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Although
our plan reviewing process is an integral part of our
preconstruction and design assist processes, and a proactive driver
in our design/build service, it is also a service we will contract
for separately. The most difficult hurdle to overcome in building
any complex mixed use or multifamily project is proactively being
able to identify and solve problems in the plans and specifications
before they slow or stop construction.
The
notion that the “master builder” project manager or superintendent
can read the plans from the trailer while the grading is underway
and work out all issues in the plans before construction starts is a
myth, particularly where complex projects are involved. These
complex projects take a team of specialists, working in harmony at
the company level and in harmony with the Owner’s consultants, if
the delivery system is not design/build, where most of the
coordination occurs in-house. On large, complex projects we have
found that the most effective process of getting most of the
problems in the plans and specifications worked out before framing
starts is through formal partnering where the Owner, Contractor, the
Consultants and key subcontractors are all focused as a team to
accomplish this goal. With our years of experience with this product
type, we can be particularly effective in bringing credibility to
the claim that if the plans and specifications issues are not
proactively solved in this manner the construction will be delayed
with impacts to all stakeholders.
American
employs architects who are mixed use and multifamily code
specialists to assist our construction managers in reviewing and
further coordinating the architectural plans with the engineering
disciplines. We measure our success on our plan review process by
the number of RFIs that have been issued and answered before framing
starts as a percentage of the total RFIs at project completion. Our
goal is 90% by start of framing. |
