Being able to effectively utilize the construction bid process properly provides project managers clarity in establishing the scope of work to be performed and the resulting compensation available when the job is satisfactorily completed based on the agreed upon terms. A number of standard components are included in effective construction bids to facilitate a successful and professional construction project. The essential items to be addressed are as follows:
- Pre-Construction Planning: Taking advantage of pre-construction planning enables a builder to set construction goals with a time line for progress milestones and a projected completion date. This will aid in the management of time, draw funds, and Sub-contractors scheduling.
- Project Scheduling: This is critical to ensure correct staffing and monetary allotment.
- Cost Estimating: This is vital to eliminate project over-runs.
- Design Review/Value: Reviewing the design to ensure that the most value is coming out of each purchase and expenditure allows the project manager to notice when unnecessary costs can be eliminated without sacrificing value on the project.
- Engineering: Reviewing engineering specs throughout the construction process enables a builder to have access to alternative ways of achieving the construction goals.l
- Construct-ability Review: Accepting construction bids for a feasibility, or Construct-ability Review enables the builder to stay in touch with the status of the project and its suitability for its ultimate purpose.
- Scope Definition: It is always necessary for a builder and construction crew to be mindful of the scope of the project in order to be able to visualize the bigger picture and the intended end result.
- Weekly or Bi-weekly Meetings Based on Schedule: These regular meetings are essential to keep the crew and various subs in touch as a whole coordinated project.
- Detailed Schedule: This is essential to keep the project moving smoothly and on schedule.
- Updates: These updates are necessary to the cohesive completion of the project by the many different individuals having input on one project.
- Sub-contractors Weekly Meetings (Schedule, Change Orders, Safety, etc): These meetings are essential to ensure that the subs are all pulling in the same direction to ensure timely completion.
- Owner Change Orders- Time Extensions: Any change orders should be managed according to original contract terms.
- Inspections (State & Local): Work to comply with an owner change order must be carefully scheduled into the existing construction time-line to ensure timely and seamless completion.
- Payment Applications: These must be processed in a timely fashion to ensure smooth operations at the site.
- Request for Information (RFI): In the event that information must be requested from local licensing authorities or code enforcement, the builder must have a mechanism in place to process such requests in such a way that the project does not suffer costly delays.
- Submittals- Subcontracts: it is critical to keep up with any needs submitted by subs to enable the project to stay on track.
- Material Ordering: A standard procedure must be established for the ordering of needed building materials. This is critical for working with suppliers and remaining within established budgets.
- Sub Back Charges: Dealing with changes needed to work performed by one of the subs should be done according to a procedure established in the contract hiring the subs.
- Independent Inspections & Testing: Depending upon the location of the project, local laws and regulations will govern who inspects for official inspections and what they are looking for. Much of that will be derived from State construction codes found within the state statutes where the project is. It is becoming increasingly popular in the construction arena for project buyers to demand independent inspections of both residential construction as,well as commercial buildings. These inspections can range anywhere from pest inspections to the detection of hazardous waste on the surrounding property to asbestos in existing structures to completeness of actual structure to drainage of the underlying land. These inspections, where possible, should be dealt with at the time the original contract is prepared.
- Punch List: A punch list is produced after completion of a final inspection. An inspection by a governing authority or a lender will be conducted pursuant to applicable guidelines. An inspection by an end purchaser of the project will be expected to reflect compliance with the contract-to-purchase the finished project.
Issuing construction bids in Kennett Square, PA, is a complex process touching all aspects of the construction cycle. A seasoned builder like First State Contractors will have mechanisms in place to supervise the day-to-day management that this work requires. Call 866-398-9103 or contact us here and get started today.