Communication is Key
It's been shown that using an industry specific design/project consultant in coordination with a design/build implementation plan yields the highest quality product at the best value. The benefit of working in this environment is the communication and collaboration created from a team early in the design phase.
The following recommendations when applied will improve the likelihood of a successful project.
​
Bring the team together early – Seeking early involvement, not only of the primary builder, but also of key DB or design-assist specialty contractors, realize more successful projects. Engaging the core project team members in the design process, before advancing beyond the schematic design phase, is critical to garner the full value of construction input and to begin building a cohesive project team.
Develop a relational project culture – Creating a culture of trust within a project team will have a higher probability of success. They can begin building relationships of trust through qualifications-based procurement and open book contracting. The use of the same designer and builder on multiple projects, as opposed to low-bid selection on a project-by-project basis, can jump start a project culture by carrying forward existing relationships.
Communicate Expectations – Early team involvement and a relational project culture provide an opportunity for exceptional communication. The most successful projects use this opportunity to set clear expectation at the onset. Treating project goal setting as a team activity with the Owner, designer, builder and key specialty trades ensures team alignment. Similarly, co-location is an essential tool on complex projects to facilitate communication and manage expectations throughout the process.
​
Dental Office Construction Services (DOCS)
saves our doctors thousands of dollars on their projects!
Dental Design Specialty (DDS) consulting provides proper planning and coordination needed unique to the dental industry.
Dental Equipment Sourcing service utilizes industry knowledge to help our clients make more informed buying decision regarding their equipment purchases, solicits multiple providers and negotiates the ensure our customer is getting the best value. Click Here and let me tell you more!
Construction Management agent (CMa) and General Contractor (GC) services provide our clients with the most effective, industry-specific management of their construction project.
Dental Design Specialty Consulting (DDS)
Having worked for 2 of the 3 largest dental distributors, I am uniquely qualified to maximize the benefits to my clients. Typically, they will provide limited levels of services in exchange for you purchasing a certain amount of equipment or products from them and it will be at a higher price than what you should be paying. There are caps on what they will include with hidden fees and limitations on what services they will provide. You need someone to help navigate this so you don't find out after it's too late. You need someone on your behalf coordinating all of these critical pieces of your project. With more than 50 years experience specific to the dental industry, DOCS can help you do just that! DDS Consulting is a comprehensive package of services My start-up clients will save a minimum of $15-20K on total project costs when utilizing the DDS service. SERVICES INCLUDED
Construction Manager as agent vs General Contractor
Construction Manager as agent (CMa)
A construction manager as agent (CMa) is an owner’s representative, and has a contract only with the owner. The role of the CMa is to assist the owner with the scheduling and coordination, constructability review of the design, nonbinding estimating, value engineering recommendations, observation of the work for conformance with the contract, project documentation and similar activities. However, unlike the general contractor, a CMa does not perform any construction and does not hold and cannot directly enforce the contracts of the contractors and subcontractors performing the work. Also, any action on the construction contracts must be taken by the owner.
​
​
​
General Contractor (GC)
The general contractor holds all of the subcontractor contracts and is responsible for scheduling and coordinating their work and their work quality, assuming the contracts are properly drafted. The general contractor will act as a construction manager and can participate in pre-construction meetings under a design/build scenario. Using a general contractor is more likely to mean you’ll have a consistent, reliable crew of workers or subcontractors who are used to working with that GC and team.
​
Bid vs Design/Build
​
Bid
In a bid for services, the general contractor will bid on a complete set of construction documents, incorporating all trades, provided by the owner. Because general contractors submit a bid after the contract documents are complete, there is no opportunity for the general contractor to perform constructability reviews, estimating and other preconstruction services. If there are issues with the
design, they may not arise until after the award of the contract, and often result in disputes between the owner and the general contractor.
General contractors submit a lump sum, hard bid for the project based on the contract documents prepared by the owner. That price is subject to change based on some design issues, unforeseen conditions and/or delays outside the general contractor’s control. Additionally, general contractor are typically not required to include a contingency in their bid for a project.
​
​
Design/Build
Design/Build has been proven to offer the best quality finished product at the best value for the owner. Over the last 20 years, the average delivery speed for Design/Build projects have increased, while still providing a lower cost per square foot and greater reliability in cost and schedule performance. The following recommendations when applied will improve the likelihood of a successful project.
​
The general contractor performs as previously described. However, with a contracted GM percentage, the general contractor is involved as part of the design team from the onset of the project. The general contractor can now be involved in a similar capacity as a CMa, assisting the owner with scheduling and coordination, constructability review of the design, estimating, value engineering recommendations and projection documentation. However, unlike the CMa, a general contractor does perform construction and does hold and can enforce the contracts of the contractors and subcontractors performing the work.
