Preconstruction Services

• Offer our services as a resource to the project team in helping to define program goals, budgets and schedules and provide information about current market conditions.

• Explore existing “as built” conditions to assist architect and the design consultants in preparing plans. Make early discoveries of circumstances that may lead to problems and or additional costs.

• Prepare information for making decisions based on value regarding alternative solutions and methods of construction.  Avoid reducing value through the “value engineering” process.  Consider life cycle value and maintenance exposures.

• Prepare a comprehensive construction schedule integrated with the owner’s requirements.  Make periodic updates.  Consider the selected use of prime time and overtime to reduce the schedule.

• Identify shutdown and tie in requirements.

• Assist architect with integrating mechanical and electrical requirements.  Study plans and specifications for inconsistencies.  Assist with establishing architectural finish standards and tolerances for bidding.  Develop scope sheets to assist the subcontractors in their bidding.

• Consider advantage and disadvantages for employing alternative delivery systems for major elements of the project such as mechanical and electrical work, including design/build.

• Prequalify all subcontractors for bidding.  Select subcontractors for type and scale of work to be done.  Negotiate “gray areas” out of subcontractor’s work.

• Take competitive bids in all trade categories.  Solicit bids until at least three carefully considered bids are received in each category.  Meet with the low bidders in each category to review plans, making sure that bids are complete and that the schedule is understood.  Look for ways to save money before entering into a contract.

• Develop unit costs and labor rates for discretionary additional work.

• Identify and order long lead items.

• Prepare a guaranteed maximum cost proposal for the work described by the plans and specifications when they are developed.  Offer a Cost Plus with a Guaranteed Maximum contract to the owner.  Consider a fixed fee contract as an alternative.  All savings to accrue to the owner.  Owner may accept the proposal or terminate the contractor’s services at that time.

• Mobilize for an immediate start up upon notice from owner to proceed.

• Organize insurance and lien release procedures and assist with establishing submittal, shop drawing and RFI procedures that will ensure a quick turn around of approvals.

• Establish jobsite working conditions and safety requirements for inclusions in subcontracts.

• Make the schedule part of all subcontracts.

• Conduct a joint meeting to include all parties to the contract when work commences.

• Coordinate a “post mortem” meeting at the conclusion to analyze and record the successes and shortcomings of the project.

(Partial List)