We work with you, your architect, contractor, engineer and designer to minimize risk.  This prevents projects from becoming distressed or failed and recovers projects that already are distressed or failed.

If you have ever personally had, or if you know of someone who has had a Construction Nightmare you probably remember the cost in time, dollars, emotional stress and the pressure it put on your marriage, job or business.   We take those stressors away. 

Contracting involves a lot of risk.  In public and large commercial projects this risk is managed by construction and project management teams.  In residential and light commercial this risk is largely unmanaged.  Some architects get somewhat involved, but it's not their full time business, they are not risk managers and they are not experts in disaster prevention and recovery.

Sometimes projects work out; very often they fail.  Our clients are people who want to make sure their project does not fail and people to whom this crash has already happened.  They have lost control of their project.  They’re distraught, in pain and have no idea what to do.  We prefer that all of our clients take preventative measures.  In cases where the project has already failed we provide disaster recovery.

1. We start by ensuring that contractors have proven themselves with the adequate insurance, registration, licensing and cash flow to see your project through to successful completion. This is important because it protects you from illegal and unethical contractors, contractors with cash flow problems and contractors with a high default risk. Do not assume all contractors are insured, registered or licensed and have adequate cash flow.

2. We conduct an exhaustive specification and scope of work review.  The architect and engineer take care of the technical content. We make sure the specification and scope of work are clear and complete so that all contractors have the same understanding of exactly what should and should not be included in their proposal. Without doing this it’s impossible to get proposals that can be compared on an apples-to-apples basis. This is important because it ensures that the contractor knows exactly what you’re asking them to do. Do not assume all contractors understand what you and the architect want - even when it sounds like they do.

3. We conduct an exhaustive proposal review.  This means that we make sure the proposals actually have apples-to-apples information. Proposal that are not clear, complete and uniform cannot be compared. Believe it or not, the price of a proposal has no meaning if you don’t know what’s included. This is important because it ensures that you know exactly what the contractor intends to do. Do not assume the contractor's proposal includes everything it should.

4. We conduct an exhaustive payment schedule review. This is where consumers either maintain or lose control of their project. If done correctly you will maintain control. If not done correctly you will lose control. This is important because it ensures both you and the contractor know the "how much" and the "when" for each payment. Do not assume that the contractor’s payment demands will be fair, reasonable and balanced.

5. We conduct an exhaustive contract review.  Your attorney takes care of the legal content. We provide recommendations so that you stay in control and your project stays on track. This is important because it ensures that important controls are in place to protect you. Do not assume that the terms of the agreement that the contractor supplies are fair, reasonable and balanced.

6. We monitor on-site activity to ensure that Scope of Work and Specifications are met and to help ensure that workers do what they’re supposed to as safely as possible.  We notify you, the architect and the contractor of potential deficiencies in workmanship, material or safety. This is important because it keeps everybody honest and safe, and it improves overall project quality.  Do not assume that all work will be preformed safely, according to specifications, and meet quality, best practices and minimum workmanship like standards.  Do not assume that code compliance inspections will ensure these criteria are met.

7. We monitor payments to ensure that the progress payment schedule is adhered to. When the contractor says it’s time for more money we verify that it really is.  This is important because it keeps you in control.  Do not assume that a contractor will not ask for payment that isn’t due.

More than anything, do not assume that nothing could go wrong - especially if you know the contractor.  Every one of these steps is critical to a successful project.  When done correctly they will put you in control and minimize financial loss if problems do arise.  We do not manage or take over your project.  We provide education, guidance and advisory services.  We work extensively with your architect, engineer, contractor and designer to make the project more successful for you and them.