MEC&F Expert Engineers : METROPOLITAN “EYES AND EARS” CONSULTING SERVICES (OWNER REPRESENTATIVE)

METROPOLITAN “EYES AND EARS” CONSULTING SERVICES (OWNER REPRESENTATIVE)

BACKGROUND

Hiring an Owner's Representative Project Manager is a growing trend for construction projects -- particularly with today's uncertain market -- because of its potential for large cost savings. For larger construction projects, it is a middle ground between a property owner or manager hiring all of their own contractors, and hiring an expensive General Contractor. Essentially we bring together all the logistics necessary to implement the project.

Owner's Representatives will prepare Requests for Proposals (RFP's), solicit qualified contractors for specific scopes of work, and project manage the process; all on behalf of (and with the oversight of) the owner.

Clients frequently ask us for these services after working with us conducting a Reserve Study, Commercial Building Inspection, Property Condition Assessment or related service. It is a natural progression given that these studies often reveal an immediate need for repairs.

OWNER REPRESENTATION

When you need expert "eyes and ears" on site, we can be your owner representative. In this unique relationship we are responsible to you, the property owner, alone.

As an Owner’s Representative, METROPOLITAN CONSULTING ENGINEERING serves as the owner’s “eyes and ears” on a project site to facilitate project delivery with the highest possible quality, on schedule and within budget. In this capacity we function as an extension of the owner and solely represent the owner’s interest, independent of the design professionals and general contractor.

METROPOLITAN CONSULTING ENGINEERING in the role of project intermediary can make suggestions with regard to engineering, design, scope, contract matters, budget adjustments, proposed changes, schedule changes, and time extensions. We can assist with issue resolutions and answer questions that arise on any given day. We can also manage the project and do all the required coordinations.

We are flexible in tailoring our representation services to meet your needs. METROPOLITAN CONSULTING ENGINEERING Owner’s Representative services may include:

Pre-Construction Services:

Communicate with the Owner, Design Team, Contractor and local municipalities assigning, managing and prioritizing tasks.
Project planning and control.
Lead design coordination meetings between Architect and Consultants to ensure progress and keep design within budget. Track issues that need to be resolved to keep advancing the project.
Prepare clear and concise financial reports so that you know where costs stand and where they are headed.
Provide input on design elements without compromising quality and reliability of a product.
Assist in establishing means and methods of construction.
Work with the design team to develop a comprehensive scope of work for each trade and ensure coordination between Architect and Engineers.
Create and track design and pre-construction schedules.
Assist the Owner in retaining and coordinating the professional services of surveyors, special consultants and testing laboratories required for the Project.
Work with Construction Manager establishing construction methods, availability of materials, labor and other factors related to cost and schedule.
Assist with preparing budgets, schedules and site logistics plan.
Create, monitor and update cost reports keeping track of all design and construction costs.
Monitor and track all logs and correspondence to ensure that matters are dealt with promptly and accurately.
Review and approve payment requests from Construction Manager and Consultants.
Track permits with expeditor ensuring DOB filing and inspections are completed.
Review, determine validity and negotiate change orders from the Construction Manager, Design Team and Subcontractors.
Attend meetings with Owner to discuss progress, identify decisions that need to be made and provide a forecast on what steps need to be taken in the future to keep the project moving forward.

Construction Services:

Monitor project schedules prepared by Construction Manager.
Identify tasks requiring attention and suggest alternative course of action if necessary.
Oversee the bidding process, including participating in interviews with Subcontractors, defining the scope of work for each trade and working with Construction Manager to analyze and clarify bids.
Identify and track long lead items.
Lead weekly meetings reviewing schedule, design issues, quality control and project costs.
Attend weekly meetings between Construction Manager and Subcontractors.
Inspect work in place to ensure quality control and compliance with construction documents.
Update cost reports keeping track of soft and hard costs.
Determine in general that the work of each Contractor is being performed in accordance with the Contract Documents, and endeavor to guard the Owner against defects and deficiencies in the Work.