Overrun Avoidance

Keeping the Construction Schedule On Track There are many factors that can cause delays on the construction schedule of a project– and budget overruns. From issues with the design, to changes in the owner’s plans, or poor planning and management on the contractor’s side, every project has its own story. No matter what the scenario,…

Read More

Procurement Advice

Getting Valuable Advice from the Right People Getting sound procurement advice for your project is crucial to ensure it runs smoothly, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are several procurement paths and contract options available, and these decisions must be made early. Engaging a Quantity Surveyor early on in the development process can help.…

Read More

Cost Management

Keeping Project Budgets Realistic & Manageable Construction projects are a fascinating blend of art and science: the art of architecture and the science that allows the project team to bring that artistic vision to life. But construction projects are also, fundamentally, a question of dollars and cents. The establishment of sound budgeting, contingency planning, and…

Read More

Design Milestones Guide for Owners

Navigating the world of capital development projects can be difficult.  The Royal Architecture Institute of Canada (RAIC) provides a Canadian Standard Form of Contract which is an excellent resource for understanding the phases of a project, the Architect’s tasks, responsibilities and optional additional services, as well as your responsibilities throughout the project as the client.…

Read More

The Cost of Changes

Changes. If there is any one all encompassing word that describes what will make your capital project go over budget this is it.  You are investing a lot of money and effort into your project and you want to make sure you get what you planned. The below chart illustrates the relationship between the Cost…

Read More

Replacement & Reconstruction Cost Estimates

If you are the owner of a commercial property, you may be wondering if your property is adequately insured. Your Insurer may use the term ‘Replacement Cost’ and the terms ‘Reinstatement Cost’ or ‘Reconstruction Cost’, may also be listed somewhere on your policy. While the term ‘Replacement’, ‘Reinstatement’, and ‘Reconstruction’ all seem to have the…

Read More

A.W. Hooker & Infrastructure Projects at a Glance

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce report published in 2013 states that the Canadian infrastructure deficit is in the range of $50 billion to $570 billion. A truly massive range, however, there are many pertinent variables that factor into this result!  Although we don’t know the methodology of this study, let’s make an assumption for the…

Read More

Matching Design Information to Estimate Level

PDF available for download here Matching Design Information to Estimate Most projects have design stage milestones that the Design Team complete and submit to the client for sign off. A significant amount of these projects also require cost estimates corresponding to the design stage milestones. Typically these are: While the intent is to align the cost…

Read More