Project Management
In the context of the traditional construction industry, project management construction as a method of building procurement is
not well understood.
Project management construction changes the role of a builder from an adversarial main contractor who has taken on the risk, to a project manager acting as a full team member who inspires the client, architect, designer, and engineer and trade contractors to work together toward a common goal. Projects are accomplished quicker, better and more economically than accomplished in any other way.
Project management techniques are employed specifically to secure the best value for the funds committed. The project manager assumes the management responsibilities of the main contractor including the procurement of specialist trade services, through direct competitive bidding, at a level not attainable by any other method.
Specialist trade contract bids reflect the advantage of working directly with the client/agent (project manager). With the prospect of improved cash flow, through direct payment from the client, and the consequent reduced risk of loss arising from third party default, being significant factors in their calculations.
Disputes with trades are few and relatively minor. An extraordinarily (for the building industry) relaxed atmosphere prevails between the client/project manager and the trade contractors.
To obtain the best value from the project management route it is essential that the project manager is engaged at the very earliest concept design stage.
The Project Manager
A project manager is an agent providing a fee based, comprehensive construction service to clients prepared to manage some of their risk traditionally managed by the main contractor, the principle perceived risk being the final project cost.
Budget overruns are not uncommon on construction projects whatever the procurement route. To control costs, traditional contracting, depends upon continuing input from the client negotiating with the main contractor, who in turn negotiates with the specialist trade contractors, often incurring excessive non-productive cost to the clients, costs which do not lay a single brick.
A project manager as an agent negotiates directly with the specialist trade contractors through a competitive bidding system. As the specialist trade elements are let and as the work proceeds, check lists are used to verify the work is being done as specified. This is a distinct advantage when forecasting and avoiding cost overruns. Savings on specific elements are often utilized by the client to give added value to other elements of the project while remaining within the budgets. A project manager combines the disciplines of construction project management with site managerial and administrative disciplines of a traditional general contractor. Apart from the obvious economies in management costs and direct procurement of recourses, there is far less risk of misrepresentation of the client vision and consequently a far grater chance of delivering quick, cost effective and accurate solutions.
Project Management
- Attend pre-construction job walk with client, specialist trade contractors, architect and engineer.
- Monitor submittal requirements and facilitate decision making process.
- Monitor submittal log and schedule, and identify critical path submittals.
- Review request for information and coordinate a timely response.
- Review change order costs.
- Periodic job site walk inspections to assure quality workmanship and safety.
- Assist the client in reviewing and enforcing procedures for trade contractors pay requests, including review of general conditions costs, subcontractor billing and completion of work.
- Evaluate allocation of construction contingency & allowances and maintain records of usage and remaining balances.
- Identify long lead procurement items.
- Maintain cost according to project budget, all soft and construction costs, cash flow, commitments and expenditures. Provide the client with a monthly report.
- Review and analysis of project construction schedule.
- Assist the client in the negotiation and evaluation of allowable unit costs, markups, insurance fees and time extension requests in accordance with the contract. Evaluate requests for additional general conditions costs.
- Coordinate test and inspection services.
- Maintain record of certificates and test results. Verify and or witness all on, and off site testing.
- Monitor and enforce as-built drawings and up-dates by trade contractor.
- Assist the client in enforcing all general conditions of contract.
- Monitor and coordinate with the architect and engineer’s assistance the phased turn over of systems.
Bidding and Contract Negotiation
- Review of construction drawings and specifications.
- Review of construction budget cost estimates provided by the client, architect and engineer.
- Provide value engineering review and advise the client of cost saving measures and industry norms.
- Construction review.
- Assist in contractor pre-qualification.
- Review of proposed construction schedule and phasing using the Critical Path Method.
- Assist the client in coordination of all “pre-bid” and “pre-construction” meetings.
- Review bids and assist the client in the selection of contractors.
- Review unit pricing and summary of exceptions, qualifications, addendums, alternates and exclusions.
- Assist in development of construction protocol and procedures, and their enforcement in accordance with the contract provisions.
- Assist the Client in monitoring performance of the architect/engineer relative to construction documents, contract adherence, schedule, budget and scope.
Project Close-Out
- Monitor and verify equipment start-up and testing.
- Monitor delivery of all equipment, maintenance manuals and warranties.
- Guaranties and training prior to building occupancy.
- Oversee completion of as-built documents/CAD. Confirm incorporation of change orders and bulletins into as-built set.
- Provide final accounting and facilitate final application for payment.
- Obtain, record and advise the client on all lien requests.
Our Project Management Services
- Project Planning.
- Proactive LEEDs preparation for Certification.
- Project Organization.
- Project Management.
- Definition Scope.
- Approvals, Permits and Agency Reviews.
- Cost Estimating & Budgeting.
- Assessment of Alternatives.
- Value Engineering.
- Tender Document Preparation.
- Bid Evaluation.
- Contract Negation.
- Material and Labor Scheduling.
- Competitive Materials Acquisition.
- Expediting & Quality Control.
- Site Supervision.
- Weekly & Monthly Progress Reports.
- Photographic Progress Reports.
- Co-ordination with Client, Architect, Engineers, Designer and Trade Contractors.
- LEEDs request for Certification Filing.
- Project Close-out.