A Collaborative Effort to Attain Your Construction Goals
Our approach and style in providing full construction services for this project will be to work closely and proactively with the owner, construction manager, consultants, and project team to ensure that the project goals are achieved and exceeded. Vulcan Construction team members have used the project team approach on all of our projects. This experience in providing construction services enables us to bring the project systems and culture necessary to succeed. Owners appreciate our strong construction services as projects are built faster and at a lower cost than competitors.
Our cost control efforts begin immediately upon obtaining the project documents and continue through every phase of the project. We are geared with one thing in mind: delivering the product requested by the owner with exceptional quality at the best possible price.
Early notification of issues either increasing or decreasing the overall cost of the project gives the designers, and contractor the best chance of mitigating the adds and allows the owner the opportunity to take advantage of the savings.
Vulcan Construction recognizes that cost control and scheduling during the design phase of the project is as important, if not more so than during the construction of the project. Our project team starts immediately by taking the lead in establishing design meetings with the designers. The importance that Vulcan Construction puts on these meetings is quickly conveyed to the ownership by the proactive participation of the Vulcan Construction project team.
The owner will be kept appraised of all issues as they arise, keeping with our goal of early notification.
Our involvement in the permitting process is also hands-on. Through our local experience, we have established relationships with members of local municipalities. We will assist all team members with the submission of the plans to the city, to scheduling meetings with all departments to address issues or to give the appropriate department a heads-up to what is coming.
We are proud of our individual relationships with local cities and welcome the opportunity to show what distinguishes Vulcan Construction from other firms.
The approach taken with the design development phase carries through with the creation of the construction documents. By keeping the same team together, led by our principal in charge, we keep the momentum of the design phase through the preparation of the construction documents. Our proactive approach and early awareness increase the flexibility of our design.
One of the primary tasks before commencing with construction will be working to optimize the building from a cost perspective so that the owner gets the most value for their construction dollar. Mechanical and electrical systems are focused on and intensely coordinated to minimize budget increase but more importantly evaluated for potential cost-saving with little or no change to the overall program.
Vulcan Construction identifies early in the project critical items requiring release. We work with our subcontractors in determining lead times and the early submission for submittals for approval to the architect.
The early award and release of the MEP design-build portion is essential in keeping the consultants in check and making the most of “value engineering opportunities.”
Vulcan Construction team members have a strong history of successfully completing projects within aggressive, but realistic schedules. We accomplish this by sticking close to what works best—produce a detailed, workable game plan that all participants buy into, then closely manage the progress of the job to achieve the established goals.
We communicate through a series of developing, monitoring, and updating procedures that keep the project team informed and on track. We closely work with our subcontractors to continually evaluate construction components and systems to optimize the project construction duration.
On this project, we have put a particular emphasis on the following major construction elements because they have the most positive impact on the overall costs and construction schedule.
Interior Finishes
Understanding and evaluating the design intent is key to all of the projects we do. When dealing with any finished product, it is crucial that members of the project team have a full understanding of the products and how they work with each other. Our personnel spend countless hours detailing, reviewing, and scheduling all of the interior finishes to assure that the high quality that is expected is maintained.
Foundation and Superstructure Construction – Understanding the superstructure design and designating the fastest possible construction schedule.
Exterior Detailing
Beyond the system selection, we pay particular attention to exterior penetrations for air supply/exhaust locations and weather tightness of the system. We incorporate the use of respected waterproofing consultants in the Bay Area to assure that we will have no problems with the completed product.
Mechanical and Electrical System Selection, Design, and Installation
Not only will the RFP encourage creativity to optimize cost, but we will continue to value engineer the project through the design process and construction.
By understanding all the issues and incorporating them into our construction schedule, we can put together an aggressive yet attainable schedule that allows the owner to take possession of their project earlier and saves the client dollars in the long run by reducing general-condition costs for all involved in the project.
The personal health and safety of every person on a Vulcan Construction job site is of primary importance; for this reason, Vulcan maintains a comprehensive safety program.
We are fully cognizant that we operate in a hazardous industry and it is our company policy to undertake every possible measure to protect the health and welfare of all personnel. This includes training, equipment, weekly job site meetings, and diligent field personnel constantly watching for and mitigating potential safety hazards.
Our program works because the management insists that all supervisors and employees embody the proper attitude towards injury and illness prevention. This cooperation is integral to the success of our company. Periodic job site inspections and training sessions by our Risk Management Team are important elements in keeping the program foremost in the minds of our employees.
The Safety Manual is mandatory reading for all employees within our organization and addresses all health and safety issues. Our program is strictly enforced with zero tolerance.
All of the Vulcan team members in management positions have received certifications in the OSHA standards for the construction industry 10-hour outreach course.
In addition, all members are first aid- and CPR-certified by the Red Cross Association.
Quality Control
Vulcan Construction believes that quality control both during the design and construction phases is of utmost importance to the success of a project. During design and construction, we continually strive for excellence in quality and product, form, and function.
Quality is achieved in a two-pronged approach. Initially, we instill quality design by selecting materials, equipment, and systems that are best suited for the application. Due to our constant research, we are aware of the newest building technologies available. We also thoroughly review the design drawings to make certain that the quality requirements are carried out in every minute detail.
Once the fieldwork commences, the second phase of our quality control program begins. Throughout the construction period, we practice an unceasing and tireless amount of effort on examining all aspects of the subcontractor’s material and work as it arrives. The project team ensures only proper and correct components are being provided without defect or flaw.
In addition, each supervisor administers a strict program of monitoring and verification including:
- Careful review of all product data, submittals, and certifications for compliance of the project requirements.
- Strict adherence to the testing and inspection program.
- Detailed document control and reporting.
- Daily inspections are made and Quality Control Reports are prepared and maintained.
- All materials delivered to the project are inspected prior to the acceptance for conformance to the project requirements.