As students look ahead to summer vacation, Lundgren prepares for peak construction time for our school clients and projects. Since summer is generally a low-traffic time on campus, the hazard for students and faculty is lessened and the productivity of our construction teams is enhanced.
However, the typical three-month timeframe often leaves construction teams with a tight deadline for project completion. To ensure an efficient construction process, it is important to think ahead. Is there a five-year plan established?
Having a five-year plan with a total assessment of new buildings, working in tandem with architects and engineers, seeking early buy-in from key decision-makers, and securing early contractor bids can ensure a fluid summer construction process, eliminating the stress of facility managers and lowering the costs and safety risks to students and faculty.
There are two things that come to the mind of a facility manager related to summer construction projects: Time and money. The first step of the process is to meet with the architects, their engineers (and hopefully their construction manager) to discuss the details of the proposed summer project. It is important for facility managers to walk through the schematic design process with the architects. Poor communication may result in project revisions that can cost facility managers more money and time before the ultimate construction process. In addition, facility managers are charged with meeting the needs of the organization as seen through the eyes of the ultimate decision-makers. Clear communication about the design cost beforehand can speed up the summer construction process by avoiding architectural revisions.
Moreover, facility managers should be cognizant that those involved in the construction process, such as the architects, and sub-consultants, run on their own schedules. As Construction Managers, it is our job to build a construction schedule, drive the Architect and marry the schedules to complement each other within the given timeframe. Typically, we suggest that facility managers work with the designer nine to 10 months prior to construction. This is an ideal situation, right? We pride ourselves in repeat clients, and these clients depend on Lundgren Management to advise them.
As construction managers, we can't be afraid to ask our clients if they've started planning for summer work 10 months in advance. Ask if we can assist in coordinating with the Architect. Have they begun schematic design? Do any of their summer projects require DSA approval? Can the Architect get an over-the-counter approval? The construction industry rule of thumb says that approximately 95% of the design work is complete and ready to advertise to bid around six to seven months prior to construction. In most cases, at least over the last ten years, we typically do not have this luxury and proves even further why our clients should rely on Lundgren to keep the project stakeholders on track, allow a better planning process and avoid project delay.
Bidding your Project - Stay on Track & Get the Best Contractors
Spring and summer are generally the busiest times for contractors; therefore, the best time to seek a bid for a new project is during the slow winter months. Normally, most contractors already have their summer plans in line by late winter (February or March). Going into this process in the early summer months could cause increased project bid amounts, have a negative impact on bidder participation and most importantly, cause the construction process to overlap into the beginning of the school year. This delay can pose issues such as construction occurring during the school year, posing safety risks for students and faculty, or even leaving bitter feelings with the faculty and administration.
Planning ahead can ensure a fluid summer construction process. Lundgren knows our clients have a lot on their minds, and by clearly communicating with them early in the process, we are able to keep their best interests in mind as they plan for the coming school year.
