This is a guest post by Jon Earle, PE, ENV SP
Part 4 – Project Completion, Closeout, and Documentation
In Part 4 of the 5-part blog series, I will be discussing the last steps of a project’s life cycle. These steps include project completion, closeout, and documentation. Again, having a General Service Contractor (GSC) as part of the project team can greatly enhance the success of a project and address any final issues with the contractor.
Project Completion
As a project nears its completion, it is important to have oversight of the schedule and costs to hold the contractor accountable for delivering on the contract requirements. For example, if it’s becoming evident that the project will not be completed on time, a proactive GSC will identify this and collaborate with the owner to discuss how to handle it. A GSC who is involved in construction oversight can also begin to develop, in conjunction with the owner, a punch list of items that the contractor needs to address before a project is deemed complete.
Additionally, having a consultant support construction oversight and administration can assist with identifying and recommending change orders brought forward by a contractor. Having this daily presence on the job site can help with identifying unknown site conditions such as ledge and unsuitable soils and can recommend design modifications to the owner that can save significant time and money.
So you want to start your own engineering practice? Becoming an independent engineering consultant can be very lucrative. It also gives you freedom over the work you do. But it is a very different lifestyle than working for an engineering firm. There are several important items to consider before taking the plunge.
