Experts claim that a form of Construction Management (CM) construction delivery was used in ancient times as far back as the pyramids. However, according to Construction Management Association of America, CM became known as a distinctive construction delivery option in the 1960s1. The need for a new construction delivery method at that time was due to more “sophisticated” systems being designed for large, complicated buildings and stricter regulations. It was a growth time for the HVAC industry with the introduction of air conditioning and computerized control systems2. More complex applications increased the role of the contractor to be more involved with the “specification of equipment and parts”. There eventually was a shortage of HVAC installers and with the increased desire for air conditioning, shoddy applications led to many problems. A problem which was well suited for CM advocacy between the Designer and the Contractor.
Posts about the Wolgast Way (5)
The Benefit of Design Build Phase I Drawings
Preliminary plans, such as those provided in a Phase I of the Design-Build process, are the most efficient and economical means to determine the budget for your construction project.
While there has been a shift in the numbers1, there are still many business owners out there who are skeptical of the Design-Build method of construction. They are more familiar with the traditional Design-Bid/Build method where they hire an architect, then have general contractors competitively bid the project, and the contractor with the best price/value builds the project.
The Story of Wolgast’s Speed
Speed is one of the most coveted aspects when it comes to commercial construction and nothing improves speed like doing a project right the first time. You could argue that cutting corners can sometimes make it faster, and that’s true until it causes rework, back tracking, or failures down the road. Our founder, Jerry Wolgast, had the philosophy of “do it right the first time” and that is still instilled in us today. However, we have implemented programs to help us consistently meet or exceed our deadlines rather than just hope that everything falls into place.
How Employee-Owned Companies Deliver Reliable Results
Companies that offer an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for their staff members provide an opportunity for their workforce to have a vested interest in their success. By virtue this creates a long-term incentive for employees to stay with the company and an eagerness to make the company even more successful.
Construction Broker Service Compared to Professional Construction
As construction broker companies continue to pop up, they’re coming up short compared to a Design-Build – General Construction (DB-GC) Firm in many important areas for project success. DB-GCs provide much more control over the schedule and the budget on your project versus a construction services broker.
Medical Office Design and Construction for Savvy Docs
For over 70 years, Wolgast has developed specialty design and construction services for Medical Practitioners and efficient use of their space. We keep in mind the patient flow, staff flow, regulatory requirements, and design elements for comfort for all. Please view the short video linked above that displays our experience and abilities to make your space great for everyone who uses it.
How Much Will a Phase I Save Me on Architectural Costs?
Short answer is roughly 20% or more. Through a number of cost saving opportunities, the Design/Build Phased Approach to construction can be the most economical cost- and time-wise, not only saving on Architectural services, but also on the overall construction budget.
How to Franchise a Restaurant from a Construction Perspective
Franchising a new business is exciting, but it also requires a significant amount of forethought to prepare for a variety of scenarios that a franchisee could encounter. Obviously, your lawyer and consultants can provide the legal and contractual elements of franchising, but as a restaurant construction specialist, we’re more versed with the building design and construction details that you’ll need to establish. Below we offer advice for you to consider during restaurant franchise development.
Educational Enhancement the Wolgast Way
As we hear more and more about STEM education and how important it is to expose your students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as fields of study, Wolgast offers programs to introduce construction practices to your students during our construction projects at your school. We call it Educational Enhancement and it has the flexibility to be tailored to your students in many different scenarios.
Why Winter Is the Best Time to Plan Your Construction Project
Other than taking time to prepare a plan when the weather is poor for construction (so you can be ready when the weather is conducive for construction) there are additional benefits to contact your design/builder or general contractor in the winter. Let me clarify that the following explanation works best when applied in Michigan and other cold winter states.