Whether you are looking to have a new home built or you are building a renovation, you may be considering hiring design and build construction services. A contractor who offers these services will be able to give you a cost estimate and help you make the right choices for your project. Having the correct architect is also important. A good architect will be able to guide you through the design and build process, as well as provide you with a range of cost estimates.
Architect extends his or her services beyond the design phase
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Architects are typically found confined to their offices, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t on the lookout. They may be hard at work, but they are most certainly engaged with clients, colleagues, and competitors, albeit in a less than friendly manner. For this reason, they are prone to having a few too many martini’s and not enough beer. It is therefore no surprise that they may have a few extra ounces of O’Hare in their possessions. Thankfully, they are not the only ones who know when it’s time to bet. In fact, the smartest among us would be able to relegate the fliers to the sidelines and still be on the dance floor when the DJ spins the tunes. They are also a tad uncooperative when a tangle of red tape and bad paperwork comes their way. That’s why it’s best to be prepared.
The most apt approach is to make a few friends and a few enemies over the course of the night.
Cost estimates
Obtaining accurate cost estimates for design & build construction services depends on many factors. These include the size of the project, the complexity of the plan, and the quality of the plans. The estimating process involves professional judgment. A firm quote can provide high confidence in the accuracy of the estimate.
Several estimates are typically prepared during the engineering design phase. The first is the order of magnitude estimate. The second is the schematic design estimate. The third is the design development estimate.
Each stage of the estimate requires a different level of accuracy. The earliest estimates are less accurate. The second and third estimates are more accurate.
The estimated unit cost of each element must be calculated to calculate the total construction cost. A firm quote can be obtained from a supplier. This will provide high confidence in the accuracy of the cost estimate. The estimated unit cost is then adjusted to account for construction processes and site characteristics.
Overlapping construction and design
Taking a page from the builder’s book, you can see a number of overlapping construction and design services in the real world. For example, you can re-build the same building using the same quality materials. The best way to do this is to utilize a design-build guru, who can oversee all the projects. The end results are well coordinated, on time and on budget. The best part of all this is that the resulting construction project is done right the first time. This means that you can move on to the next project without the kinks and snags. To top it all off, a tally of the projects can be achieved in the span of a few weeks, whereas with a traditional design build process, this might take a few months at best.
Post-construction handoff
Managing the post-construction handoff is important to ensure safe operations and the proper maintenance of commercial construction projects. Often, the owner may not be fully aware of all of the details and may not be able to verify that the work was done correctly.
Having a clear understanding of the process and the roles of each of the parties involved is the key to successful workflow. This method can be used to streamline the project and reduce delays and costs. It provides a single point of contact for the owner and eliminates the role of a middleman.
A design and build project can be completed faster than a traditional construction project. Because all aspects of the design and construction process are handled by one firm, unforeseen changes or delays are avoided. This method also helps ensure that quality standards are met.
The pre-construction phase involves learning about the client’s vision, financial assessment and capacity, and review of interior finishes. During this period, the design and construction teams develop the project brief and specifications. This document will outline the scope of work and all of the expectations that the owner has. It also contains the cost estimates and the project budget.
