My Services
For Existing Buildings or New Construction my first task is the documentation of existing conditions of the site for this point in time. We will compile the Existing Conditions Drawings of your site in terms of the architectural features, dimensions, materials and conditions. An overall site survey or engineered site plan is not included in this work and will have to be undertaken by Civil Engineering firm. This survey would include topographic information, utilities and site drainage information. We can request bids for such work and coordinate the engineering if you so choose. However, I do include a plot plan describing the lot lines of the property and the location of the building(s), setback and zoning information. For new construction, a storm water management plan is also required for permits. This must be done by a Civil Site engineer.
Once we have a Program Confirmation and sufficient site data, we can begin Schematic Design. In this phase, we synthesize the functional, construction, budget, and efficiency requirements into a design approach that addresses parts according to a comprehensive whole. The products of this phase are the thinking and ideas that create the design. Those ideas are communicated to you with drawings that endeavor to give you an understanding of the overall function of the spaces and alternative phasing approaches. Construction and will also be addressed with regard to technique, appropriateness, materials and products.
I will meet with you to discuss, modify and develop the design. Through our meetings we will become more definitive and specific about the design and the scope and phasing of construction. The results of these efforts with constitute the design documents and will consist of an overall scheme defined both in terms of budget cost and time frame. The final Design Drawings, while not intended to be Construction Documents, can be used to obtain preliminary cost estimates from subcontractors.
In addition to regular meetings with you, we can offer services for additional presentations to other committees, Township Officials, Boards, neighbors or the design committee. This may require additional renderings and/or models.
After all the major design decisions are finalized, we can commence with Construction Documents for the work. The Construction Documents set down in detail what is required to construct the design, and, with a professional's seal, are required to obtain approvals and permits. The drawings and specifications, which comprise the Construction Documents, describe, locate, dimension, and give physical properties, performance characteristics, sources of supply, and all other pertinent information relating to the elements of the work. The drawings show clearly and concisely the information that will be required by a contractor for making a proposal for and performing construction. The final Construction Contract Amount will be based on these documents.
If the construction is to be divided into phases, this will be reflected in the Construction Documents; the scope of work will be clearly defined into phases and alternates. We will meet with you, and in some cases, your project manager prior to proceeding with the Construction Documents phase of our work so that we can clarify, simplify and streamline this process as far as everyone is comfortable to ensure the smoothest possible construction.
Bidding and Negotiating the Contract for Construction. If you would like some or all of the work to go out for competitive bids, the Construction Documents should be completed prior to the bid process. The Bidding and Negotiation Phase for your project would involve our recommendation of and contacting suitable builders, walking them through the site before they bid, answering their questions as they prepare their estimates, and then helping you to evaluate their proposals. We will review the credentials and work of those contractors to make sure that we would consider them all qualified to bid on your project and discuss their work schedules with them prior to releasing the work for bids. During the bid period, we will field questions submitted by the contractors and ensure that all of the bidders receive the same information. Once written bids are received, we will help you to evaluate the bids to come to a decision with regard to a General Contractor. The Construction Administration Phase for a project of this scope includes the negotiation of the Contract for Construction. In addition, once a Contract for Construction has been executed between the Owner and the Contractor or Sub-Contractors, our presence and involvement with the production of the design is a valuable aid in the faithful execution of the design and the adherence to a strict construction schedule. By making periodic visits to the site, we are available to observe the progress and quality of the work, and helping to determine that the project is being built as designed. To that end I:
- A. Interpret the drawings and solve problems related to field conditions and accommodate changes that may become necessary during construction.
- B. Review shop drawings or other descriptive literature of specific assemblies, cabinetry or equipment submitted by the Contractor, as well as material samples.
- C. Evaluate the Contractor's applications for payment and provide final inspections, punch lists.