WE WORK AS A TEAM...WITH YOU WICKBERG GROUP, inc.
Choosing the right team for the design and construction of your project is an important key to your success. We provide construction services that are honest, competent and value driven.
In the construction industry, "value engineering" (also called value management or "VE") is a process to review the design, construction materials, systems and techniques of a construction project to ensure that it is delivered in the most cost-effective way. This process identifies possible design, construction, and material alternatives that will reduce project cost and improve the Owner's value.
Why conduct Value Engineering for your construction project?
Of your total project budget, the construction is generally your largest component of cost (with the possible exception of land acquisition). The Wickberg Group,inc. takes the approach of advocacy for the Owner with respect to Value Engineering. We approach our review of the total design, based on what is of value to you. Many times, a contractor may offer VE changes that are more relevant to him or offer a VE item that is much less than the actual value and then keep the difference. We fully document each VE item and show quantity take offs, trade contractor quotes, etc.
Good Value Engineering will:
Provide a cost-effective building without compromising performance, function or aesthetics
Identifies significant cost effective methods and materials that improve the value of design
Provides savings in maintenance and operating costs with less expensive material and systems that have the same quality
Improve value without compromising quality
If the project budget is not met, we will propose value engineering (VE) alternatives. VE is the systematic analysis and exploration of options to stay on budget or save costs. Thus, the ultimate objective of VE is to preserve the look and function of the facility, while finding alternatives to lower the cost.
Although VE can save clients substantial dollars, it is much more than simple cost-cutting. We will evaluate, at a minimum, first cost, schedule impacts, constructability issues, and life-cycle costs including capital, operating, maintenance and replacement expenses and energy and systems cost.
Systems analysis is at the center of the overall VE effort. Typical systems include sitework, foundations, structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical, and for buildings, the exterior envelope and interior finishes. During the systems review, we will make recommendations, which focus on construction feasibility, availability of materials and labor, installation time, associated costs and economies, and the impact on other building components.
For each project, a VE team will be established to include the Owner, Architect/Engineer, and the Contractor. Our experience with VE has shown that the best results occur during the Conceptual and Design phase. The team meets at pre-determined intervals to identify alternative materials, methods of construction, and issues affecting the schedule and operations. Each item is evaluated and accepted or rejected depending on the total impact on cost, function, program, schedule, and overall needs.