CSI Blog

This is the first in a two-part series on this blog addressing schedules of values in construction, comprised of: (a) Part 1 – Fundamentals (addressing what are schedules of values, standard forms, and contractual requirements); and (b) Part 2 – Construction (addressing development, submittal, and review of schedules of values). Money is the lubrication that makes the wheels turn on capital projects. Many things are part of the progress payment process for construction contracts, but few are as important as the schedule of values. This blog post describes schedules of values and their use in construction contracts. What are Schedules of ...

Gary T. Bergeron, CSI, will be advanced to Fellowship during the "CSI Celebrates" event at the 2022 CSI National Conference Oct. 12–14 in Denver, Colo., becoming the newest member of CSI’s Class of Fellows. Throughout his 14-year membership with CSI, Gary has notably contributed to construction education at the high school, university, and professional development levels, and has been a leader of the Gulf States Region and the Knoxville, Little Rock, and Chattanooga Chapters. Here, he discusses the honor along with some of the highlights of his career in the a rchitecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry. What does being recognized ...

Congratulations to Hana Nguyenky, CDT®, of VMDOArchitects, who earned her CCS® and CCCA® during the recent certification window. Here, Hana shares what led her to a career in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry, and how she was able to earn two new certifications at once. Please share a little about yourself and why you have chosen to work in the AECO industry? I grew up in a household of immigrants as the eldest child. Neither of my parents finished their schooling career. My mother left high school to work and help provide for her family. She came to America with no knowledge of English and built a career ...

A thread on the CSI-Connect Community is asking members to share creative ideas about how to help emerging professionals find ways to attend the upcoming CSI National Conference Oct. 12–14 in Denver, Colo. (Standard registration rates are available until Sept. 12. https://www.csiresources.org/2022nationalconference/register/price-list ) Attending this important, once-a-year event for the overall architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) community can make all the difference when it comes to learning about important trends, networking with industry insiders, and benefitting from the knowledge of our colleagues. How can we help make ...

Owners’ Expectations of Accuracy of Construction Cost Estimates Unless actively discussed with the owner, both orally and in writing, in advance, it is possible the owner may presume that the design stage construction cost estimates will be a “spot-on” estimation of the project’s probable bid or proposal prices, and the final construction price. In reality, however, engineers’, architects’, and CMa’s estimates of construction costs are typically less-exact and involve less overall time and effort than do price proposals and bids by contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. This basic aspect concerning the level of effort and accuracy of design stage construction ...

Basic Techniques for Construction Cost Estimating There is no substitute for a complete, reasonably-detailed, properly documented construction cost estimate prepared for the appropriate quantities of work. A complete discussion of proper construction cost estimating techniques is well beyond the scope of this blog post, which presents only basic elements of complete cost estimates. The following should be considered: During the project’s final design (construction documents) phase, and possibly earlier in some cases, construction cost estimates are typically organized in accordance with the version of MasterFormat , by the Construction Specifications ...

A project owner’s budget for implementing a capital project is a critical factor driving the project’s scope (extent), quality, and schedule. For this reason, project owners often retain the design professional, construction manager as advisor (CMa), or a construction cost estimating consultant to prepare opinions of probable construction cost (“construction cost estimates”). Owners typically expect reasonably accurate estimates of both the project’s bid or proposal prices, prior to award of the construction contract, and the final cost of the completed construction. It is challenging to accurately estimate construction costs in the best of times but, ...

Make plans to complete your 2022 CSI National Conference experience in Denver with a private tour of the planned expansion of the Colorado Convention Center. Available to the first 30 conference attendees who register for this event, the tour will take place Friday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m. (MST) and provide a first look at the ambitious re-tooling of an iconic metropolitan landmark. The expansion—anticipated to be completed in late 2023—will include a new 80,000 square-foot column-free multipurpose room and an outdoor rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the city skyline and mountains. The project will be the largest ballroom in Colorado and expand ...

Photograph: Jeremy Bittermann Cap off your 2022 CSI National Conference with an exclusive tour of the Clyfford Still Museum in historic downtown Denver. This unique opportunity provides a personalized showing of the museum, which was designed specifically to showcase the legacy of Still, an artist whose life has been shrouded in mystery and whose work has mostly been hidden from public view for decades. During this customized tour, you will see the unique artistic vision uncompromised for money or recognition. The tour will include back-of-house areas, processes, and an overview of the architectural beauty of the museum building. Heralded ...