Overseeing the Construction Administration Phase

When all plans have been drafted and every permit has been acquired, construction can finally begin. But with so many moving parts, the construction process can also be a source of delays and ballooning costs. To keep things moving smoothly, engineers can provide construction administration for the site and the various teams of contractors working for the build.

Also known as the construction management phase, engineers monitor each team’s progress to verify that everything will meet the project’s specifications. If a problem arises, the administrator can help resolve things without derailing construction. When you choose McClure and our expert engineers for construction administration, we’ll ensure all the different pieces fit together as seamlessly as possible.

Ultimately, the work required by construction administration will depend on the scope of the project itself. A few tasks however, such as construction observation, performing quality control inspections, and responding to RFIs (Request for Information) are more prevalent.

Construction Observation

Ideally, there should be someone on-site for construction observation. As teams of contractors make progress on their individual assignments, the construction observer makes sure everything matches approved plans and schematics. Because they also keep track of documentation during the construction process, an observer has a strong sense of how the project is moving as a whole. So when something goes wrong, the observing engineer is more likely to notice immediately.

But even the best observation engineers may not be able to notice everything going on at the construction site. Periodic inspections for quality control are another important task to minimize the risk a problem slips by unnoticed. They can even review materials and facilitate change orders. When construction observation is handled by professional engineers like those at McClure, your project can enjoy another valuable layer of protection against delays and unfortunate surprises.

Construction Documentation and Permitting

Even smaller construction sites are dynamic, changing consistently as the project moves along. When plans or schematics need to be reviewed or altered, an engineer can ensure it’s completed quickly and with the least disruption to other contractors. This includes Change Orders, a form for when aspects of the contractors’ work need to be adjusted. Because change orders often lead to an increase in the project’s total cost, having an engineer for construction administration offers the best chance at finding ways to mitigate the price increase.

On occasion, these changes can lead to additional permits or approval being necessary. McClure engineers can promptly secure any new permits needed to keep construction on schedule.

RFI / Record Drawing

The Request for Information (RFI) process is a necessary if bureaucratic aspect of construction management. Contractors, suppliers, and other personnel submit RFIs to the engineer or designer when seeking clarification on something listed in the plans or schematics. Some of the most common reasons to submit an RFI include:

• Confusion with something present on project schematics or other documentation
• Needing more info about the developer’s intended use for a space or system
• Recommending changes or alterations to construction plans
• Identifying a problem or deficiency that requires another team member

Without efficient internal communication, the RFI can quickly lead to project delays, extra expenses, and even disputes between workers. But with a McClure engineer handling construction administration, RFIs can be processed more quickly and accurately, speeding up communication between teams.

Overseeing the Construction Administration Phase

When all plans have been drafted and every permit has been acquired, construction can finally begin. But with so many moving parts, the construction process can also be a source of delays and ballooning costs. To keep things moving smoothly, engineers can provide construction administration for the site and the various teams of contractors working for the build.

Also known as the construction management phase, engineers monitor each team’s progress to verify that everything will meet the project’s specifications. If a problem arises, the administrator can help resolve things without derailing construction. When you choose McClure and our expert engineers for construction administration, we’ll ensure all the different pieces fit together as seamlessly as possible.

Ultimately, the work required by construction administration will depend on the scope of the project itself. A few tasks however, such as construction observation, performing quality control inspections, and responding to RFIs (Request for Information) are more prevalent.

Construction Observation

Ideally, there should be someone on-site for construction observation. As teams of contractors make progress on their individual assignments, the construction observer makes sure everything matches approved plans and schematics. Because they also keep track of documentation during the construction process, an observer has a strong sense of how the project is moving as a whole. So when something goes wrong, the observing engineer is more likely to notice immediately.

But even the best observation engineers may not be able to notice everything going on at the construction site. Periodic inspections for quality control are another important task to minimize the risk a problem slips by unnoticed. They can even review materials and facilitate change orders. When construction observation is handled by professional engineers like those at McClure, your project can enjoy another valuable layer of protection against delays and unfortunate surprises.

Construction Documentation and Permitting

Even smaller construction sites are dynamic, changing consistently as the project moves along. When plans or schematics need to be reviewed or altered, an engineer can ensure it’s completed quickly and with the least disruption to other contractors. This includes Change Orders, a form for when aspects of the contractors’ work need to be adjusted. Because change orders often lead to an increase in the project’s total cost, having an engineer for construction administration offers the best chance at finding ways to mitigate the price increase.

On occasion, these changes can lead to additional permits or approval being necessary. McClure engineers can promptly secure any new permits needed to keep construction on schedule.

RFI / Record Drawing

The Request for Information (RFI) process is a necessary if bureaucratic aspect of construction management. Contractors, suppliers, and other personnel submit RFIs to the engineer or designer when seeking clarification on something listed in the plans or schematics. Some of the most common reasons to submit an RFI include:

• Confusion with something present on project schematics or other documentation
• Needing more info about the developer’s intended use for a space or system
• Recommending changes or alterations to construction plans
• Identifying a problem or deficiency that requires another team member

Without efficient internal communication, the RFI can quickly lead to project delays, extra expenses, and even disputes between workers. But with a McClure engineer handling construction administration, RFIs can be processed more quickly and accurately, speeding up communication between teams.

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