Construction Operations

Ch 15

Opening a Project

• Before Contractor is allowed on site it must– Make sure contractor has all required

insurance– Obtain permits– Order long lead purchase items– Check site for storage and work staging

availability– Make arrangements for removal of waste and

surplus materials

• Owner and A/E firm will– Have preconstruction meeting to:

• Identify areas of responsibility• Establish job philosophy• Set up requirements for on site and off site

meetings

– Give a written notice to proceed• Important if liquidated damages are in contract• Gives a start date

• RPR should– Visit site after Notice to Proceed to make sure

that all requirements of contract have been met relating to temporary facilities

– Establish a construction calendar which shows important milestones

RPR Job Philosophy

• Firm but fair– Require proper workmanship and materials,

compliance with drawings and specs– Provide assistance to contractor

• Alert to special job requirements requiring critical control• Provide info that may benefit contractor in completing work

– Valid claims for work should be recommended for approval

– Invalid claims for work should be rejected

• Instructions to Field Personnel

• Pg 399

• Inspector should not get into a routine– No one should be able to anticipate

inspector’s moves– Should be first at job and last to leave

• Administrative Activities– Pg 400 - 401

Suspension or Termination of Work

– By Owner• Can stop work at any time by written notice• Too long a delay results in adjustment of price

– Two major categories– 1. Failure of contractor to carry out orders or

perform a provision of the contract– 2. Unsuitable weather forces a long (oer 30

day) Delay• Suspension of item or an operation• Suspension of entire project

• Construction services Cost Monitoring– Need to keep construction field services

separate from A/E firm costs

• Want good numbers to keep an eye on costs

• Gives a database of costs for next project

Value Engineering

• Fig 16.2 pg 408 – 410

• Systematic evaluation of a project design to obtain the most value for every dollar.

• Can be done at design level but usually most benefit is at construction level

• Contractor knows materials and construction methods– Can suggest better ways of doing things

• RPR generally asked to evaluate value engineering suggestions from contractor

• Can only make a recommendation – engineer is still responsible

Fundamentals

• Function – what is item suppose to do• Worth – least cost required to perform

functions• Cost – total amount of money to obtain

and use functions specified– Includes price of item and price of developing

concept

• Value – Worth/cost higher the value the better the idea

• Value is only added when the item fulfills a function, works to specs, and has a total cost less than the original design.

• Value Engineering Recommendations– Value Engineering Proposal

• Originates from within gov’t agency or contractor. VEP only relates to changes within terms of contract and specifications which would not require a change order

– Value Engineering Change Proposal • Requires owners approval• Requires a change order to do

• Areas of Opportunity– A/E firm

• Pg 415

– Contractor• Pg 416