Services



Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. www.mguinness.com               

M'Guinness & Associates is flexible in creating a custom approach with our services that best suite our clients.  We offer a turnkey approach to your project or offer any part of our services at our clients request.  We understand that every client is different with the amount of services they retain from a design/construction professional.  We pride ourselves on collaborating with other design professionals, engineers, interior designers, decorators and contractors to achieve our client's objectives.  That is why we will work with our clients to tailor fit our services to meet the client's goals.

The following is a basic guideline to a successful project and the typical services M'Guinness & Associates offer.  Not all projects are the same and the process will be a little different with each project.  Moreover, this sometimes overwhelming list of items are typical of a new home and/or major addition & remodeling projects.  As a disclaimer and for example, a simple kitchen remodel or small addition would require very few of these items.


Design & Construction Process Outline

Programming
   Decide on a programming team
   Identify and prioritize client and user values
   Discuss project goals and design issues
   Identify project constraints and opportunities
   Gather and analyze project data
   Determine project goals
   Create and document project requirements

Schematic Design
    Review of program with Client
    Prepare preliminary design concepts
    Presentation of design concepts to Owner (layouts & basic space planning)
    Owner review and input (repeat, average is 3 to 4 rounds)
    Schematic design finalized

Design Development
    Develop the approved schematic design with more detail to assure the design is
       feasible. Most of the time things just need to be moved around slightly to
       make the schematic design viable.
    Analyze and plan for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural & architectural
       details to be developed in the construction documentation phase.
    This phase results in drawings that often specify design elements such as material
       types and location of windows and doors.  The level of detail provided is determined
       by the clients's request and the project requirements.
    This phase often ends with a meeting to, and approve the drawings by the client.
    Deliverables typically produced after the Design Development phase often produces
       floor plans, sections, and elevations with full dimensions. These drawings typically
       include door and window details and outline material specifications.

Construction Documents
    This phase includes technical information to obtain a permit.
    This phase also moves the drawings & specifications forward and includes all pertinent
       information required for the contractor to price and build the project. 
    The drawings & specifications may include, but not limited too:
            Site Plans
            Demolition Plans
            Floor Plans
            Floor area and lot coverage calculations & diagrams
            Exterior Elevations
            Building Sections
            Schedules (Finish, Window, Door, plumbing & lighting fixtures, appliance etc...)
            Architectural details, sections & interior elevations
            Title 24 Energy compliance report
            Build it Green or LEED environmental requirements
            Soil Engineering (reports)
            Civil Engineering (calculations & drawings)
            Structural Engineering (calculations & drawings
            Topographical Survey & Drawing
    Every client has a different comfort level of how much detail they want included.
       Some detail is required by the jurisdiction assigning the permit, but a lot of the
       information on a completed construction set of drawings is only for the purpose to
       have the contractor and client on the same page as to what the client is expecting
       will be done by the contractor and what the contractor plans to actually do. 
       Some clients want just the bare necessities to get a permit and want to work the
       details out directly with the contractor.  Others want every last detail spelled out on
       the construction set of drawing to assure the contractor is including what they want.
       However, the majority fall somewhere in between and want more than the minimum
       without going overboard.  The level of detail included is discussed with the client
       at this time to assure they will have a finished set of plans and specifications at a
       level of detail they are comfortable with before the bidding and construction begins.
       Because the amount of detail may vary depending on the client’s preference, when
       the drawing set is not 100-percent complete, this is noted on the drawing set when
       it is sent out for bid. 

Construction Bidding and Contractor Selection
    Detailed scope of work
    Client sends out plans and specifications to other contractors for competitive bid.
    Bid evaluation, to assure other contractors are including all specifications and
       particulars in the plans.
    Review bids and recommend contractor

Construction Management 1
    Assist with negotiating a construction contact with general contractor.
    On-site construction observation, recommendations and problem solutions
    Material selection consulting
    Assure contractor is adhering to the design
    Assure contractor is staying on schedule
    Provide further design and drawings during construction when needed.