 David B. South, President of the Monolithic Dome Institute |
Construction
Management
A better way of building
by David B. South
Reprint from the 2001 Spring Roundup
Within the building industry, construction management has not only become a popular buzz word, but an equally popular and advantageous way of handling a construction project -- especially for the client. At Monolithic Constructors Inc. we recently organized a new division, Monolithic Construction Management, that specializes in the overseeing and management of construction projects.
Generally, construction management has three objectives: to allow the customer to control the project and its cost; to provide the customer with knowledgeable advice; to do the day-to-day coordination for the customer using professional administrative techniques.
Monolithic Construction Management adheres to those objectives and adds a few more. Our style of construction management focuses on working closely with design and construction teams as our client's representative. Purpose: To assure that the project meets our client?s expectations, needs and budget. More specifically, our construction manager will:
Act as the client's advisor during the project's design phase by making suggestions, researching costs of considered options, and explaining reasons behind various design decisions.
- Work with the design team in producing and distributing individual bid packages.
- Counsel the client in the selection of a successful bidder for each package.
- Negotiate with subcontractors on bid packages that have no acceptable bids.
- Act as client?s liaison with subcontractors during construction and clarify, change and coordinate as necessary.
- Present any and all alternatives that will enhance successful project completion.
Monolithic Construction Management has experts like Alden Porter who has recently or is currently overseeing projects for the Texhoma School District in Texhoma, Oklahoma; St. Agnes Church in Houston, Texas; Italy Independant School District in Italy, Texas; Avalon Independant School District in Avalon, TX; St. Charles Anglican Church in Grand Prairie, TX.
By working with Alden, officials at Texhoma were quickly able to determine that they could not build the facility they wanted without the advantages of construction management. It simply would not come in at budget with a general contractor at the helm.
When building St. Agnes Church in Houston Alden was able to save considerably on iron work when the bids of Houston suppliers just "seemed too high." He contacted suppliers in the Dallas area and got a far better price. Most general contractors would not do that kind of research.
In February 2001, Alden had 70 percent of the bidding completed for the multipurpose dome at Italy High School, and, at that point, the project was $40,000 under budget.
Our construction managers have the experience and expertise to advise you, the customer, in all phases of design and construction. With our method of project development and completion, you have the final choice of subcontractors, materials and all decisions based on cost. We feel this is the most effective method for success.
If you are contemplating a construction project, contact us immediately so that we can discuss methods and plans available to you through Monolithic Construction Management. We can be reached by phone (972) 483 7423; fax (972) 483 6662; e-mail mail@ monolithic.com.
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