Hale’s ability to provide the services that are critical to quality in design / build construction is often the key to the full success of the project. Hale provides these services by carefully selecting and managing a team of design and construction professionals. The critical services provided by this team typically include project scheduling, design coordination between the owner, architect, and engineering specialties, cost estimating, value engineering, and project administration.
This team effort is lead by J. Darren Jones, Vice President of Preconstruction Services.
Coordination
During the pre-construction phase, Hale’s Project Manager will also coordinate and facilitate the communication between the owner and the design team. Channels and procedures for communication will be established early during the design phase to provide for effective and efficient communication between all necessary parties. This effort will eliminate the need for redundant and unnecessary communication and thus shorten the overall project schedule.
During this phase, Hale will also provide advice on the selection of materials and methods of construction. This input will prove invaluable in terms of meeting project schedule and project budget.
Cost Estimating
As design concepts are developed and schematic plans completed, Hale’s Estimating Department will provide cost estimates for each phase of the work. Since a full design is not yet complete, a detailed scope of work is developed providing a narrative description of all construction elements. The earliest form of cost estimation, a feasibility budget, is generated with minimal documents. This information is very valuable early on to insure that the owner’s budget is appropriate for their needs. As the design progresses, the Project Manager, along with Hale’s Estimating Department, insures that the owners needs and expectations are being fulfilled, the project remains in budget, and the overall process is on schedule.
Once the drawings are thirty to fifty percent complete, Hale will provide the owner a Guaranteed Maximum Price. Since the design is still preliminary, allowances may be made for some items that are yet to be determined by the team. The unused portion of any allowance is credited to the owner. Examples of such allowances may include a per-yard material allowance for carpet or a lighting package allowance. However, by this point in the preconstruction phase, the design team will have the ability to solicit firm pricing from various trade professionals. As long as the scope is not significantly changed or an unforeseen increase in materials occurs, subcontractors are expected to honor their proposals as submitted.
Value Engineering
When appropriate, value engineering alternatives can be developed and scope revisions made. Value engineering is a process by which alternative methods and materials can be evaluated. One system, process, or sequence will be evaluated against alternates to determine the most effective choice in terms of cost, schedule, and aesthetic appearance. The design / build team will prepare a value engineering analysis and produce a “shopping list” of alternatives at the request of the owner.
© 2007 Hale Building Company, LLC
