About the Author: OAC Management
Why Hire an Owner’s Rep?
We were recently asked by an owner to compile a quick response to their stakeholders question of why should we spend money on an Owner's Rep? After compiling many reasons why an Owner's Rep is an extremely important component of any team, we narrowed it down to the top 5 reasons why hiring an Owner's Rep is a wise investment: 1. Independent advocacy (3rd party intermediary) OAC acts in the best interest of the owner. We have no affiliation with the Contractor, Architect, Engineer, etc., but facilitate the team in a manner which advocates the best possible outcomes for the owner. 2. [...]
Is There a Difference Between QA and QC in Construction? And Does It Matter?
Many in our industry clump Quality Assurance and Quality Control together to form the trendy term “QA/QC” (even sounds kinda cool). The reality is however, at least by our definition, that “QA/QC” have about as much in common as a ceiling does to a roof. True they are both found overhead – but – both serve dramatically different purposes and are comprised of very different materials Here’s what we perpetrate as the “real” meaning of Quality Control and Quality Assurance: Quality Control is REACTIVE and occurs after an assembly is put in place. QC is most commonly associated with a [...]
The One Question Everyone Asks
We suppose this question applies to every market sector of business. It has various forms, and can be asked in many different ways, but in the end it comes down to just one thing. Dollars. How much does it cost me? Answer: (We choose to answer this question with a question) Don't you mean "How much is this going to save you?" Let's review some of the benefits a good Quality Assurance Observation program can deliver to the bottom line: 1. It will significantly reduce the number of RFI’s generated in the field thus saving you processing and supervision time [...]
When Your Reserve Study Shows it’s Time For a Renovation…
Your HOA’s Reserve Study indicates that your roof and siding should be replaced in 8 years, but yesterday while walking to your car you noticed the siding is in pretty bad shape. You begin the process of asking around for a good local contractor who can provide a high quality renovation at a relatively low cost. While you receive one or two mediocre recommendations, a large number of friends and colleagues you talk with tell you horror stories about poor quality, faulty workmanship, and the dreaded construction defect lawsuit. How can I protect myself, my unit, and my association from [...]
How to Create a Quality Construction Project (NCAA Style)
Follow-up of last week's Construction Project Bracket - Crowning this years champion...Tags: Quality Construction,NCAA,Budget,Schedule,QAOCategory: Quality Assurance ObservationCategory: Current Events
March Madness Construction Edition
In the spirit of March Madness, we threw together this Construction Project Bracket. Although not a perfect representation, it generalizes our thoughts on which parts of a construction project are proving to be more important than others. While all or the 1 seeds in this years NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament have fallen to lesser known and lower seeded teams, the perceived important pieces (1 seeds) in many projects have not been enough in recent years to produce quality structures. We continue to see this in the skyrocketing trend of construction defects claims, projects that are over budget, and over schedule. [...]
Top Ten Reasons Why Companies Don’t Implement a Quality Assurance Observation Program – And Why We Believe You Should
10. “Quality Assurance Observation (QAO) is too expensive and will not fit into our budget” The percentage of project cost spent on QAO is a fraction of what one would spend if you had a Construction Defect Claim. Not only is it a small cost to ensure that your structure is being built correctly, but it is also important to think about the opportunity cost. Money you would have to spend on a construction defect lawsuit or, money you would spend on a poorly completed project which needs to be renovated again in one year or even ten years. The [...]
Sustainable Quality: Beyond Green
After reading a Bloomberg article on Wednesday, Feb. 9, on Construction Defects, and preparing a presentation for the 2011 IRMI Construction Risk Conference, it has been deemed necessary to blog on the ongoing topic of Construction Defects. We’ll be blogging weekly on Wednesdays starting next week, and encourage your comments, questions, and readership. First of all I would recommend that everyone read the article (here) released on Feb. 9 by Bloomberg, discussing the financial implications of flaws in construction specifically during the housing boom from 2000 to 2005. The article focuses on flaws increasing because construction increased and that we [...]
When We Build, Let us Think That We Build Forever.
When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, “See! This our father did for us.” —John Ruskin (1819-1900) While green building has become a recent trend, we at OAC [...]
IRMI Construction Risk Conference is a Success
Just one of the many publications that Erik brought home from the IRMI Construction Risk Conference Nov. 14-18th. While a large section of this Nov. 15th Engineering News-Record was an advertising section specific to the IRMI Conference, it was still exciting to see a small blurb about QA and the benefits it can bring to all parties involved in the construction process.