Value added Services

Pre Construction Services

Overall project success is impacted heavily by the decisions made at the initial stages of the job. Qualis is committed to keeping our client’s goals foremost. We provide pre construction budgeting services and work with clients to get projects within their budget. We listen, plan and explore all options so that the proper methods are developed and implemented to meet the project’s objectives. Some of the advantages our pre construction services include:

  • Providing recommendations and qualified information required to make informed business decisions in a timely manner.
  • Providing value engineering options to keep projects within budget.
  • Participating in the project from inception holds all team members more accountable

Scheduling

Qualis develops a comprehensive construction schedule for each project to maximize the control of the job including design team deliverables and client tasks. We also obtain input from subcontractors during the scheduling process. These methods result in a realistic schedule with achievable milestones. This schedule is a roadmap required for success for participants of the project.

Budgeting and Estimating

Budgeting and estimating are essential tools in the construction industry and play a key role in both preconstruction and construction phases of a project. Best practices indicate a project budget should be developed as early as possible in a project. The first budget should be prepared at completion of the architect’s schematic design (SD) phase when drawings are about 20% complete. This limited set of information, is often comprised of simply a site plan, floor plans and key elevations. However, if managed properly, it is a key technique for cost planning in construction. 

Cost Control

The objective of cost control is to manage delivery of the project within the determined budget. Monitoring and reporting expenditures alone does not exert any control over costs. Effective cost control is achieved when the project team as a whole adopts the correct attitude to cost. Effective cost control requires the following actions to be taken:

  • Establishing that all decisions taken during design and construction are based on a forecast of the cost implications of the alternatives being considered, thus avoiding cost implications would cause the total budget to be exceeded.
  • 80% of costs are typically determined by design and 20% by construction. Increased costs on one item must always be balanced by savings on another. The design team is encouraged to design within the cost plan at all stages and follow change and design development control procedures for the project.
  • Developing the cost plan also involves adding detail as more information about the work is assembled, replacing cost forecasts with more accurate forecasts or actual costs whenever better information can be obtained.
  • Adjusting the cash flow plan and cost plan to reflect alterations in the target cost, the master schedule or the budget to cost forecast.
  • Checking that the agreed change management process is strictly followed at all stages of the project.
  • Submitting up-to-date accurate cost reports and plotting actual against predicted expenditures gives an indication of the project’s progress and keeps the client well informed of the current budgetary and cost situation.
  • Reviewing contingency and risk allowances at intervals and reporting the assessments is an essential part of risk management procedures.

Self Perform Work

Through our ability to self perform various trades, even greater value is delivered to our clients. By self performing certain fundamental scopes of work we set the tone and pace for each project as well as offering greater control of work activities. Some advantages of self performing work are:

  •  Budget savings – Enhanced productivity and performing certain work activities in house creates budget savings and puts money back in our clients pockets.
  • Schedule improvements – Greater control over the schedule.
  • Increased safety – We provide a clear picture of our expectations relating to safety and set a good example for other subcontractors and personnel.

Types of work we are able to self perform:

  • Light demolition
  • Concrete
  • Waterproofing
  • Doors, frames, and hardware
  • Rough carpentry and trim work
  • Acoustical ceilings
  • Firestopping
  • Toilet and bath accessories/toilet partitions

Value Engineering

When applied to the construction process, value engineering has enormous benefits for clients. The multi-step process is an integral part the design stage of a project. In value engineering, value is defined as function divided by cost. Concentrating on maximizing the project’s function while minimizing cost generates the greatest value for our clients. Our goal is to create the greatest possible value for our clients. Incorporating value engineering into our design and construction process results in greater added value and reduced costs for our clients. We carefully consider all aspects of the project when making value engineering proposals to each client. We carefully consider and thoroughly explain all options in the following areas:

  • Cost reduction: suggestions of less expensive alternatives to specified materials or systems.
  • Value added: higher quality products that will increase value for the client and overall satisfaction with the project.
  • Life-Cycle Analysis: options that work to create a balance between initial construction costs and the long-term operational budget of the development.
  • Maintainability: recommendations of systems and products that will reduce maintenance costs over the lifespan of the building.

BIM (Building Information Modeling)

Professionals in the building industry are constantly challenged to deliver successful projects despite tight budgets, limited manpower, accelerated schedules, and limited or conflicting information. The significant disciplines such as architectural, structural and MEP designs should be well coordinated. BIM is able to aid in collision detection, identifying the exact location of discrepancies and conflicts, which prevents errors. BIM is a useful tool that helps to minimize cost and schedule impacts.

Quality Control

Quality Control begins with the project team clearly understanding expectations for each element that defines the goals for the project. Our philosophy towards quality is driven home by many different practices and procedures. A few procedures from our quality control program include:

 

  • Pre work meetings to discuss project requirements and quality expectations in detail for essential work activities.
  • Pre start MEP coordination meetings.
  • BIM modeling services to find and resolve conflicts before they become costly.
  • Pre work inspections before ensuing activities begin to correct any deficiencies.
  • Reviewing projects with project teams prior to starting construction and determining the necessary quality control checklists and inspections that should be incorporated into the project schedule.
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Identifying critical phases of the project and determining required coordination meetings that need to be implemented into the project schedule.