Estimating – Every recommendation will consider short term and long term cost implications. The vast breadth of experience in project types and geographical locations has afforded Dupont-LeCorgne Construction Consultants a unique ability to provide superior estimating and value engineering services. D-L has proven itself in realistic and reliable in budgets and the ability to introduce cost saving alternatives without compromising quality.

Research – Rick and Bill has over 7 decades of experience necessitating research and analysis of varying building components. Typical items evaluated are as follows.

Sustainable Design – We are highly knowledgeable in cost efficient sustainable design. LEED design brings value to the building, the building users, the developer, and the community in may ways. Rick and Bill have been involved in many sustainably designed buildings, including LEED Gold, Silver, Certified, and non-certified. While this has been a controversial concept, it has become accepted in mainstream design as a useful and helpful design tool to ensure a quality project. Areas of cost and evaluation experience include site, access, building systems, building utilization, skin to floor ratios, circulation efficiency, access, building envelope, recycling and reuse of materials, materials selection, energy efficiency, daylighting, life cycle, durability, and indoor air quality.

Constructability – This is an all-inclusive term that represents consideration of all factors of cost, time, aesthetics, service life, and quality which are enumerated below. Bid solicitation, evaluation, and buyout assisting owner-developers and contractors to identify, select, and procure subcontractor and supplier vendors for their projects.

Site selection – Acquisition requires comparing different sites and their associated cost of pre-development preparation for building pads. This includes site development costs such as fill, storm, sewer, water, pavements, lighting, landscaping, and other hardscaping. Site selection includes consideration of utilities, and foundation impact by evaluating alternative shallow and deep foundation solutions for cost, schedule, and associated risks.

Structures – We provide recommendations on whether to use Wood, Masonry, Pre-Cast, Concrete, Tilt-up, Steel, Pre-Engineered, Modular, or Panelized systems, to provide the optimal solution that will meet financial and functional project goals considering service life, cost, building heights, localized erection constraints and labor availability. Since we both have engineering degrees, and have practiced structural engineering for design-build construction companies, we bring a unique value to clients and their design team.

Building Envelope – This includes all elements of a building's facade and roof which shelter the interior of the building from the elements. This is a major source of litigation and post construction issues due to moisture intrusion and leaks. We have experience in dealing with all types of facades such as vinyl, wood, cement siding, stucco, plaster, precast, cast stone, brick, metal panels, and stone. Our roofing experience includes pricing and evaluation of asphalt shingle, rubber tiles, cedar shake, slate, tile, metal tile, built up and multiple membrane roof systems. A final component of building envelope is fenestration (windows, doors, louvers) which required differing levels of quality and materials for residential and commercial applications.

Interior Buildout – This includes the framing and primary organization of building interiors. This area of cost is generally the most challenging to navigate as costs are often weighed against operational and functional needs. Often simple adjustments to spatial organization can have significant cost impact.

Interior Finishes - This area, in conjunction with the buildout, is also challenging in weighing out material service life and cost with client interaction with the space. The key is not to “cheapen” the feel of the space, but to maximize the visual and emotional impact of the space on the users for the least cost to the project.

Sprinklers and fire suppression – Sprinkler and fire suppression system design and interior configuration can be improved when worked together. Sprinkler system design and interior configuration can be optimized in piping sizes, pump configuration, and pipe organization.

Mechanized Circulaton – This primarily involves elevators and escalators. These are areas that can drive cost by over or under designing for demand.

HVAC – We have worked with many types of systems which include Mini Splits, Split system DX, Roof Top Package units, Variable refrigerant, Air and Water Cooled Chillers, as well as ventilation, filtration, fresh air, and building pressurization. These systems provide specific benefits to each type of project and the key is to select the appropriate system that economically meets your project goats.

Plumbing – PEX, Aquatherm, copper, DWV, Cast Iron are the piping materials used for potable water systems, roof drainage, waste, and circulating chilled water systems. While these systems are generally hidden from view, the way they are organized within a building can have significant cost impacts. In addition, fixture selections not only have an initial cost, but may have a long term operational cost.

Electrical – Electrical areas that drive cost include service size, voltage and amperage, wiring, conduit, lighting, emergency-power, and a multitude of low voltage special systems. Fixtures and devices have both initial and long term cost impacts to project development.

Designer Selection – Provide assistance in identifying, interviewing, and selecting Architects, Landscape Architects, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers, and other sub-consultants that are most suited for your project type.

Contractor Selection – Provide assistance in identifying, interviewing, and selecting GC’s that may be appropriate for your project goals and preferred delivery method, negotiated, design assist, design build, Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), or bid.

Logistics planning – Review project approach and considerations for deliveries, material and personnel flow, equipment staging, and utility considerations.

Buyout and Procurement –Writing proper contracts with a thought-out complete scope is a critical component to proper execution of the work. We assist in this process.

Sub and Supplier Risk assessment – Assess subcontractors and suppliers based on safety, size, capacity, approach, experience, and timing.

Scheduling and Planning – This is an area of focus that D-L believes is often under-considered based on the importance that this activity done properly can have on a project’s success. D-L specializes in scheduling and planning.

Change Order Management – Starts with pre-construction and knowledge of the project. Once identified, timely decision-making and execution is critical to ensuring a simple change order request does not metastasize into a project cancer. Our vast experience in all aspects of construction management enable him to help client's through the murky waters of change orders.

Quality Control – Begins during pre-construction involving all stakeholders and requires buy in of the goal to deliver a project in compliance with the plans, specs, and intent to the satisfaction of the client and continues through construction and closeout. D-L utilizes many ways to accomplish this and each job needs to have its own job-specific approach.

Project Closeout – Which includes punch list, warranties, and close out documents and the 11th month warranty follow up. D-L will make sure your project is wrapped-up cleanly.