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You may have heard this phrase before, but construction is where the land mines are buried. Our past clients have impolored us to feature this service, claiming it's as of as much value as our residential design services. |
S O A P B O X
Not Required (yet), but Highly Recommended
For years, when talking with potential clients, we focused on our value during the design phases as design is our central role on every project, and it's what we were naturally inclined to talk about.
But over the years, our clients have pushed us to focus on our role and value during the construction process. As homeowners, who see their house being torn up piece by piece, they focus on the construction process. Naturally.
To us this notion was eye opening, but to our clients, it was obvious and simple. Help us, they said, navigate the most stressful phase of our project when we feel stressed and vulnerable.
> ARTICLE: Critical Role of Construction Observation
Over the last few years, we have been examining our standard practice to determine whether or not we provide construction observation as a base service on every project.
We don't require it yet, but it's an indication of how challenging the construction observation phase is and how much importance we, and our past clients, place on our role in it.
So, what do we do?
But over the years, our clients have pushed us to focus on our role and value during the construction process. As homeowners, who see their house being torn up piece by piece, they focus on the construction process. Naturally.
To us this notion was eye opening, but to our clients, it was obvious and simple. Help us, they said, navigate the most stressful phase of our project when we feel stressed and vulnerable.
> ARTICLE: Critical Role of Construction Observation
Over the last few years, we have been examining our standard practice to determine whether or not we provide construction observation as a base service on every project.
We don't require it yet, but it's an indication of how challenging the construction observation phase is and how much importance we, and our past clients, place on our role in it.
So, what do we do?
YOU'VE BEEN FRAMED To us there is no more exciting time than framing. For homeowners, the excitement can be mixed with a bit of anxiety as often the real-world results differ from what they had imagined things would look like. When 2D spaces on a page become 3D rooms in the real world, it can often take a moment to assimilate.
I N S I T U
Job One, Site Visits
During Construction Observation, our primary function is to become “generally familiar” with the progress and quality of the work and to observe if it's being done in a manner consistent with the drawings and contract documents.
We are a partner and liaison between you and the builder. Our role is to observe construction, facilitate communication, protect your interests, and generate creative construction solutions.
> ARTICLE: Critical Role of Construction Observation
DLD will also endeavor to guard the homeowner against defects and deficiencies in the work. This is not a guarantee or assurance to avoid all problems or issues related to the project, but it's a promise to exercise skillful and informed observation of the contractor’s work with the expectation of detecting and preventing noncompliance with requirements of the contract documents.
DLD has no oversight authority, however, as construction is the purview of the builder. We don't "run" the project, schedule work, or order materials, nor are we inspectors with authority to direct or stop the work.
It's up to the builder to determine best methods and means to execute the work, but it is DLD's role to insure they are aligned with your best interests.
We are a partner and liaison between you and the builder. Our role is to observe construction, facilitate communication, protect your interests, and generate creative construction solutions.
> ARTICLE: Critical Role of Construction Observation
DLD will also endeavor to guard the homeowner against defects and deficiencies in the work. This is not a guarantee or assurance to avoid all problems or issues related to the project, but it's a promise to exercise skillful and informed observation of the contractor’s work with the expectation of detecting and preventing noncompliance with requirements of the contract documents.
DLD has no oversight authority, however, as construction is the purview of the builder. We don't "run" the project, schedule work, or order materials, nor are we inspectors with authority to direct or stop the work.
It's up to the builder to determine best methods and means to execute the work, but it is DLD's role to insure they are aligned with your best interests.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH Would you want to navigate this alone? Construction is where the trouble is buried - along with wet basements, crumbling foundation walls, and rotting sewer lines. We've been told by our past clients, that our value during the construction phase is at its highest.
Frequency
The number and frequency of site visits varies by project size and complexity.
Sometimes weekly or bi-weekly construction meetings are scheduled. Other times a less structured schedule is sufficient. In the end, whatever cadence works best for the project and team will be established to insure work is being done in compliance with design intent, is on schedule, and is done in accordance with best construction practices.
The number and frequency of site visits varies by project size and complexity.
Sometimes weekly or bi-weekly construction meetings are scheduled. Other times a less structured schedule is sufficient. In the end, whatever cadence works best for the project and team will be established to insure work is being done in compliance with design intent, is on schedule, and is done in accordance with best construction practices.
GO CLEAN YOUR ROOM To be honest, this construction site is cleaner than most people's homes before construction starts. A builder that takes pride and responsibility in running a clean and orderly job site is priceless. Well actually it does cost money, but you get what we mean.
Construction Observation - Scope & Limits
It is sometimes unclear exactly what authority we have during the construction process. To be clear, construction is the builder's realm and they are running the show.
What We Can Do
However, DLD may act on your behalf in the following capacity to insure you are well represented:
> Serve as conduit between homeowner and builder
> Receive and make communication on behalf of the homeowner
> Protect the homeowner against poor workmanship and excess costs
> Visit the site at various intervals [not including continuous inspection duties]
> Observe the progress of the contractor's work
> Verify construction efforts are consistent with design intent of Construction Set
> Reject work that does not conform to the contract documents
> ARTICLE: Construction Process Explained
> Require additional inspection or testing
> Prepare and issue Change Orders to alter scope of work [when all parties agree on amount of additional time and money by which the original contract is to be adjusted]
> Prepare and issue Construction Change Directives [when there is dispute over amount of additional time and cost by which the original contract is to be adjusted]
> Review and approve builder's Schedule of Values [called a Draw Schedule by lenders]
> Receive, review, and process contractor's payment applications
> Determine when contractor's work has advanced to the degree that the project is substantially complete
What We Can Do
However, DLD may act on your behalf in the following capacity to insure you are well represented:
> Serve as conduit between homeowner and builder
> Receive and make communication on behalf of the homeowner
> Protect the homeowner against poor workmanship and excess costs
> Visit the site at various intervals [not including continuous inspection duties]
> Observe the progress of the contractor's work
> Verify construction efforts are consistent with design intent of Construction Set
> Reject work that does not conform to the contract documents
> ARTICLE: Construction Process Explained
> Require additional inspection or testing
> Prepare and issue Change Orders to alter scope of work [when all parties agree on amount of additional time and money by which the original contract is to be adjusted]
> Prepare and issue Construction Change Directives [when there is dispute over amount of additional time and cost by which the original contract is to be adjusted]
> Review and approve builder's Schedule of Values [called a Draw Schedule by lenders]
> Receive, review, and process contractor's payment applications
> Determine when contractor's work has advanced to the degree that the project is substantially complete
BEHIND DOOR NUMBER 2, PLEASE You never quite know what you're going to find once you start the demolition process. 150 years of history are revealed during this kitchen remodel. Some see messy and ugly, we see fascinating clues to the dynamic journey this kitchen has taken over the decades.
What We Can't Do
But we don't have unlimited authority. DLD does NOT have the authority to:
> Stop the work
> Instruct the contractor how to build [i.e. construction means, methods, or techniques]
> Schedule work of contractor or subcontractors
> Change the work [except for minor changes]
> Comment on safety and procedures on site or terminate the contractor
DLD may also serve as a mediator between the homeowner and the builder, relaying design decisions, working through questions and details, and addressing the various construction issues that arise during the project. Some of the areas in which DLD may serve as mediator:
> Accuracy of contract documents
> Certification of pay requests
> Review and approval of work, and
> Substantial completion of work or claims
But we don't have unlimited authority. DLD does NOT have the authority to:
> Stop the work
> Instruct the contractor how to build [i.e. construction means, methods, or techniques]
> Schedule work of contractor or subcontractors
> Change the work [except for minor changes]
> Comment on safety and procedures on site or terminate the contractor
DLD may also serve as a mediator between the homeowner and the builder, relaying design decisions, working through questions and details, and addressing the various construction issues that arise during the project. Some of the areas in which DLD may serve as mediator:
> Accuracy of contract documents
> Certification of pay requests
> Review and approval of work, and
> Substantial completion of work or claims
