Services
Throughout James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corporation’s 91 years in business, our mission is to bring value to our clients and to build top-quality structures through excellent client service by:
• Performing to the highest ethical standards
• Understanding and upholding our clients’ visions and goals
• Collaborating with all team members including the Client/Owner, Architect and design team members and the community stakeholders
• Encouraging participation and respecting the professional skills of our staff and subcontractors
Cost Estimating
We strive to be competitive while minimizing the difference between early cost estimates and the actual contract price. We complete a detailed quantity survey of all building components based on early plans, construction type, outline specifications, and our past similar experience. Through identifying and understanding the Owner’s and Architect’s intent and applying up-to-date unit pricing to actual quantities, along with obtaining subcontractor pricing, we can accurately estimate the cost of the project and identify cost-saving alternatives early in the pre-construction phase.
Planning and Design Review
We strive to maintain an efficient building design and to use the most economical systems appropriate for the construction type, while adhering to the Owner’s design criteria for operational efficiency, finish quality and long-term maintenance.
Plan Check / Specification Review
One of the most valuable services we provide is a Plan Check - a sheet-by-sheet review of the construction documents and specifications prior to the project bidding. We thoroughly search for potential coordination issues and design inconsistencies, in order for the design team to make corrections prior to releasing the bid documents. We review every drawing, index, note, dimension and detail.
“Our approach is that the cleaner and easier a set of drawings is to understand, the easier the project will be for the subcontractors to take-off, which should result in more aggressive pricing. A project that is difficult to take-off creates doubt in the estimator’s mind and causes heavier pricing to cover errors or misinterpretations.”
Value Engineering
We research and provide cost comparisons on virtually any alternative building system that provides potential savings and benefit to a project - structural, plumbing, heating, electrical systems, architectural assemblies, and finish materials. This ensures that an Owner has accurate and timely pricing information to make sound decisions based on cost, durability, quality, and warranty factors.
“There are always alternative ways of completing a project, such as structural building systems, heating systems, down to the types of doors and hardware. We provide accurate and timely pricing information on all alternatives so the design team can make truly informed decisions.”
Construction Scheduling
Beginning early in the pre-construction phase we prepare a critical path schedule, using Primavera scheduling software that allows Owners to forecast funding requirements. Throughout the life of a project, the schedule is regularly revised and updated to incorporate current conditions and assure timely completion.
Sub-consultant Selection / Design-Build
We can assist Clients in selecting project sub-consultants (Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineers) in order to create a strong, experienced team. We can also work on a design-build MEP basis with subcontractors knowledgeable in design-build delivery methods.
Environmental Building Practices
Our LEED® AP and Certified Green Point Professional estimators, project managers, and superintendents strive to challenge traditional building practices and accomplish our clients’ goals through sustainable development. We are thoroughly familiar with and up-to-date with the materials, technologies, methods and costs required to ensure environmentally-friendly construction. This guidance is critical during the pre-construction phase when sustainable design and construction considerations should be incorporated into the project.
Hazardous Materials
Our experience in site remediation and abatement includes contaminants such as lead, oil, asbestos, and methane. We collaborate with environmental consultants, either contracted by the Owner or subcontracted by ourselves, to identify the least expensive alternatives in safely mitigating a contaminated site.
Self-Performed Work
We regularly self-perform items such as rough carpentry, exterior siding, window installation, building concrete, installation of doors, frames, hardware, cabinets, and interior trim. after competitively bidding the work against subcontractors in these trades. This gives us an advantage of understanding critical detailing, pricing, and scheduling aspects of these trades.