Services
General Contracting
At McGrath & Associates, general contracting means more than just managing construction. We are continuously working to maximize value and minimize risk at every stage of a project. Our team brings over four decades of experience in complex, high-risk settings, and we blend our expertise with creativity, precision, and craftsmanship to deliver results that will stand the test of time. Through strategic procurement, direct purchasing, and our self-perform capabilities, we can guide safety, costs, schedule, and quality from the ground up.
McGrath & Associates:
Building More Than Projects
At McGrath & Associates, we believe general contracting isn’t just about managing construction – it’s about maximizing value at every stage of the process. We combine innovation, precision, and superior craftsmanship to deliver efficient, cost-effective, high-quality results. Our teams bring decades of experience managing complex, sensitive environments across healthcare, energy, industrial, pharmaceutical, and commercial markets throughout the Midwest. We approach every project with the mindset of a partner, using our expertise to anticipate challenges and find creative solutions while prioritizing our clients’ interests from preconstruction to project completion.
Related Services
General Contracting
Construction Management
Design-Build
Architectural Design
Self-Perform Services
A Smarter Approach to Traditional Delivery
In a traditional design/bid/build delivery, many contractors join late in the process, after the design phase is complete and bidding has begun. McGrath & Associates prefers to take a more proactive stance, leveraging our creative procurement strategies and self-perform services to deliver superior value even within traditional models.
- Strategic Procurement: We evaluate the scope of work to be performed then make purchasing and contracting decisions for each portion of the project to optimize costs, schedule, quality, and risk.
- Direct Procurement: Whenever possible, we buy materials and equipment directly, removing unnecessary markups and providing greater value to owners. This also allows for better control over schedule and delivery.
- Early Procurement Planning: Our team proactively identifies items and equipment with long lead times then helps secure them early in the process to keep projects on schedule.
- Self-Perform Capabilities: Our in-house concrete, millwright, steel fabrication, and carpentry teams give us direct control over scheduling, costs, and quality in these areas.
- Eliminate Subtier Contractors: This streamlines communication and improves safety, quality, and schedule control by reducing unnecessary layers between teams and the work.
This creative approach, combined with our immense experience, allows us to outperform typical bid-only contractors on cost efficiency, delivery speed, and quality outcomes.
Estimating Approach
McGrath & Associates’ estimating process is characterized by accuracy, experience, and ethics.
Our estimators use industry-leading tools to develop comprehensive, reliable estimates at every stage, ensuring our clients can make informed decisions with confidence.
- Early Budgeting: During the preconstruction phase, we prepare conceptual estimates using estimating software as well as our extensive historical cost database.
- Continuous Refinement: Estimating isn’t a one-time task but rather a continuous process that evolves alongside design. Our team provides ongoing cost comparisons and value options to guide design decisions.
- Subcontractor Bidding: We prequalify subcontractors, assemble vetted bidder lists, and verify all bids to ensure scope, accuracy, and fair market value.
GMP Expertise
Over 80% of our annual projects are delivered using a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) model. We develop GMPs collaboratively, using side-by-side bid analysis, historical cost data, and market validation to establish transparent, reliable budgets.
Construction Phase Execution
McGrath & Associates combines technology, planning, detailed documentation, and hands-on leadership to deliver consistent, high-quality results. In order to maintain efficient project control, we utilize structured, proactive communication and safety management protocols that include:
- Weekly Owner/Architect/Contractor (OAC) meetings that cover safety, schedule, RFIs, submittals, permits/inspections, and cost updates
- Weekly subcontractor coordination and foreman meetings to ensure cross-disciplinary alignment
- Pre-installation conferences and daily JSAs for all site work
- Weekly and monthly site-wide safety meetings with our zero-incident mindset at the core
- Equipment startup and pre-commissioning meetings that transition from monthly to weekly as project completion approaches
Quality Assurance
We view quality control as a shared responsibility across every stakeholder, from the owner and architect to the subcontractors and suppliers. McGrath & Associates has built our Quality Assurance Program on clear expectations, continuous verification, and prompt corrective action. This disciplined approach ensures that every project meets the highest standards of craftsmanship, compliance, and client satisfaction.
Let’s Build
Experience You
Can Build On
With more than 40 years of experience, McGrath & Associates continues to redefine what it means to be a general contractor. We think ahead, innovate, and deliver better ways to build – using creativity along with an unwavering commitment to safety and detail to provide results that last. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build your next project.