firm, not a general contractor. On its own description it works for the condominium corporation and its board: it gathers bids on behalf of the corporation, every contractor bid and estimate goes directly to the corporation, and it oversees the renovation from start to finish once the contracts are finalized. This page sets out the steps, who does what on a CK project and the questions to put to any construction manager.
Last reviewed . General information for condominium boards, not legal or engineering advice.
What construction management means, as CK describes it
In the general-contractor model CK describes, the condominium awards the job to the selected general contractor, which then takes over, sets up on site and supplies a construction manager to run all the trades.
CK describes its own role differently. It reviews the scope of work and contacts each appropriate contractor directly, and contractor companies bid on individual trades rather than the entire project. Each contractor's contract is signed directly by the board. CK says it is a construction management firm, not a general contractor: it gathers bids on behalf of the corporation for each phase of construction and, once the contracts are finalized, oversees the renovation from start to finish.
CK's steps, from scope review to site oversight
CK describes its process in these steps. The list summarizes CK's own statements and is not a timetable.
- Review the scope. CK meets the engineering firm that works for the condominium corporation. Deconstructive testing is done with the engineer to fine-tune the scope of the project.
- Inspect and test. Building-envelope inspection with test-unit reporting by an engineering firm.
- Budget the work. Complete budgeting of the proposed or planned work, with every contractor bid and estimate going directly to the corporation.
- Gather bids by trade. CK contacts each appropriate contractor directly, and contractor companies bid on individual trades.
- Report and recommend. CK creates a report of its findings from the estimates, presents it to the condominium corporation and gives recommendations on which contractors the board should hire. The board can review all the estimates rather than a single combined bid.
- Sign the contracts. Each contractor's contract is signed directly by the board, and all warranties go directly to the condominium.
- Work with the City on permits. CK works on behalf of the corporation with the City of Edmonton for building and development permits.
- Oversee the work. Once the contracts are finalized, CK sets up on site and oversees the renovation from start to finish. It sets up schedules and daily progress and, as required, meets the engineer to review site conditions and provide sign-off when rot is discovered.
Who does what on a CK project
On CK's description, the roles divide like this.
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| The condominium corporation and its board | The client. The corporation pays CK directly, the board signs each contractor's contract and the warranties go directly to the condominium. |
| CK | A construction management firm that works solely for the corporation and its board. It gathers bids for each phase of construction and oversees the renovation from start to finish. It says it is not a general contractor and is not paid by any contractor. |
| The engineering firm | Provides engineering services independently and directly to the condominium. |
| The contractors | Each bids on its own trade directly to the corporation, and bills the condominium directly. |
| The property management company | Receives updates on the project from CK. CK says it works solely for the corporation and its board, and that property managers are not who it focuses on. |
Health and safety on site
Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act requires a prime contractor on a construction work site where two or more employers are involved. The person in control of a work site that must have a prime contractor must designate one in writing, and a person who fails to do so is deemed to be the prime contractor; the Act makes an exception for a private dwelling that the person in control occupies. Who is in control of a condominium job is a question for the corporation's lawyer. Contractor bids explains the rule.
CK's own FAQ answers 'We are!' to the question 'Who is the Prime Contractor for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)?' That is CK's own answer, not a legal finding about any site. The answer does not say who designated CK or whether the designation is in writing.
Questions to ask any construction manager
A board can put these to CK or to anyone else it is considering:
- Who is your client, and who pays you? Do you receive any fee, referral income or mark-up from contractors?
- Who signs the contracts, and who holds the warranties?
- Who is the prime contractor for occupational health and safety, and is that designation in writing?
- Which licensed engineer will work on the project, and does the engineer report to the corporation?
- What insurance do you carry, and can you show a certificate?
- What will the board see, and how often: budget tracking, schedule, change orders?
- How are extras for hidden conditions priced and approved?
Which projects CK works on
CK says it works on all sizes of project, from a five-unit condominium to buildings with more than 200 units, and on townhome, coach home and apartment-style condominiums. It says it works on complete envelope projects and on specific projects, such as roof replacements or windows and doors.
CK says it has a program that works with a local engineering firm. The services page lists the exterior, parking and grounds work CK oversees.
Questions boards ask
Is CK a general contractor?
CK says no: it describes itself as a construction management firm, not a general contractor. It says it gathers bids on behalf of the condominium corporation for each phase of construction, that all contractors bid directly to the board, and that once the contracts are finalized it oversees the renovation from start to finish.
Who signs the contracts?
CK says each contractor's contract is signed directly by the board and all warranties go directly to the condominium, not to a general contractor. What a warranty covers is set by each contract.
Who pays CK?
CK says the condominium corporation pays it directly and that it is not paid by any contractor.
Does CK work for the property manager?
CK says it works solely for the condominium corporation and its board of directors. It says it gives the property management company updates, and that property managers are not who it focuses on.
Does CK only work on complete building-envelope projects?
CK says no: it also works on specific projects, such as roof replacements or windows and doors.
Does CK work with engineers?
CK says it does. It says it has a program that works with a local engineering firm, and that engineering services are provided independently and directly to the condominium.
Sources and further reading
The legal point on this page was checked on 30 September 2026 against the Occupational Health and Safety Act (consolidated to 11 June 2025). A consolidation is not the official version, and the law changes, so check the current text.
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (Alberta King's Printer) — section 10, prime contractors; the office consolidation current to 11 June 2025