Jonathan F. Tasset, NCARB

Site Selection:   You may be in the very beginning stages of your building process, looking for a site that adequately addresses your organization's needs. Many factors affect whether a certain property is both adequate and appropriate. As an additional service, I can help guide your organization to make an objective decision for it's future home.

 

Master Planning:   If you already have a facility or campus, and it's time to address the needs and challenges that accompany growth, you need to be sure that additions, remodels, and/or new facilities do not create any unforeseen new problems. Also, each phase of expansion should positively engage with previous (and future) phases in such a way that the final result is harmonious and logical, with intuitive access and circulation.

 

Programming:  Once needs are identified, your facility size will depend on how much space is required to meet each need, and address the many complexities of a building program.  For example, are there spaces or facilities needed that are not accounted for?  And, how will each space relate to each other? Programming will objectively analyze each space, giving you assurance that your facility is "right-sized" without under- or over-building.

 

Preliminary Design:  Armed with a thorough understanding of your building program, I'll develop preliminary designs (sometimes with options) for us to review together and determine if the design meets your needs.  At this stage, I'll develop building layouts, and possibly preliminary elevations or 3-D sketches of the overall building form.

 

Cost Opinions:  If the preliminary design meets your approval, I'll develop an Opinion of Probable Cost to see if the building program needs to be adjusted, or if the preliminary design should be modified to accommodate your budget.  If a more precise figure is needed at this stage, I can work with a Construction Manager of your choice to provide a detailed project budget, or even a guaranteed maximum price.

 

Project Delivery Planning:  Once a preliminary design and a budget is established, then it's time to discuss how the building project will be delivered. Do you already have a Contractor?  Will your organization require competitive bids?  Or is a Construction Manager (CM) an option?  Should this building be Fast Tracked?

 

3-D Renderings:  Before construction drawings are produced, you may need to gain the approval of your organization, start a building campaign, or attract investors for your project.  3-D renderings and animations can be an invaluable tool to gain crucial buy-in for your project.  This additional service can be provided at any point during the design of your project.

 

Bid Drawings and Documents:  With your approval to proceed, based on the preliminary design I'll begin developing high-quality Bid Drawings and other required documents as needed (specifications, bidder instructions, etc.) to provide your Contractor or CM with the tools they need to give you a competitive quote that meets all your requirements.  Depending on the nature of your project, I'll engage a team of consultants, such as engineers, equipment suppliers, and/or others to plan all the technical aspects of your project.

 

Bidding and Negotiation:  With these documents completed, they'll be issued for competitive bids.  I'll answer the bidders' questions, ensure bid fairness, and evaluate bids for you to make sure they are "apples-to-apples".  I'll also assist you in negotiating an agreement with your awarded Contractor.

 

Permitting & Entitlements:  If your project is subject to permitting and/or zoning approval, I'll contact and coordinate with the authorities having jurisdiction to ensure your project meets or exceeds their codes and regulations.  As an additional service, I can assist you with obtaining approval for property needing to be rezoned.

 

Construction Observation:  Finally, once construction is underway, I'll meet with you and your contractor on a pre-agreed basis and observe the work in progress to ensure that it complies with the contract documents.  With over 22 years of experience in overseeing building projects, I'll be honest and impartial with all parties involved, and guide any issues towards a "win-win" outcome.