PRE-CONSTRUCTION:
Case Study - Mixed Use Project

After working for 18-months with a previously selected contractor, a non-profit developer called us after their budget ballooned from $32,000,000 to over $42,000,000 within a few months. The developer stated that the current contractor could not get the pricing below $38,000,000 with their application of value engineering.

We agreed to review the project and provide a conceptual estimate for what we believed would be possible. We were soon able to confirm that the project could be built for under $33,000,000 with some value engineering. Upon receiving the Owner's direction to proceed, we then met with design consultants and critical subcontractors.

We started by pushing a redesign of the structural system. This involved hiring a new Soils Engineer to provide options to increase the soil bearing pressures. The existing Structual Engineer was then challenged to revise the rigid reinforced slabs to post-tensioned where possible. The resulting reductions in slab thickness and weight, affected column, beam and footing sizes. With the new information, we went to a Design-Build Contract for the plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, and these were redesigned to reflect the actual project needs.

An extensive review of every facet of the project resulted in a Construction Contract for under $32,000,000 while still maintaining the original programming needs and aesthetic design.

continued>