Do I Need Omega Pre-Construction Services

Not all projects require preconstruction services, but they can be extremely valuable for more complex or complicated projects. If you choose to have Omega Construction guide you early on in the construction process, we will guide you through the project from a contractor standpoint from start to finish. We will work with the engineers that identify systems and structural details that need attention. Omega Construction then offers solutions to architects on deigning around existing conditions, which will help save time and money later in construction.
In most cases, the following items are included during the pre-construction phase, and will help determine project feasibility. We often provided the information in a hard copy via a report, and digital files to save for later review.

1.  Engineering Assessment – This assessment will analyze the existing conditions of the space and determine needs for the project. For example, HVAC, electric and plumbing assessments will be made to determine if they will be sufficient/work properly for the new use.
2. Develop an Initial Schematic Design – Field measure existing space and produce digital files of layout. This initial layout will help clients visualize the space, ensure there is sufficient space for all equipment, furnishings, and required accesses.
3. Preliminary Construction Budget – A budget will then be produced based on the schematic design and engineering assessment. This budget will be based off of comparable spaces, with estimates, and isn’t necessarily a bid. Depending on the agreement, a bid document will be prepared later based on the construction documents, and final designs. This step will also help in financing activities with lenders and banks.
4. Responsibility Matrix – A responsibility matrix can then be developed to help identify deliverable by all parties when the project moves to construction. In most cases, it determines who is providing the items, and who is installing it. For some projects, the contractor, Client, and building owner are the three parties with dependent moving parts. A clear picture ensures a smooth construction project with constant communication.
5. Preliminary Construction Schedule – After most of the scope is laid out, a schedule can be produced, but it will be dependent on final decisions getting made. The preliminary schedule is more of a guide to identify lead times and the sequence of construction. It can estimate days to complete each construction task and help provide a rough idea of when the project could be completed.

OMEGA CONSTRUCTION PROVIDES YOU WITH CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND LEADERSHIP

Along with the valuable documentation and a comprehensive report, preconstruction services give you a dedicated representative to guide and educate them every step of the way. Our certified contractors or project managers can help talk through options and provide recommendations for a successful project. The consultation will help you feel more comfortable with one of the most important pieces of construction. It will also save time over the course of the construction phase and has proven to save money at times through the value of engineering, and/or prevention of issues.

What is Design-Build Construction?

Design-build is an integrated delivery procurement model for capital improvement projects for either new construction or existing facility renovations in which a single entity, working under one contract, performs both the design and construction of the project.

What is the design-build process?

The design-build process initially begins with procurement and the procurement process varies based on state law. The steps vary based on state rules, but there are generally five key phases of the procurement process:

• Determination: The Owner decides to utilize design-build for an upcoming project and establish a technical review or owner committee
• Request for Qualifications (RFQ): The Owner’s representative develops the qualifications package and publishes the notice of the request
• Request for Proposals (RFP): After evaluating qualifications and determining the highly qualified design-builders, the Owner submits a request for proposal
• Qualitative Selection: Upon receiving proposals the Owner’s committee reviews and evaluates, scoring each according to the pre-determined criteria package
• Award: With the scores from the technical review committee, the Owner notifies the winning design-builder

Once the procurement phase is completed and a design-builder has been selected, the execution of the design-build project commences. The design-builder works closely with the Owner to continue to learn more about their design-to-budget priorities, needs, and project objectives. Concurrently, design-build team members begin structural assessments and review any existing floorplans and systems. With a solid assessment of the Owner’s project goals and budget, the designers and contractors work together to design and deliver the project, increasing project efficiency. Construction is not dependent on the completion of design plans and usually happens parallel to design work. Any issues between design and construction are usually identified early on and changes are made collaboratively throughout the process.

Once the project is substantially complete, the design-builder will conclude with a hand-off which typically includes a final walk-through, the transfer of plans and documentation, and any necessary training on building systems.

What are the benefits of design-build?

Accounting for nearly 40% of nonresidential design and construction, the design-build project delivery method hosts many benefits over other, more traditional delivery approaches. In short, design-build is known to get projects completed on-time and on-budget:

• Owner Risk: The owner has ONE contract with the design-builder and the entity has sole accountability for results and performance guarantees. The design and construction team members are contractually obligated to work together to meet constructability within the available scope and budget. The design-builder has the risk for project completion with no change orders within the agreed to scope of work. The elimination of change orders is significant in eliminating unexpected costs and delays.
• Higher Quality: Owners typically work more closely with the design-builder to ensure the project meets expectations. Sole accountability an ongoing owner and team collaboration ensures that there are fewer gaps throughout the design and construction process.
• Quicker Delivery: Projects are usually delivered more quickly as construction features parallel project schedules and rely on continual communication with the design and construction team. Because of continual and open communication, there are typically fewer delays that could impact the schedule.
• Cost Efficiencies: Because the designers and contractors are working together throughout the process, there are fewer changes, fewer claims, and less litigation. Project costs are known much earlier in the process and change orders are limited to Owner requested scope changes.

What is the difference between design-build and other delivery methods?

With the rise of the Industrial Revolution in the 20th century, specialization replaced the master builder and paved the way for today’s more traditional design-bid-build approach. The design-bid-build process has three distinct phases:

1. Design procurement, and construction beginning when an you hire a designer to deliver complete plans for the project. The owner then takes bids from contractors based on those plans and the lowest responsible, responsive bidders will perform the work according to the design specifications.
2. Designers and contractors may have little to no interaction and bear no obligation to one another during the project. The Owner retains responsibility for managing the separate contracts, ensuring the project is delivered accordingly.
3. Instead of segmenting the design and construction disciplines, the design-build approach invites collaboration between the two. Contractors and trades are invited earlier into the design process to make design adjustments accordingly. As such, designers and contractors integrate their disciplines from the outset and are contractually obligated to work together for the best interest of the owner’s project. As a result, projects are often delivered quicker with higher quality, cost efficiencies, and reduced risk.

Is Design-Build Construction the Best Option for my Project?

Design-build construction can be applied to a broad range of construction projects and across industries. Projects can range in size from small residential remodels, to large public school or municipal renovations. At Performance Services, we provide design-build services to education, healthcare, and municipal government markets.

Design-build may not be right for every owner or every project. Characteristics should be carefully reviewed with an Omega Construction representative before choosing a delivery method for your project.

Consider the following:

A shared understanding of project scope – Do you have a clear idea of the project boundaries and do key stakeholders share an understanding of the objectives?

Your expectations for integrated delivery – What is the need to integrate the design and construction phases of the project? Projects naturally evolve and there could be unidentified needs. Design-build allows maximum flexibility to continue design into the construction phase that could deliver a higher quality result.

Your relationship preferences – Is there a desire and capacity for placing confidence in single-source responsibility and a single contract approach? Belief in the team leader’s integrity, expertise, creativity, ability to listen and proven service performance is a critical owner consideration. The real value of a team approach ultimately depends on relationships built on trust and the ability of the team leader to create the necessary synergy that will benefit each phase of the project for the owner’s benefit. Design-Build requires a collaborative, team-based effort.

Adequate resources – Are there adequate time, attention and enthusiasm to invest in a project from concept to completion? An integrated and comprehensive approach requires owner engagement and commitment throughout the selection, award, design, and construction process to truly benefit a value-based, choice-based, delivery method.

Established budget – Are funding limits a factor? Design-Build has several benefits that support a fixed budget, such as ongoing value-based feedback and the ability to incorporate changes without a new contract. The owner’s tolerance level for unexpected change orders should also be considered. An advantage of Design-Build is fewer change orders. Performance Services guarantees no change orders within the agreed to scope of the project.

Established completion date – Is a shortened duration or a fixed move-in date required for the project?

Project schedule overruns are a considerable risk that can have ripple effects on costs and, therefore requires careful consideration. Design-Build features parallel project schedules that enable a shortened project duration. The design-builder is not incented to extend the project schedule.

Value-based project feedback – The owner and design-build team work together from concept to completion to explore options and choose what methods and materials maximize quality and owner value.

Conclusion

With its roots in the master builder values of quality, cost, and design, design-build construction is a tried and true approach to project delivery. Since the 1970s, design-build has been a growing alternative to the more traditional methods of design-bid-build and construction- manager-at-risk. Known for its high levels of collaboration between the project team (design and construction) as well as the Owner, this method outperforms its counterparts with regards to higher quality, quicker delivery, cost efficiencies, and reduced risk.

Building Residential & Commercial Success

Omega Construction Co. Inc. is a comprehensive general contractor that provides a full spectrum of residential and commercial remodeling and building services. Omega offers Architectural Design, Construction, Landscape Design and Landscape Installation services, but it is our commitment to integrity, quality, trust, and client satisfaction that is the cornerstone of all our projects.

• Pre-Construction Services
• Architectural Design and Structural Engineering
• Remodeling
• Additional Dwelling Units (ADU)
• Additions
• Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations and Remodeling
• Historical Restoration
• New Construction
• Commercial Improvements
• Landscape Design and Installation
• Hardscape Installation
• Pool & Spa Design and Construction
• Green Building Practices
• Repair & Restoration Services
• Aging-in-Place Home Modification
• Insurance Restoration