Construction Services

 

PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Feasibility, studies, and design development are supported by our construction cost estimators, who prepare cost estimates for use in the decision-making process. This process starts with planning, and is supported by conceptual or order-of-magnitude estimates. Design then starts with a schematic design (SD) stage, followed by a design development (DD) stage, and culminates in a construction document (CD) state.

 

The intent is to work with the project’s owner to help deliver a satisfactory project that meets the owner’s objectives. In addition to estimating, the preconstruction team participates in design decisions, evaluations, studies, value engineering, value analysis, scheduling, constructability reviews, and more. Design costs, permitting, land acquisition, and life-cycle costs may also be evaluated.

 

CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATING

Detailed cost estimating is the process of predicting the cost of a facility through quantitative analysis of the work required by the design documents.  Although not always required by clients, detailed cost estimates can be an important part of overall cost management and budget adherence.  A detailed cost estimate is defined in the 13th edition of the Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice as “a forecast of construction cost prepared on the basis of a detailed analysis of materials and labor for all items of work.”  It is different from a preliminary estimate of construction cost, which is usually based on current area, volume, or similar conceptual estimating techniques.  Generally, detailed cost estimating is appropriate when documentation is sufficient to properly measure and price individual items, usually during design development or construction documentation.

 

PROJECT SUPERVISION

Projects are assigned to a Project Manager who manages contracts, schedules, and submittals and chairs weekly project meetings.  A superintendent oversees the work taking place on site on a daily basis.  Foremen are assigned to take the lead in specific aspects of the work.