Newsletter - Tips of the Month

PHASING PLANS

The Value of Strategic Phasing: Why an Additional Mobilization Can Be a Cost-Effective Move

Shutting an entire site down to save on move charges may be reduce your proposal pricing (be sure to look for # of 'moves' when comparing bids), but for a retail center or an HOA community, that can cause more than just angry tenants, patrons, and residents.

For a retail center, you could face a breach of contract when you don't provide reasonable access during construction and tenants may present "Lost Profit" claims. Disrupted businesses can suffer real financial damages such as a popular drive through being blocked off during the big lunch rush.

Project phasing needs to work around these critical hours to keep operations moving. Be sure your contractor has factored in phasing out the work into sections of your property so reasonable access is maintained, and has provided detailed site maps and phasing plans so you clearly know what to expect.

While each move in charge can start around $2,500 (seal crews) to $8,500+ (asphalt paving crews) to cover the travel time, equipment costs and labor rates for each move, that investment can produce immeasurable value to business operations and residential communities in the long run; and should be accounted for as an important part of the budget.

Also, remember, the earlier you show consideration and communicate:

• The phasing plans (with dates each area will be addressed, available entry/exit points, and nearby parking), the more support and cooperation you will receive.

SCHEDULING CONCRETE AND ASPHALT

• Do Not Schedule "Concrete Tuesday and Asphalt Wednesday"

This could either cost you severely cracked concrete, or the re-mobilization fees and delayed schedules having asphalt crews return at a later date.

Concrete installations such as curbs, need a minimum of 1 week of cure time. If an asphalt contractor comes in too soon with their heavy, vibratory rollers and hot asphalt to pave against the new "green" concrete, it is going to fail.

• Confirm your schedule to make sure asphalt is on the board at least a week after concrete has been completed.

When Estimators, Project Managers, Superintendents are on the same page with this, budgets, schedules, and pavement performance can be preserved.