This is the third in a multi-article series examining how the Design Assist approach adds value to the benefits of Off-Site Construction.
As the construction industry continues to embrace Off-Site Construction (OSC), the next logical question becomes, “how do we maximize all the possible benefits that OSC brings to our project?” The Epsilon team has consistently seen significant advantages when clients utilize our team in a Design Assist approach. We’ve highlighted the top six advantages most commonly referenced by the clients and project teams we work with.
3
Enables early procurement
Enables Early Procurement
Supply chain issues and rapid changes in raw material pricing can quickly derail construction schedules and budgets. This dynamic continues to frustrate project teams even years after supply chains have supposedly “settled out” post-pandemic, and is compounded by the drastic rise in demand for construction equipment and supplies to meet continued on-shoring and near-shoring initiatives.
The Design Assist construction approach significantly reduces these and other risks by strategically and contractually engaging key subject matter experts (SMEs) early in the preconstruction process. When Design Assist is combined with Off-Site Construction, the project team now has an easy way to initiate procurement of those long-lead items, by the SME that is best positioned to own the selection and integration of that equipment into the scope of work.
Because OSC components are not time-bound to traditional (site-constrained) construction schedules and they are built in controlled environments, manufacturing can occur well before the site is prepared to accommodate it. This contributes to the sort of schedule compression and surety highlighted in the previous entry in this series. Of course, this is practical only when the entire team (including the SME) is fully involved early in the design phase so that specifications, critical engineering and related decisions are agreed upon.
The benefits of Design Assist led early procurement include an increased level of cost certainty for the project owner, contractor and OSC manufacturer. Even more important is the risk mitigation that comes with ensuring components are available when needed.
At Epsilon, we know that early procurement has tangible value; we regularly perform this role on projects as part of our larger Design Assist efforts. The Design Assist approach means project teams are early adopters of stability and consistency throughout the preconstruction and construction processes. Contact Epsilon today to learn more about our Design Assist and cost-certainty approaches for your central utility system project.
