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Organization and thoroughness have been the key to our success and have given us repeat customers throughout the years. This begins with a complete review of the plans and specifications, site conditions, and a thorough review of subcontractor bids. Our bid proposals are based on the CSI with a comprehensive narrative description and extensive clarifications, which helps the owner anticipate some of the unknowns that invariably come up during a construction project. This format also enables us to show the owner material costs, labor costs, and subcontractor suggestions - all of which help greatly during the value engineering period. In addition to this comprehensive proposal we also simplify the proposal into the traditional Schedule of Value format for the lender. On request, we can show you samples of this type of proposal as well as a bid proposal worksheet in the typical Schedule of Value format.
At D&H, we consider effective value engineering to be when preliminary or completed drawings are reviewed by the contractor and subcontractor, and different methods or less expensive applications are suggested to achieve the same quality of construction. The value engineering process begins with a meeting between the owner, architect, and contractor to discuss materials, design, etc. Ideally this occurs when the building concept has been established, however this is not always possible. After this meeting the architect will produce preliminary drawings, which will then be reviewed by the contractor and subcontractor with comments. The process is continued as drawings are developed.
A negotiated bid begins with a thorough and descriptive bid proposal by D&H - based on subcontractor proposals and work to be performed by D&H - that can be used for value engineering and clarifications of drawings and specifications. Then the owner, architect and contractor meet to determine how much, if anything, needs to be cut to fit the budget. This process includes: Generating accurate prices from the plans; developing modifications to the plans based on prices and the owner's budget; providing additional pricing based on budget-driven changes to the plans; and preparing a final bid based on revised drawings. Subcontractors may also be consulted to determine what specs can be modified to fit the budget. D&H then submits a cost-reduction summary to the owner and architect. Plans are then revised as required and D&H reprices the job.
At D&H, scheduling is absolutely critical for a construction project, from preliminary schedules before the job begins to weekly updates for a current construction schedule. We provide schedules showing projects in a daily format in addition to a traditional construction Gantt chart. Although it takes more work to produce this kind of schedule, we find that it helps our subcontractors focus on their portion of the project. It also enables the owner to clearly understand what is happening in the construction process. We can show you sample schedules on request.
In order to maintain throughout the job the thoroughness and organization that is shown in our scheduling and bid proposals, we use a standard format for all weekly construction meeting notes. Our notes always start with the current construction schedule and then address pay requests, potential change orders, actual change orders, RFI’s, submittals, and then old and new project issues. Each item is identified by meeting and section and stays on the notes until an action is taken. We find that this systemic approach helps all parties stay on track and alerts them to any tasks that need to be accomplished to maintain the schedule. On request, we can supply a sample of meeting notes from one of our jobs.
Over the past fifteen years, D&H has developed relationships with reliable and responsive subcontractors. Many are qualified MBE/WBE enterprises. They know that we require their best performance and in turn, we always deal fairly, recognize our obligations and pay promptly.
The cornerstone of our company is customer service. This includes rapid response to all service and warranty work. In addition, we are very selective about the projects we choose, which enables us to give our clients the highest possible quality of service. Within a day or two after being notified of any problem, the job supervisor or principal of the company will meet with the owner at the site to review the condition with the owner’s representative and then schedule warranty work with appropriate parties.