Design Construction Documentation Services
- Develop and refine project design requirements (program, Design Standards, etc.) in coordination and consultation with owner.
- Coordinate design reviews with Owner and design team. At the conclusion of each design phase, confirm with Owner’s approval prior to directing the design team to proceed with the next phase.
- Monitor and administer design contracts as to, timeliness of performance, payment, compliance with contract requirements, etc. Provide recommendations to Owner as to the status of the contracts.
- Coordinate plan and specification review with the Contractor for constructability, completeness, clarity, lack of ambiguity, coordination, etc. Provide updates to Owner as to the status of the plans and specifications.
- Assist the Owner in coordinating with and obtaining all necessary design approvals from the relevant governmental jurisdiction(s), public agencies, community interest groups, etc. as to the approval of plans from the Department of Buildings.
- Update and expand the Master Milestone Schedule to include milestone activities for each of the design phases, permits and approvals, the bidding or negotiation of construction contracts, construction, and the purchase, fabrication, inspection, delivery, and installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
- Report on all activities which are on or behind schedule, and recommend corrective action as required.
- As design progresses and as each design phase is completed, update Project Cost estimates for comparison with the Owner’s approved Project Cost budget.
- Coordinate and direct Contractor to estimate the cost of alternative finishes and/or systems in order to finalize selections prior to construction documentation.
- Work with Owner, Contractor and Consultants to identify areas for value engineering study as the design progresses. Where energy, maintenance, and operational considerations dictate, coordinate and direct the Contractor and Consultants to perform life-cycle costing studies to evaluate the most cost-effective option(s).
- Work with Owner, Contractor and Consultants to monitor the local and national construction markets for rates of cost inflation for and the availability of labor, materials, and equipment. Update Project Cost budgets accordingly.
- Advise on contract provisions for controlling construction schedules. Advise on special and general conditions sections and other specifications.
- Investigate and pre-qualify contractors and manufacturers interested in bidding the work. Review plans with them and promote their interest in the project.
- Recommend the division of work into separate contracts to permit phasing. Consider such factors as construction durations, construction document preparation, long-lead-time materials and equipment, labor availability, trade jurisdictions, and interface problems between contractors.
- Identify materials and equipment which require long delivery times and are critical to the progress of the work. If in the Owner’s best interest to do so, recommend and develop a strategy for purchasing these items directly and later assigning them to a contractor.
- Analyze Project program, quality, cost, and schedule requirements. Evaluate operational and legal constraints. Recommend a design and construction strategy that best addresses all of these issues.
- Prepare for Owner’s review and approval a Project Cost estimate based upon a statistical analysis of completed projects adjusted for current market conditions. Such estimate should clearly identify all necessary categories of cost including, but not necessarily limited to, all professional fees (e.g. design, consultants, project management, legal, etc.), construction, testing, landscaping, furnishings, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E)”, including taxes, freight and storage, and contingencies.
- Prepare the Master Milestone Schedule showing duration/phasing, responsibility, and precedence for all major activities. Establish the duration of the Project and identify the most critical activities. Update and expand the level of detail as the Project progresses. Detailed construction schedule will be by the Construction Manager or the General Contractor.
- Identify, monitor, and report on the status of key decisions and issues which will influence the progress of the Project.
- Identify all critical Project constituents as well as all approvals and permits required to be obtained from the relevant governmental jurisdiction(s), public agencies, community interest groups, etc.
- Determine necessary design team members, qualify and recommend potential firms, prepare and issue requests for proposals, receive and evaluate written proposals, and conduct interviews to assist the Owner in selecting the Architect/Expeditor, Contractor, FFE Purchasing Agent, FFE Installer(s), and other consultants as required. Assist Owner in the negotiation of these contracts.
- Review existing conditions and available documentation of the same. Identify additional research, studies, surveys, etc. required, and with Owner’s approval coordinate the procurement of the same.
- Identify and help define the systems and tools that will be used to communicate, monitor, and control the Project.