Help please, how do I review factory construction work?
Discussion
Just to be clear, not a full factory, but a modification within our existing factory that is adding a partitioned building and second floor inside our plant.
For reasons I'd rather not go into, I have a meeting with our architect tomorrow having now been given this to manage on behalf of the company. The architect is bringing plans for review and we will be discussing the materials to be used and timescales.
The expectation is that with direction from me the plans will be finalised then sent out to tender for actual construction. The biggest thing I have previously managed is a home extension. I have some doubts about the architects ability/commitment which may cloud the issue, I hope/plan to get these sorted first.
Are there any bomb craters I need to avoid, anything obvious?
My thought is, wall and floor materials, load bearing capacity of first floor. Electric points, network points, lighting, cabling for all of these, air conditioning. It's a fairly basic building with no special requirements, to be used on the ground floor and first floor as a production area but no heavy plant or machines involved.
Thanks in advance for any input.
For reasons I'd rather not go into, I have a meeting with our architect tomorrow having now been given this to manage on behalf of the company. The architect is bringing plans for review and we will be discussing the materials to be used and timescales.
The expectation is that with direction from me the plans will be finalised then sent out to tender for actual construction. The biggest thing I have previously managed is a home extension. I have some doubts about the architects ability/commitment which may cloud the issue, I hope/plan to get these sorted first.
Are there any bomb craters I need to avoid, anything obvious?
My thought is, wall and floor materials, load bearing capacity of first floor. Electric points, network points, lighting, cabling for all of these, air conditioning. It's a fairly basic building with no special requirements, to be used on the ground floor and first floor as a production area but no heavy plant or machines involved.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Firstly, you will need a structural engineer to do the calculations on the architects designs, so that will tell you whether his design is likely to fall over or not.
The other things you mention probably rely more on getting good contractors and making sure that you plan everything well.
The other things you mention probably rely more on getting good contractors and making sure that you plan everything well.
k him off - they know nothing of project management, materials costs, scheduling etcI don't envy your Architect tbh...or is she/he actually an Architect or something else?
What you describe is bread and butter work for any designer with a semblance of building knowledge. I (sort of) understand your concerns as you seem to have been dropped in it. But do you really think you know better than a professional designer regarding wall and floor materials?!?
If you haven't already I would be taking a good look at the brief and room data sheets etc for starters
What you describe is bread and butter work for any designer with a semblance of building knowledge. I (sort of) understand your concerns as you seem to have been dropped in it. But do you really think you know better than a professional designer regarding wall and floor materials?!?
If you haven't already I would be taking a good look at the brief and room data sheets etc for starters
As mentioned above get the architect to provide the basic drawings and a basic spec then put him to one side.
Use those drawings and specifications to go out to tender to a few main contractors. Don't even think about tendering small packages yourself as you'll fail and end up costing more. I don't mean this in a harsh way but even with experience things still get missed.
Tie down your prices with two or three contractors then ask them to produce a list of value engineering / cost saving ideas. Get them to do as much of the remaining design work themselves. You just need to act as the client. I wouldn't get involved in the day to day project management.
All you need to do is hold regular meetings with the main contractor and see where they are on programme. Above all get them to sign up to a JCT contract.
Use those drawings and specifications to go out to tender to a few main contractors. Don't even think about tendering small packages yourself as you'll fail and end up costing more. I don't mean this in a harsh way but even with experience things still get missed.
Tie down your prices with two or three contractors then ask them to produce a list of value engineering / cost saving ideas. Get them to do as much of the remaining design work themselves. You just need to act as the client. I wouldn't get involved in the day to day project management.
All you need to do is hold regular meetings with the main contractor and see where they are on programme. Above all get them to sign up to a JCT contract.
Just a thought but should this not given to someone who understands Project Managing "factory build/extensions"
Example:
CDM
Sprinklers
M&E requirements
Loading of any structure
Evacuation routes
Temp and humidity depending on product
etc
etc
Key is do not assume that somebody else has thought of it and covered it.
Example:
CDM
Sprinklers
M&E requirements
Loading of any structure
Evacuation routes
Temp and humidity depending on product
etc
etc
Key is do not assume that somebody else has thought of it and covered it.
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