Project Management Ideas to Instantly Reduce Construction Costs

SHAWNEE, Kan. - Sept. 16, 2015 - PRLog -- KANSAS CITY, MO- Exceptional project management is the foundation of any redesign. It involves planning, coordination and design assessment from beginning to end. This is aimed at satisfying the client's requirements both functionally and financially.

If a design-build or bid-build remodel is over budget before it even starts, there are design elements that can be changed to instantly reduce costs. “Evaluating the parts and pieces of a design and recognizing cost savings options is called value engineering (VE),” says Scott Hamele, President of Construction DesignWorks, Inc. “The trick is knowing where to look and understanding what the client's expectations are.” Whether your project is new construction or a commercial remodel, most of these suggestions can apply.

HVAC System
The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is an area that can result in large costs savings. Reducing the number of zones will decrease costs. Can you live with two thermostats in a 1,000 SF space, or do you want one thermostat for every office? If so, it will cost you more money.

Flooring
Even Class A office spaces can offer a sophisticated look on a lower budget. Do you really need that $36 per yard carpet when you can find an equivalent from another domestic manufacturer for 25% less? Higher costs don't always mean higher grade material or longer life.

Plumbing Fixtures
Touchless sink faucets or conventional type? That is the question. Plumbing fixtures have gotten pretty sophisticated and as a result, very pricey. Convey what your real expectations are to your designer or project management team and as result, you could easily cut the fixtures costs in half.

Glass and Glazing
Glass is expensive - period! It could easily cost you three times the amount to include a glass window in your interior office as it does to install a wall. Glass is a necessary design element in many office remodel projects but the amount can easily be controlled and as result save you thousands of dollars.

Light Fixtures
Do you really know the cost of the light fixture that is specified in the design documents? Probably not because it is likely buried in the overall lump sum electrical costs. Electrical fixtures can get out of hand very fast. So watch out. You may be buying a $5,000 fixture and not even know it.

Wall Finishes
That wood accent wall would be eye catching for your office remodel, but you didn’t realize the architect specified Brazilian Ipe with a price tag five times more than a softer, alternate wood product. The same can be said for wall paper versus paint. Changing some products or simply reducing the quantity can have a major impact on costs.

Big Picture - whether it is an office remodel or a new retail building, it all comes down to expectations and letting your design and construction project management team know what they are.

Construction DesignWorks project management team uses its hands-on approach and design expertise to create and build professional interior spaces specialized for each customer. Their complete turnkey solutions align with the unique business needs of various types of real estate including office remodel or tenant finish of retail, hospitality, medical or warehouse space. Construction DesignWorks, Inc. is located at 21961 West 83rd Street in Shawnee, Kansas. For more information, call (913) 745-4727 or visit their website at constructiondesignworks.com.