Professional Construction Management Services
We Represent YOU!
The Construction Management Services industry is broad and many providers try to be "all-things-to-all-people". Our services are focused on a specific market segment - The Owner - because our experience has shown that Owners are generally exposed to financial damage more than any other element of the construction process. We believe, and our experience has confirmed, that the most successful projects are those that end with all parties having achieved their own goals.
Our experts, led by Mr. Vincent, have personally worked in multiple facets of the construction industry, including owner representation, general contracting, architectural/engineering design, and subcontracting. This gives us unique appreciation of each party's perspective, and ensures our ability to work smoothly and professionally with all parties.
Partnering
Our unique Partnering Process will bring all of the parties together in an environment that will encourage each participant to express their goals for the project and how they intend to achieve them. We will help facilitate the identification of conflicting and common goals at the beginning of the project so that conflicts can be addressed and participants respect each others goals and understand what the expectations are for ensuring that the project is a success for everyone.
Architects/Engineers
These professionals provide unquestionable expertise and technical knowledge that is imperative to the success of your project... But, the fact is, you are paying them to spend your money! Many architects and engineers will design a project with the components they believe you need to accomplish an end result that supports their design. In other words, they don't always design to your budget. We'll work side by side with you and your design team to make sure they understand exactly what your design and budget parameters are - then we'll perform periodic checks to ensure that the project is on track.
General Contractors
"General" General Contractors; "Commercial" General Contractors; "Industrial" Contractors; "Boutique" or "Specialized" General Contractors... You get the idea... The bottom line is you want the best General Contractor for your project - as you judge them, not as they want you to believe with fancy presentations.
We'll help you identify and pre-screen GC's who are genuinely qualified to manage your project - let's not forget, GC's don't actually build anything, they manage the process for you - so we'll help you find one that has a management philosophy that has been successfully implemented on projects similar to yours; who'se reputation among subcontractors is firm, but fair; and who has a history of satisfied clients.
Competitive Bidding vs. Negotiated Contracts
How many times have you heard the cry, "You have to competitively bid a project to get the best price"? Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
Competitive Bidding May or May NOT be best for your project, but before you decide, you need the proper information so you can make the best decision for your project.
We will provide you with a thorough comparison of competitive bidding versus negotiated contracts that will include a review of local economic conditions, pre-screening and pre-selecting bidders and how easily the bidding process can be tainted. We'll even prove it by auctioning a $20 bill for more than $20!
We'll also take you through a step-by-step review of how a direct negotiation with a pre-qualified general contractor works and why it may actually result in a better, more cost effective solution to your construction needs.
If our review concludes that a competitive bid is the best plan for your project, we'll help you pre-screen qualified contractors and help you manage the bidding process from RFP to Bid Opening and Contract Award.
Contract Award
Once the list of qualified general contractors has been narrowed, we'll help you meet with each of the finalists and conduct substantive interviews that will help you find out exactly how the contractor intends to support your project; what their management process is; what subcontractors they propose to use; and other pertinent information that is critical in helping you make the best selection for your project.
Our regional affiliates have the local perspective that will benefit your project!
Constructability Review
Probably one of the most over-used 'buzz' phrases in construction is "Constructability Review". Simply put, design professionals should not be conducting construction reviews because they've never actually built anything. General contractors shouldn't conduct design reviews because very few of them have designed anything - even so-called 'design-build' firms are usually a joint venture between an A/E design firm and a general contractor.
Our unique, multi-faceted industry experience allows us to perform a thorough Constructability Review that interfaces proper design parameters with current construction techniques - and helps us help you understand how the use of 'Best Practices' can help you achieve your functional and budgetary goals.
Change Orders
"Change orders" is probably the most despised and feared phrase in the construction industry. Too many owners feel that they are helpless to reign in change orders and keep project costs in-line with the budget. We'll show you where the 'hidden' profit margin is in change orders and how to prevent them from jeopardizing the financial stability of your project. We'll also participate in change order negotiations between you and your contractor.
Conflict Resolution
Occaisionally, a project gets 'off-track'. This can happen as a result of a variety of actions or events and if not properly addressed, often results in at least one project participant walking away at the end of the project feeling like they failed to achieve their goal(s).
Our turnkey process is how we help you ensure that this doesn't happen on your project, but we have also been consulted and contracted on projects in which we were not initially involved to assist the project team in resolving serious conflicts and getting the project back on track.
We'll investigate the problem and 'dial-down' to the real cause, then make recommendations on corrective options that we believe will resolve the conflict and prevent repeat occurrences.
Northgate International IS the Answer!