Our team approach to Design / Build includes participation by the Owner, Construction Manager and Architect as needed for best efficiency from the beginning of the Project. As work progresses, each team member possesses expertise in a particular area which can bring savings both in time and cost.

We have experienced the advantages and feasibility of concurrent design, budgeting and construction on many projects of various sizes and types. When appropriate for the needs of the client, our staff has the experience and ability to assess facility needs and budget limitations and to work with the client to develop concept which functions well, is aesthetically pleasing, fits current needs and provides for future growth or modification.

Our involvement will include control of cost from the initial concept stage through completion. Estimates will be prepared from extensive company records of elemental cost adjusted for location and time. Such estimates are used as a basis of subsequent work, and more definitive estimates are prepared progressively as information becomes available.

Our construction experience and exposure to the competitive bid market in the Four-State area will assure a high degree of accuracy in budget estimating during the preliminary stages. The working drawings will be continually reviewed by our team with regard to construction methods and details, and cost analysis of options will be analyzed throughout the design process (Value Analysis).

Relatively early in the design phase, a contract agreement can be constructed in such a way that a complete budget cost (CBC) can be set. This can take place after only partial completion of the contract drawings. What follows is a summary of our approach to your Project, from pre-construction through facility turn-over.

Subcontracting

Because the majority of the work on the Project will be performed by subcontractors, JCDM places special emphasis on this phase of the construction project. Prior to and during the project, JCDM will:

1. Evaluate and pre-qualify subcontractors, using 2,400 vendor database. Submit recommended bidders list for Owner’s review and approval. Conduct pre-bid conferences to familiarize bidders with the bid documents and management technique to be used on the project.
2. Secure quotations, make bid comparisons and check for technical compliance with specifications.
3. Conduct pre-award conferences with successful bidders. Prepare and issue purchase orders and subcontract agreements.
4. Establish cost control procedures and prepare the purchasing control schedule.

Pre-Construction Phase

In most of JCDM’s projects, we provide a large degree if pre-construction services. The services range from categorical cost comparisons to computerized cost analysis. We begin with a basic project assessment which includes the following:

1. Coordinate due diligence studies with civil, geo-technical and environmental engineers.
2. Investigate the subcontractor and material availability to determine unique conditions which would influence the design, cost and schedule of construction.
3. Review drawings and specifications as they are being prepared, recommending alternative solutions whenever design details affect construction feasibility.
4. Provide an analysis of the types, quantity and availability of labor and equipment required for critical phases of the project.
5. Review design and construction methods with State and Local authorities to ensure adherence to all applicable codes and laws.
6. Advise on the method of selecting subcontractors and handle all negotiating and awarding of contracts within the Complete Budget already established. JCDM will review all subcontracts, drawings, and specifications to:
   1. Ascertain if areas of jurisdiction overlap.
   2. Verify that all work has been included.
   3. Allow for phased construction in the most cost efficient manner.
   4. Contract documentation and review of bid packages prepared by Architect

Value Analysis

After the preliminary project assessment is made, JCDM reviews plans and specifications for possible design improvements or cost saving opportunities. For example, these activities include:

1. Advice on the trade-offs between alternative building system as to cost and construction schedule.
2. Engagement of our internal Technical Advisors and especially their Mechanical/Electrical advisors for review of Mechanical/Electrical systems, their compliance with the local codes, appropriate level of sophistication and compatibility.
3. Perform a side-by-side comparison of recent projects utilizing similar building systems and/or materials.
4. If appropriate, we will familiarize Architects with other jobs where solutions were developed to design and engineering problems similar to those which will be encountered on your Project.
5. Invite specialty contractors to comment on feasibility of planned construction methods, similar to those which will be encountered on your Project.

Scheduling

Using a combination of manual and computer systems, a preliminary project schedule is developed at an early stage of project design.

The first schedule is a simple precedence diagram showing only the major components of the project and is based on a comparison of similar project schedules adjusted for locations and seasonal variations. As the design becomes more final, a computerized schedule is developed with primary input from the Design/Build Contractor. Additional reviews are made by our Construction Services Group and Technical advisor for the project. Further input will come from our Mechanical/Electrical Advisor.

This master schedule will be updated until a CBC is established early in the design stage of the project. Long lead items are identified during this process and early purchases are coordinated with the Owner and Architect.

Permit Processing

Should the Owner desire, JCDM will process development and construction plans through all required agencies for necessary permits and approvals.

Budget Preparation

Because of the tentative nature of drawings and specifications at the early stages of the project design, there will be a confidence limit for each level of completed documents. Based on projects of similar complexity, our budget figures typically fall within the following ranges:

Construction Phase Overview

1. Organize, plan, manage, and coordinate all construction of the project.
2. Furnish a superintendent and field support   staff to exercise general field management   of the project.
3. Provide the services of our corporate staff including estimators, schedulers, architects, our technical advisors and their Mechanical/Electrical advisors and other employees as necessary for the successful administration of the project.
4. Plan, schedule and conduct design and construction, value engineering conferences thru out the Construction Phase.
5. Regularly update all schedules and/or procedure diagrams which affect the project.
6. Obtain or see that all necessary construction and accessing permits are obtained from the proper sources as may be required by local, state or federal governments at such times and in such order as not to interfere with the progress of construction.
7. Maintain a cost accounting and cost control records.
8. Maintain a daily log of the field activities of the project.
9. Review each contractor’s monthly application for payment.
10. Prepare monthly reports to the Owner stating the progress of the projects, existing quality control and alternative methods or materials of construction.
11. Conduct monthly meetings with subcontractors, Owners and Architect representatives at the site.
12. Prepare a monthly update of the final cost of all construction work associated with the project, which is under the Design/Builder’s direction.
13. Prepare punch lists and arrange for required corrections, if any.
14. Request and conduct inspections by appropriate governing authorities.
15. Coordinate the start-up and instruction of personnel by the contractors’ and manufacturers’ representatives the operating and maintaining of major building service equipment.
16. Expedite preparation of “as-built” drawings.
17. Coordinate and ensure adherence to JCDM’s Safety Programs.
18. Ensure the provision of all services and temporary facilities necessary for the construction of the project.
19. Ensure adequate and timely inspections by all designers and codes consultants. Be responsible for the quality of the work. Ensure that all deficiencies are corrected expeditiously.
20. Accept delivery of and arrange storage, protection and security for all owner -  purchased materials, systems and equipment.

Merit Shop Philosophy

JCDM, Inc. is a “Merit Shop” Design/Builder; we are neither union shop or open shop. Instead, we hire employees and choose subcontractors solely on the basis of their demonstrated ability to do the job. Prior to and periodically during construction, if needed, we design and update a reserve gate system to allow us to deal immediately with potential delays and minimize their impact should they occur.

JCDM highly recommends the Merit Shop approach, and we believe our clients benefit with time and cost savings by employing JCDM as a Merit Shop Design/Builder.

Quality Control

All JCDM built projects are subject to our Quality Control Program. This program provides the guidelines and methods for assuring that activities, structures, components, systems and facilities are fabricated, constructed, installed, inspected, tested, documented in compliance with the contractually established project scope and requirements of applicable technical documents, codes, standards and approved project procedures.

The controls described in this procedure will be implemented at predetermined points to prevent, detect and correct deficiencies and to document achieved quality throughout the Project.

The Quality Control Program described in this section covers the activities which JCDM or its contractors are contracted to perform.

JCDM will revise and implement this Q.C. Program as appropriate to fit the Project and assure that the quality of items and services provided meet the applicable requirements of the client designated regulations, codes, standards, and technical documents.

JCDM may impose Quality Control Inspections and test activities including materials testing and nondestructive examinations to other organizations such as trade contractors, suppliers or consultants but will, as the Owner’s Design/Build Contractor and agent, retain final responsibility for the adequacy of these activities.

JCDM, its trade contractors, technical support services and suppliers will be required to furnish or provide access to material samples and other items required by the Owner or other authorized regulatory authority representatives. The Owner shall have access to JCDM’s, its contractors, and suppliers’ facilities, records, and equipment for performance of audits and inspection of work, materials and documents.

Project quality control activities will be applied to the extent and degree consistent with the items of safety related importance, design quality level and/or code.

BUILDING GREEN WITH JCDM CHURCH BUILDERS

In advance of the US Green Building Council’s introduction of their LEED program, JCDM Church Builder’s has constructed church facilities following many of the fundamental design principles now included as part of the LEED program criteria, including state-of-the-art energy management technologies, maximized building insulation systems, use of natural daylight and access to outdoor views in our large welcome center entrances.

LEED is self-certifying rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that evaluates environmental performance from a “whole building” perspective throughout a building’s life cycle. It provides a definitive standard for what constitutes a “green building.”

Certification is based on five categories:

1. Site planning
2. Energy efficiency
3. Materials and resource management
4. Indoor environmental quality
5. Water management

By following LEED certification guidelines, we’ve expressed our commitment to the environment and to our church’s communities, while also setting a standard for other church builders to follow.

Our continuous improvement initiatives include energy and water conservation and our church clients can control thermal, ventilation and lighting systems, which enhances their worship environment while reducing operating expenses.

JCDM Church Builders aim to protect our natural resources by creating buildings that:

• Use the least amount of total energy in their construction and life cycle
• Provide a healthy, ergonomic interior environment for building occupants
• Connect building occupants with their outdoor environments

JCDM Church Builders continues working toward other green building features with each new church facility it designs, such as providing building shade with vegetation and using alternative energy sources. At JCDM Church Builders we strive to reduce our landfills by recycling construction waste and using a greater percentage of recycled materials in our building designs