Construction Project Development & Contract Fundamentals

Module 1: Construction Project Development

Introduction to Construction Project Development

• This module, CM 4306 Building Construction Contract, is taught by Vinny Kaushal, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington.

Development & Construction Process: Project Inception

• A project comes into being when a Developer, Owner, or Governmental Agency identifies an unfulfilled need.

• Common Needs Include:

  • Making money.

  • Requiring a new or larger office/expansion.

  • Needing a new or larger facility, new technology.

  • Developing new schools, roads, bridges, or new infrastructure/upgrades.

Development Phases

• Marketing Studies, Feasibility Studies:

  • Programming.

  • Conceptual estimates.

  • Proformas (financial projections).

• Site Selection:

  • Entitlements (legal rights to develop property).

  • Phase I Environmental studies (assessment of potential environmental contamination).

  • Soil Investigation (geotechnical studies).

Selection of Consultants

• Design Teams:

  • Architect.

  • Engineers (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Acoustical).

  • Landscape Architect.

  • Interior Designer.

• Specialty Consultants:

  • Waterproofing.

  • Environmental.

  • Curtain Wall (building envelope specialty).

  • Commissioning (ensuring systems operate as intended).

  • Green Building/LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

  • Permitting.

  • Accessibility.

Selection of Consultants (Cont'd)

• Construction Team:

  • Construction Manager (CM).

  • General Contractor (GC).

  • Estimating personnel.

• Green Building Team:

  • LEED® Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

  • Commissioning Agent (ensures building systems function optimally).

Other Project Participants

• Super Subs (large, specialized subcontractors).

• Government Agencies – Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) (entities with regulatory authority).

• Subcontractors/sub-subcontractors.

• Manufacturers, Suppliers, Product Representatives.

• Testing & Inspection:

  • Soil, environmental, concrete.

  • Waterproofing/sealants.

  • Quality control.

  • Steel frame, welding, torque.

• Owner’s Representative (acts on behalf of the owner).

Other Project Participants (Cont'd)

• Facility Manager.

• Specifications writers.

• Construction Contract Administration personnel.

• Key personnel from the construction team: Contractor, Construction Manager, Project Manager, Superintendent, Project Engineer, Risk Manager.

Facility Life Cycle

• The facility life cycle is broken down into modules:

  • Module 2: Project Conception.

  • Module 3: Design.

  • Module 4: Construction Documents.

  • Module 5: Project Delivery.

  • Module 6: Construction (Procurement).

  • Module 7: Negotiating.

  • Module 8: Facility Management.

Renovations of Existing Facilities Evaluations

• Site Evaluation: Access, subsurface conditions, drainage, parking, zoning compliance, utilities.

• Function: Assessment of the building's current and proposed use.

• Structural: Evaluation of the building's structural integrity.

• Envelope: Review of the roof, walls, windows, and sealants for condition and performance.

• Environmental: Assessment of environmental factors and potential hazards.

• Systems Evaluation: HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Alarm, Fire Protection, Life Safety, Accessibility.

Design & Document Phases

• Conceptual Phase (Schematic per AIA):

  • Involves establishing the program, initial plans, and elevations.

• Schematic Phase (Design Development per AIA):

  • Focuses on defining the size, shape, and materials for the project.

• Construction Documents (CDs) (same per AIA):

  • Comprises the detailed drawings and specifications used for building the facility.

Design & Contract Development Stages

1. Conceptual: Often informally referred to as the