Building Envelope Design, Bid and Management
Once building failure analysis and forensic studies are performed and
performance problems are identified and reported, our experienced engineers
and architects at BE-CI use these site specific design parameters and
comparative analysis of design options to develop precise specifications,
plans and details.
Our bid documents communicate the necessary technical requirements sufficient to describe the work required during the construction phase. As part of the bid documents, the detailed description of work, appropriate products to be installed, bidding requirements and legal parameters are defined.
A typical project manual includes the following:
• Instructions to Bidders
• The Bid Proposal Form
• General Conditions of the Contract
• The Contract Agreement
• Technical Specifications
• Elevations, Sections, and Plans
• Construction Details
While documents such as these are not only recommended but required on
larger renovation projects, smaller projects and minor renovations of
limited scope construction documents can be modified as necessary to provide
the specific renovation work required. Construction documents can be abbreviated
to concentrate on only smaller portions of the overall building envelope.
 |
Bid Services and Contract Administration
Bid Services – Once appropriate bid documents are developed, our Project Managers and Engineers solicit comparable and competitive bids from capable, qualified, and reputable contractors. Bid services may consist of conductance of a Pre-Bid meeting, evaluation of bids and recommendation of award to the owner or client, and attendance of Pre-Construction meetings with the awarded contractor as required to discuss project scope and objective, coordinate and outline site and work restrictions and constraints, and coordinate lines of communication and involvement of the Engineer or Owner’s Representative.
 |
Project Management and Contract Administration
Once renovation projects are underway, BE-CI’s Project Managers and Engineers provide Contract Administration services to ensure that the contractor is properly implementing the renovation design requirements. Detailed project management and thorough on-site inspections enable BE-CI’s experienced staff to keep the owner informed of progress and eliminate many of the problems that can occur during a major renovation project.
BE-CI will closely monitor and observe the installation process to ensure that the work is completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with the project documents. BE-CI will begin the Management process by reviewing submittals and shop drawings of the contractor. During the construction process, BE-CI will conduct regular progress meetings, review payment applications from the contractor, provide responses to requests for information, resolve issues related to concealed conditions and change orders.
BE-CI will provide construction observations throughout the project to ensure compliance with the project documents and document the on-going construction. Our Project Managers and Engineers are aware of the communication skills required to thoroughly record project activities and represent the client when interacting with tenants, employees or regulatory agents. As part of our services, BE-CI provides the client with Daily Field Reports (DFR) of the days when we are present to perform construction observations that properly documents the renovation work.
At the end of the project, BE-CI will conduct a final inspection to determine whether punch list items have been properly addressed, issue a certificate of substantial completion, and review and evaluate all warranties for the client to ensure that the contractor complied with all project requirements and the owner has all required warranties. As part of our services, BE-CI provides an As-Built book to the Owner which compiles all documentation created during the project from the original construction documents and bids, to the contract, submittals, shop drawings, correspondence, Daily Field Reports, all close-out documentation and warranties.
The basic purpose of project management and contract administration is to ensure the quality of installation required of the project documents. Regular construction observation and thorough project management is the strongest line of defense against poor-quality workmanship.
New Construction
Design Peer Review – For new construction project for multiple clients across the United States, BE-CI provides owners, developers, and architectural firms objective third party Design Peer Reviews (DPR) of the project construction documents prepared by others. BE-CI uses our expertise in forensic engineering and building failure analysis to assist in proper material selection and specification, conflicts between specifications and drawings, constructability and anticipated performance of proposed details and other recommendations with respect to roofing, waterproofing and the overall building envelope.
Our DPR service results in recommendations to the architect or owners for design modifications, alternative construction materials or products, or construction processes that provide superior performance after construction, as well as extended service life.
Quality Assurance Observations – After DPR are performed by BE-CI with regard to roofing, waterproofing, and the building envelope, and alternative design recommendations are implemented into the construction documents, BE-CI performs third party quality assurance observations. It is always beneficial to have experienced Project Managers and Construction Observers to perform construction observations of the work to assure conformance with approved submittals, and adherence to the specification and drawing requirements. BE-CI currently performs QA Observations for 50+ new construction projects throughout the United States. The avoidance of problems during construction, as well as the overall quality of the finished product pays for itself many times over in regard to the minimal inspection fees extended.