While it can be frustrating for an architect to review shop drawing submittals that appear to lack adequate preparation or attention to contract requirements, it is still important for the architect to maintain professional decorum in the review comments. This…
Blog Archives
The Architect’s role at the construction site
As construction began on a building, the architect’s field representative was approached by the electrical subcontractor. The subcontractor wanted the architect’s approval to install all distribution conduit at a specific level and prior to construction of interior partitions and mechanical…
Posted in Construction Administration, Project Management
Masonry Design: Not-Quite-Through-Wall Flashing
Through-wall flashing is a common water management feature of masonry cavity wall and veneer construction. It is most effective if its outer edge is beyond the outer face of the wall and is turned down to form a drip edge…
Masonry Construction: A hodgepodge of reinforcing
A recent obituary (darn those things!) reminded me of an event years ago during the construction of additions to a local school. As the architect’s project manager, I attended weekly meetings at the construction site. During the meetings we talked…
Posted in Construction Administration, Masonry
It takes timely money to make a project go
A project owner was feeling frustrated that the contractor, who was doing work of good quality, was not going fast enough. Considering the contractor’s monthly application for payment, the owner decided to not pay the contractor for the previous month’s…
The Schedule of Values deserves close attention
On public building construction projects (and, possibly, on most private building projects) the contractor develops a Schedule of Values that forms the basis for monthly applications for payment (also known as “requisitions”) that will be submitted as construction proceeds. The…
Monitoring construction progress
One effective way to monitor progress on a construction project is to consider cumulative payments to the contractor or claimed percent complete against an estimated payment schedule that should be established at the start of the project. In most cases…
Seek Early Resolution of Construction Disputes
Early resolution of construction disputes can save a lot of time and money…for all parties. Some amount of disagreement is an inherent and healthy part of the construction process, and ensuing conversations about construction quality and building performance can lead…
