Construction Verification

What is it?
How does it work?
Who does it benefit?
Let me introduce myself
My Name is Brad Rodman
 I have been a building contractor for 13 years.
 I am a LEED AP, and a CGP

 I am a member of the National Builders Association, United

States Green Building Council, Elkhart and Goshen Chamber

of Commerce.
 I have worked on a variety of different projects ranging from

the building of residential homes, to restaurants and banquet

halls, to laboratories and corporate offices. I have even worked
on schools, universities and nursing homes.
Through these different experiences I have seen the
problems that can arise.
 Lack of communication between contractor and owner
 No accountability from subcontractors

 Unreasonable requests from owners and architects

 Poor design and building placement

 Mediocre craftsmanship

 Weather delays

 Misuse of funds

 Inadequate documentation

 Unsafe work practices

 Uninsured contractors

 Most of the time the outcome is mediation by a third party and

then eventually a very costly and painfully long lawsuit.

 During this time the property is usually placed under a

mechanics lien that will stick until the issue is resolved or the
lien is foreclosed on.
 This willusually involve the lender, owner, and contractor. And
sometimes a municipality will become involved.
Can you see a problem?
5 gal. bucket roof patch
I Broke my level
This guy must drive a Hummer
Confused Plumber
After witnessing and being a part of these struggles over the years I have
wondered how to avoid these bad situations.

 Broken
W Weather Schedules


 Overthat time I have developed a process and then refined it to address

these issues and avoid unpleasant outcomes.

 This
process is a three phase process that addresses the potential issues
head on.

 Theprocess is designed to be performed as a third party “verification

process” that leaves the builder and owner relationship safe from damaging
issues.
Phase one
two
(structure&&
(contract
feasibility)
rough in )
The Process
P
h
a
se
t
h
re
e
(fi
ni
sh
&
cl
os
in
g)
 Site selection
Phase one
 Is
the location viable for the proposed project?
 We look at traffic count, demographics, neighborhood quality, and proximity to

public transportation.
 What is the site condition?

 Is the site a Brownfield, Greenfield, Wetland, or a Waterfront? We look at soil

conditions and look at the 100 year flood plain.

 What utilities are on site?

 Electric, gas who is the provider if any? City water& sewer or well and septic.

 Plans and Engineering

 Planreview
 Review plans for completeness

 Ensure the plan is feasible

 Review the plan for details

 Engineering

 Verify that the plan is buildable

 Ensure that there are no potential problems with the design

 Review the building orientation

 Contractor and Contract conditions
 Contractor information

 Name of the builder

 Years in business

 What credentials do they have

 What is their area of expertise

 Review the companies insurance policy

 Check references

 Conditions of the contract

 Description of the work.

 Has anything been overlooked?

 How detailed is the description?

 Is there a list of sub-contractors?

 Subcontract agreements
 Lien waivers
 Payment conditions
  Legal obligations
 Obligation of the contractor
 Obligation of the owner

 Provisions
 In the case of contractor default
 In the case of owner default

 In the case of dispute (owner or contractor)

 Path of mediation
 Path of arbitration
 Path of litigation

 Change Orders
 Acceptance of change
 Required change

 Payment procedures
 Down payment
 Construction draw request

 Terms of payment

 Release of lien

 Retainer
  Quality assurance standard
 Job site safety
 Employee drug testing
 Job site safety plan

 OSHA requirements

 Buildersrisk policy
 Warranties
 Workmanship

 Product and equipment

 Punch out procedures
 Certificate of occupancy

 
 Phase Two
Excavation
 Soil
boring and verification
 What is the water table?

 Are the excavation depths too deep or shallow?

 Has the compaction and backfill been done correctly?

Footings & foundations

 Verify footing locations and sizing

 Check foundations
 Verify the geometry meets the plans
 Verify the anchor bolts are correct

 Check utility sleeves

Drainage and waterproofing

 Check foundation coatings
 Check perimeter drains and tiles
 Framing and structural
 Verify beam size and locations
 Check openings to verify correct size
 Check truss layout is correct

 Vapor and thermal protection

 Check roofing and flashings
 Verify insulation R values
 Blower door test is available @ an additional cost. (primarily for

Green and LEED certifications)

 Thermal imaging is available @ an additional cost. (primarily for

Green and LEED certifications)

 Mechanicals
 Inspect plumbing rough ins
 Verify sizing and locations
 HVAC rough ins
 Check equipment size (BTUs and SEER ratings)
 Check sheet metal work and ducting

 Electrical rough ins

 Verify
switch locations
 Check service entrance

 Concrete
 Inspectconcrete flat work
 Check proper expansion joints

 Verify correct slope

 Inspect overall quality

 Site
 Inspectfinal grade for proper fall away from the structure
 Check for silt control and erosion issues

 
Finish work
Phase Three
 Sheet rock finish
 Lookat what level of finish is specified vs. what is done on site
 Verify
smooth or texture and type
 Check overall quality

 Paint work
 Verify number of coats
 What type of paint was used
 Color and sheen signed off by owner or architect

 Verify “Green label” and low VOC levels (primarily for Green and LEED certification)

 Trim and doors

 Verify the materials used on site are what is specified in the contract or building plans
 Check the overall craftsmanship of the installation
 Cabinets and casework
 Verify
the materials match what was specified
 Check the overall quality of the installation

 Flooring
 Verificationof the materials used match specification
 Check the quality of the installation

 Verify Green label plus (for Green and LEED certification)

 Punch out
 Review the punch list from owner to contractor
 Are the items reasonable

 Is the time line for completion realistic

 Check all systems (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical) to verify all

are working properly

 Certificate of occupancy

 Verify that all local inspections have passed and that there

are no pending violations

 Turn over the project to the owner
 Verify that the final payment has been made to the contractor
 Ask for release of lien documents from the contractor and sub-

contractors
 Set the move in date and closing for the owner
Closing
 The process will not only keep all parties on track during the
project, it will also keep the project itself on track.
 This will speed up the gap between construction loans and

conventional loans
 Lessens the risk exposure to the lender, borrower and builder

 The benefits of third party involvement

 Third parties are generally the end all in disputes
 Are a useful device in a litigation

 Third party involvement is an inexpensive insurance policy for all

involved parties that helps avoid costly and unwanted situations

that can arise from a process as complicated and expensive as the
construction process.