Project Cost Control
The L2e Project Team is committed to providing accurate construction cost estimates that are confirmed by competitive bidding. These successful results are attributable to a number of proven techniques:
- Experienced designers who desire to achieve both cost control and good design
- Cost estimates performed at various stages of the project, schematic design, design development and working drawings, to confirm costs and to signal that changes are required when estimates are too high
- Review of cost estimates and diligent monitoring of on-going costs by top management
- Providing computerized estimating to provide complete and accurate estimating. This system allows for estimating based on historical and actual construction cost data by work item. Utilizing this construction data bank information yields accurate estimates even in the preliminary design stages
Complete and Thorough Contract Documentation
Construction documents having a high degree of accuracy are very important to the smooth field operation of a project. Good construction documents also lessen the necessity for and headaches of change orders. With personnel on staff who are familiar with the problems facing municipalities in the area of building construction, maintenance and repair, L2e is able to respond positively to these problems and effect lasting solutions. L2e takes great pride in our work and we constantly strive to produce the highest quality planning and design services. We will listen to your personnel to understand the project needs and find imaginative, realistic solutions. L2e works diligently to ensure the delivery of a quality product without increases in construction cost due to change orders. L2e designers prepare thorough construction documents that do not give occasion to demands for more money by contractors.
L2e will put its experience to work for you to provide the best in planning, assessment and design. Having architects with first hand knowledge of the techniques and analysis required in large-scale renovation projects, as well as in new construction, can assure you of a product of high quality and an architect that will listen and work for you.
Value Analysis
Value Analysis techniques will be utilized throughout the design phases to evaluate alternative construction methods with a view to their performance, life, maintenance requirements and cost.
Building systems and material selection will be evaluated by value engineering. With this technique and utilizing computer capabilities, various options can be quickly appraised to optimize decision making. Value Engineering or Value Analysis is extremely helpful in identifying and overcoming potential cost overruns. It identifies and maintains the project’s primary function, quality, and reliability while maintaining the overall cost to within the project budget.
Life-Cycle Costing
Life-Cycle Costing is used to evaluate the relative cost of products and systems from the standpoint of durability and function.
This concept was pioneered by the U.S. government and should be a part of any responsible design process. With the construction cost of the project representing only a very small percentage of the total building cost over its useful life span, it is often false economy to select the lowest cost components with potential future expenses.
Maintainability
Ease of maintenance is a primary consideration. All components must be carefully assessed with regard to maintenance issues such as durability, cleanablility, component repair, and component storage. Replaceable elements (locks, fixtures, flooring, ceilings, etc.), should be compatible with those in use in other city facilities.
Inventorying several different fixtures/products that are non-interchangeable creates problems for warehousing and maintenance personnel. Specifying materials that prove not to be dependable or durable will undoubtedly result in maintenance and management headaches. L2e will help the city avoid these problematic issues by recommending inventory standardization techniques that involve the specifying of reliable and easily replaced materials.