Faster project completion is beneficial regardless of the building's intended occupancy. In the case of real estate developers, a quick completion means tenant spaces can be sold or rented more quickly. For owners who plan to use the building themselves, a quick turnaround means they can move out of their current location sooner. This brings direct savings if they are currently renting, or the opportunity to sell or rent if they own the previous building.
Complete your project on time and on budget with professional construction management.
In theory, you can complete a construction faster by hiring a larger crew or paying overtime. However, this approach also makes the project much more expensive. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, overtime and large numbers of employees also increase the risk of infection. A smarter approach is to optimize the design and construction process to speed up the project at a reasonable cost. There may also be opportunities to reduce project costs and deadlines simultaneously.
Reducing project delivery time with smart design decisions
Project design is often seen as a necessary and inevitable step in obtaining approval for a project and beginning construction. However, the design phase provides an opportunity for smart engineering decisions, which are beneficial not only during construction but also for the operation and maintenance of the building.
When you work with expert design engineers, equipment layouts and specifications not only consider cost and performance, but also ease of installation. Building Information Modeling can be used to find the ideal layout, and the installation process can be simulated to detect potential business conflicts.
By following a conflict detection and resolution process, MEP engineers can detect problems before they reach the construction phase. Each conflict resolved during the design phase represents a change order that will not be necessary during construction. Change orders waste materials and labor – they can make a project much more expensive and delay its completion.
An optimized project design brings the following advantages:
- The project uses as few materials and labor hours as possible while still meeting the owner's requirements. This also speeds up project delivery, simply because there are fewer materials to install.
- The drawings and specifications consider the construction phase, avoiding layouts that create workflow conflicts between qualified professionals.
- Project design meets local building codes on first submission, or with minimal changes. Experienced MEP engineers know how to avoid multiple reviews with the local building department and obtain the building permit as quickly as possible.
With the current health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, design engineers must also verify that materials and equipment are available before specifying them. Global supply chains have been disrupted and difficult-to-acquire materials or equipment will delay the project.
Using e-commerce in MEP design can also help optimize projects before construction. Engineering services can be ordered as itemized lists, which makes your cost more manageable and predictable. E-commerce also expands the payment options available for design services, reducing the time spent processing payments.
Reducing construction time with effective project management
An optimized construction project is like an instruction manual for rapid project delivery. However, the next step is to ensure that design documents are followed during construction. Clear communication is key: Before construction begins, the general contractor and all trade subcontractors must be familiar with the project documents.
Coordination between specialized professionals is essential to avoid delays and minimize conflicts. Subcontractors must be familiar not only with their scope of work, but also with how it interacts with tasks performed by other traders. A kickoff meeting with all project participants is highly recommended to ensure everyone is on the same page. This is possible without in-person meetings, thanks to modern design software and online collaboration tools.
The coronavirus outbreak has brought additional challenges to construction management. However, technology can be used to complement social distancing measures, significantly reducing the risk of infection:
- Surveillance drones allow for detailed site inspection with minimal in-person interaction. Supervisors can use drones to observe the project from vantage points normally out of reach.
- Wearable technology can help implement social distancing guidelines. For example, wearable sensors can produce sound or visual alarms when construction workers do not maintain sufficient distance.
- Digital construction documents can be accessed individually by site personnel and there is no need to handle paper documents that could spread COVID-19.
Technology can help protect construction personnel from the coronavirus. However, it can also make the overall construction process more efficient while increasing job site safety. Technology helps with effective supervision and communication, which are key to ensuring a project meets design documents.
