The design/build process with our clients begins with conceptual sketches intended to broadly capture the criteria that will ultimately influence how the building, and its functions, will be situated on the project’s site.
Whether our clients would like us to provide direction to help select the site, or, if the site has already been established, we will use these conceptual ideas and images as a means to give our clients as many options as possible for the project going forward.
The importance of this phase cannot be understated as these represent the first moments to communicate our visions, opportunities, goals and concerns for the project.
Near the completion of this phase, the conceptual ideas will evolve into more tangible images of what the project may look like as we move into the visualization phase.
During the Visualization Phase, the conceptual images are developed into a 3-dimensional model allowing the client and designer to see the project in much greater detail.
“Walking through” and “flying over” the 3D model is an effective way to study previous ideas while generating additional discussions and ongoing design decisions.
The model also becomes a valuable tool for analyzing costs at an early phase in the design process, giving the client and designer an opportunity to verify and reestablish the project’s budget.
Through the use of a related mapping program, the model can be “located” on the project’s site to show the actual context, including adjacent properties, terrain and important geographical features.
Once our clients are satisfied with the 3-dimensional models developed in the Visualization Phase, we assemble a set of highly detailed drawings that will become the documents by which the project will be permitted, bid and built.
The construction drawings, produced in AutoCAD, allow the client the flexibility and ongoing opportunity to make requested design changes as we coordinate additional information provided by the project’s consultants, including civil, structural and electrical engineers.
Once these documents are complete, we will submit them to the local building jurisdiction, working with officials to secure the project’s building permit.
Concurrently, we will provide subcontractors, vendors and material suppliers copies of the construction drawings in order to procure bids and verify actual construction costs as we enter into the Bidding Phase of the project.
As the construction documents are moving through the permitting process, they will be made available to those interested in bidding on the project.
McMahon Design Build, LLC will address any questions by responding to “requests for information” and inviting subcontractors, vendors and material suppliers into our office to review the drawings.
Once all outstanding questions are answered, each subcontractor will determine their costs and provide bids for their respective scopes of work. Once bids are received, we will review them for accuracy and completeness and share the results with our client.
While we award the work to each successful subcontractor, we will develop and execute a construction contract with our client, placing all of the subcontractors’ costs into a single spread sheet that will be accompanied by a project schedule.
After contracts are executed with the respective subcontractors and a building permit has been issued, construction on the project will begin. In the earthwork phase, we will grade and shape the lot while installing the project’s utilities. Always responsible for passing building inspections, we will then pour the project’s concrete foundation and flooring systems.
Next comes the construction of the walls and roof, followed by the installation of the project’s electrical conduit, plumbing and mechanical duct work.
Fixtures, doors, windows, cabinets and other “finish” materials will be installed along with the patios and landscaping.
Once everything has been completed to the client’s satisfaction and the building authority has issued a certificate of occupancy, the project will be ready for use.
