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Construction Phase Assistance - Coggle Diagram
Construction Phase Assistance
We are selling our time
Free time spent is you paying a Client
Clients are hard to find, but less hard to keep - Yes we want to keep them happy, but a non-paying Client is unsustainable - Who is the Client here? Who do we want to keep happy?
Setting expectations & the rules of engagement - McDonalds / 2 Minutes Noodles vs Michelin Star. Amazon Prime vs Ali Baba/Temu
Did we give the option for a Construction Assistance Package? Ideally we DON'T want them to take these as it is more profitable - We use it as a line in the sand
Get over the fear and discomfort of asking for money or reminding the Client about the Terms and Conditions of our Services - This just comes with practice.
They NEED us at construction phase - We have the upper hand
All work should be good - It's just how we manage it
Construction Assistance/Issues are a given in our role - It shouldn't be a surprise - Go through in Time Management
Services
Engineering
WHO is asking the question
Owner
We give them one freebie if it's easy (no more than 20mins TOTAL)
"We've helped out in good faith, but going forward this will be at hourly rates etc"
Second Remind them about Hourly Rates or
Make sure the Owner understands the reason for this (Due to construction strategy choses, not Engineering Reasons)
Architect
Are they new?
If they are new, we should explain our Construction Assistance Packages
If they are not new, we should ask how they intend for us to deal with this.
Is there scope creep?
Can the Arch 'Support our Cause' - Can they sell our services and create an additional design programme?
Builder
What details are lacking?
Is a detailed design pack needed? (Others need to be involved)
Have we left someone our?
Are we being paid by the Builder or The Owner?
Has the Builder signed up for a D&C contract? (They take it on from Planning Drawings)
How does the builder want to do it?
Can the Builder 'support our cause' - regarding additional fees and timeline
Party Wall
We give them one freebie if it is simple (No more than 20mins TOTAL)
"We've helped out in good faith, but going forward this will be at hourly rates etc"
Understand our role/power under the Act.
If it isn't our responsibility - Yes we will pass this message on to the BO/AO, but I'm afraid the Act doesn't give us the power to dictate
Has the dispute concluded (Award finished)
We can do that for you, but we'd need to charge at our agreed rates. If you're open to it, then this is something you can agree directly with your neighbour - of course only if you are open to it - we are here to represent you if that's your preference
Is the Dispute ongoing
Is it our responsibility? We are not investigators
Addressing Client's Concerns
What Client's want to know
Can it be fixed
When can it be fixed
How much is it going to cost (fees)
Are there going to be any more problems
Managing the Client
Be Proactive, not Reactive
Can we buy ourselves more time
(Additional input by others, photos, site visit)
Understand the problem - The Whole problem, not just the Immediate problem
Is there a reason (unforeseen circumstances) that this is suddenly an 'emergency'
Do we need to place 'hold points' or investigation caveats on our drawings?
Explain the issue in simple terms to the Client, and also the likley 'fix' - Not in detail - just the likely solution
Additonal Beam
Additonal/New connection
Additional Wall/Retaining Wall
If it's an emergency, then maybe the builder did something they shouldn't have.
Temp Prop
Backfill
Re-fit
Give them a time when we'll be able to do the design and coordinate (they don't need to know how long these things take), as well as the estimated number of hours (don't underestimate). If it's an 'emergency' they might not need the 'full package', you can drip feed instructions then design package later.
Understanding the Client & Original Brief
Weekly Invoices during construction Assistance - If they don't pay/delay payment, we focus on other jobs first
Are there any other items that might come up? Here is where we want to educate the Client and prepare them for what else might happen/need to happen.