Do You Need a Project Manager Or General Contractor When Building a Home?

By
Moderno Homes
May 8, 2025

Understanding the Crucial Difference

When embarking on the journey of building your custom dream home, one of the most important decisions you'll make isn't just about design or materials—it's about who will guide your project to completion. Many homeowners don't realize there's a significant difference between hiring a general contractor and working with a dedicated construction manager like Moderno Construction Management.

General Contractor vs. Project Manager: What Sets Them Apart

The Traditional General Contractor Approach

A general contractor typically:

  • Works on a fixed-bid basis with a preset markup
  • May have limited transparency in the bidding and cost process
  • Often uses predetermined subcontractor relationships
  • Has financial incentives that might not align with your budget goals
  • Manages the physical construction but may have limited involvement in the broader project vision

When working with a general contractor, you might receive less oversight and fewer options. Their business model often depends on maximizing the difference between what they charge you and what they pay subcontractors, potentially creating an inherent conflict of interest.

The Moderno Project Management Difference

As a dedicated project management company, Moderno offers:

  • Complete transparency with open-book pricing
  • Fiduciary responsibility to act in your best financial interest
  • Competitive bidding from multiple qualified subcontractors
  • Fee-based compensation that aligns our incentives with your goals
  • Comprehensive oversight from concept through completion

Our project management approach means we work directly for you—not for the subcontractors or suppliers. We function as your advocate, ensuring every decision serves your vision and budget.

The Benefits of Choosing Moderno Project Management

1. Financial Transparency and Control

With over 800+ builds completed, we've perfected our open-book approach to project finances. You'll see exactly what each element of your home costs, with no hidden markups or surprises. This transparency typically results in significant savings compared to the traditional general contractor model, often 10-15% of your total project cost.

2. Quality Through Competitive Selection

Unlike general contractors who may use the same subcontractors regardless of fit, we competitively bid each aspect of your project to multiple qualified professionals. This ensures you get the right expertise for each specific element of your custom home, resulting in superior craftsmanship and appropriate pricing.

3. Aligned Incentives

Since we work on a management fee basis rather than marking up subcontractor costs, our financial success is tied to your satisfaction—not to maximizing project costs. This fundamental difference means we're motivated to help you save money while achieving your vision, creating a true partnership approach.

4. Comprehensive Project Advocacy

From navigating complex permitting requirements to managing timeline coordination, we handle the intricate details that often overwhelm homeowners. Our comprehensive support includes:

  • Streamlined permitting assistance
  • Budget development and management
  • Schedule creation and monitoring
  • Subcontractor selection and coordination
  • Quality control inspections
  • Design team collaboration
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting

5. Local Expertise That Matters

Born and raised in the South Metro, we bring over 50 years of combined experience in custom home construction to your project. As one of the largest acreage developers in Scott County, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of building in Prior Lake, Lakeville, and surrounding communities. Our deep local knowledge translates into smoother processes and better outcomes.

The Moderno Process: Bringing Your Vision to Life

Every client has one question front of mind when building a new home: "How do I get from where I am to where I want to be with the least disruption to life and within budget?"

Our project management process answers this question through a structured yet flexible approach:

  1. Initial Consultation: We listen to understand your vision, needs, and budget goals
  2. Pre-Construction Planning: Thorough preparation that prevents costly mistakes
  3. Competitive Bidding: Securing the right subcontractors at the right price
  4. Construction Management: Daily oversight and quality control
  5. Client Communication: Regular updates and transparent discussion
  6. Project Completion: Thorough inspection and seamless transition to your new home

Real Results for Real Homeowners

Our project management approach has delivered exceptional results across hundreds of projects in the South Metro area. Whether managing a complex lakefront property in Prior Lake, navigating acreage development challenges in Credit River, or creating stunning custom homes in Lakeville's Scenic Bay Estates, our clients consistently highlight the peace of mind that comes from knowing their project is being managed with their best interests at heart.

Experience the Moderno Difference

When you choose Moderno Construction Management, you're not just hiring builders—you're partnering with dedicated advocates who ensure your custom home journey proceeds with confidence, transparency, and exceptional results.

We'd be honored to show you the difference that true project management makes. Contact us today to discuss how our approach can transform your custom home building experience.

Moderno Construction Management
Custom Home Builder
Prior Lake, Lakeville & South Metro Twin Cities
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