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Preconstruction Services Lack Construction’s preconstruction services can range from a basic project assessment to an in-depth life cycle analysis. Our ability to deliver quality, full-service Preconstruction Services sets us apart from the vast majority of Tri-County construction firms. Some of the services we provide in this category (but by no means all) are: - Entitlements - Zoning - Land Use Issues - Design Development - Plans and Specifications Review - City Bonds, Assessments and Fees - Critical Path Method Scheduling - Permitting - Estimating - Pro-forma cost review - LEED® Analysis and Application - Value Engineering - Hard Bid Management - Negotiated Construction Lack’s experience with providing preconstruction services goes back 20 years in the Tri-County area alone. Our past project-base has been extremely diverse and encompassed residential, commercial and industrial building. We have navigated the sometimes turbulent waters to get custom homes, mixed-use and multi-family, residential neighborhoods, office buildings, commercial retail and laboratory projects, among others, through the varying governmental processes and requirements necessary before ever turning over a shovel of earth. LEED® Project Management Lack Construction’s commitment to a cleaner environment for our neighborhoods, communities and the region at large is evidenced not only by our membership and participation in the United States Green Building Council, but by becoming LEED-AP® as well. LEED® (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) “AP” (or Approved) is an accreditation that extremely few construction firms in the Tri-County area have been able to achieve. Lack is proud to be one of those very select few and currently has three LEED® projects underway and several more slated for construction next year. In today’s environmentally conscious world, “green” builders and “green” products seem to be popping up everywhere. Unfortunately, things are not always as ‘green’ as they seem. Since few standards have been adopted, it has become difficult for the consumer to compare Brand X to Brand Y, or Company A to Company B. Nowhere has this been better illustrated than in the building industry. In recent years, however, that has begun to change. With the establishment of the United States Green Building Council in 1993, the need for standards, guidelines and building metrics inaugurated the formation of a committee to study, evaluate and propose some form of protocol that would address those needs. The result was the LEED Green Building Rating System™ which has set the standard for sustainable building in the industry and across the nation. And the building industry has embraced the system wholeheartedly. Thousands of projects have been completed and hundreds more are currently underway using the LEED Green Building Rating System™ as their building model. Low-rise, to high-rise, new construction to renovation and remodel, office space, restaurants, hotels, schools, universities and entire neighborhoods are seeking LEED® certification. Building owners and property managers have seen not only the environmental benefits of building to LEED® specifications, but the very real economic benefits as well. While a LEED® project does not have to cost significantly more than traditional construction (from 1% to 4%), to obtain the distinguished LEED® rating requires some diligent planning, management and execution. By investing the time and resources to earn the LEED-AP® accreditation, Lack Construction has clearly demonstrated a knowledge-base beyond our colleagues. We believe we have also demonstrated our commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more vital quality of life in our community as well. When all is said and done, if you choose to “go green,” go with LEED®. And if you choose LEED®, choose Lack. Or as we say around here, LEED® with Lack. Construction Project Management Lack Construction’s approach to construction project management is to adopt the viewpoint of the client, making him the ultimate stakeholder for the project. To do this successfully, Lack must first gain the client’s or stakeholder’s feedback to clearly define the goals of the project and the metrics by which the client will measure how successful the project was when completed. With those goals clearly in mind, Lack will then concentrate its full attention on the entire process of construction project management, not just narrowly focusing on the roles of individual specialists, such as planners, architects, engineers, designers, constructors, suppliers and financial analysts and institutions. While the contribution of each is vital to the successful completion of the project, Lack understands how, and when, each of the various and distinctive parts of the process intermesh in the project life cycle and develop the methodology to actively engage, and coordinate, the project’s team members. By eliminating the possibility of poor communication and coordination between specialists, we eliminate waste and promote efficiency, thus reducing or eliminating cost overruns and project delays. Often the greatest stumbling block to effective and dynamic construction management is the inertia and divisions that can occur between planners, designers and constructors. Our broadly experienced team knows and employs the fundamental principles of design and management and applies those skills to all new projects. Our Project Managers also possess the leadership qualities and organizational abilities to effectively navigate the intricate interpersonal relations within an organization so that the client can always rest assured that the authority they have assigned to Lack will always be utilized with their best interest foremost in mind. Finally, Lack Construction’s Project Managers do not work in a vacuum. Weekly “Operations” meetings are held to update every member of the team on all current projects within the Lack portfolio. Means and methods are discussed to resolve any specific project’s problems efficiently, effectively and economically. Wherever possible, any possibility of a future problem is addressed before it happens. While each member of the team “takes possession” of his or her projects, the whole team is always available for support, whenever and wherever needed. The Project Management Team is led by Tom Coalson, our Vice President. Tom’s 35 years of industry experience has given him the finely honed skills necessary to lead and implement company policy relating to Lack’s Project Management portfolio. He has earned the internationally recognized accreditation of Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute. His formal and continuing training in this field, as well as his lengthy and seasoned experience has made him a valuable asset in Lack’s ongoing efforts to provide only the best and brightest to our clientele. Estimating Lack Construction understands that time is money. Schedules are developed for each project along with our estimates that reflect the projects specific needs. These pieces of information are reviewed and carefully examined until comprehensive component costs are in line with the budget. Our accountability to our estimates of both time and costs start from within the organization. Construction Build-Out Lack Construction realizes that the majority of the work on any project will be performed by subcontractors and places special emphasis on ensuring the qualification of the subcontractors and suppliers. Their efforts will play a major role in determining the quality of the completed project. We make certain that they are not only qualified to do the effort but also on board the team for cost and schedule through our contract/purchase order and cost control systems. Weekly meetings are held at each project. This meeting includes representatives from the owner, architect, LCI, equipment suppliers, subcontractors and vendors. Quality, safety and coordination along with goals are addressed so that the entire team is sensitive of the schedule. The completion of a quality project is as important to Lack Construction as it is to our clients. The assigned project manager and project superintendent ensure that quality control is maintained throughout the course of the project. All operations personal know that the primary emphasis is on the quality our clients deserve. The tone is set from the onset for a high quality project. Our cost control system is computer-based and provides Lack Construction timely and accurate cost information. The basic cost control starts from the estimate. The project manager constantly compares the expenditures to the estimate. The continuous cost management ensures accuracy of final projections. Although a preliminary project schedule was developed at the onset with the estimate, it is usually only a simple precedence diagram showing only the project's major components. As the design becomes formal, a computer generated master schedule is developed based upon input from the assigned project manager and project superintendent with advice from the other building team members including the client. This master schedule is updated as the project progresses and compared to the baseline schedule with the client kept aware of the status. Construction Document Control Changes can happen in any project. Making certain that the plans and specifications are accurate and reflect the "as-built" information is especially important to guarantee completion is not delayed. The project manager and project superintendent maintain a complete working knowledge of the documentation and are kept up-to-date. The close working relationship with the project architect and engineer guarantee that the details are documented completely. Post Construction Services Our job does not end when the paint dries. Key personnel remain with the project to ensure the smooth transition to the owner. We ensure that all inspections and recordings are completed and remain active at the site until the facility is ready to be occupied. The only way we can reach our goal of complete owner satisfaction is proactively managing the preconstruction, construction, and post construction process. |