The construction manager can still work with the owner and designer to find cost savings measures throughout the project.
This is a change from the traditional dynamics of hard bid contracting, as it allows the design partners, construction manager, and owner to work together as a team, while still giving the owner full control and final decision-making authority. Open book contracts turn contractors into advocates, working alongside the owner to achieve common goals for the program, design, schedule, building performance, and most importantly, the cost. Open book contracting is an agreement between an owner and contractor that lays out a work or service plan with complete transparency on costs, prices, budgets, and materials.