ᐅ Construction Team – Useful or Not?

Our architect is currently trying to convince us of the “construction team” concept, but we doubt it will bring us any benefits.

The “construction team” approach involves including the tradespeople during the execution planning phase. All potential contractors are invited to a joint meeting on the construction site, where the project is presented. They receive detailed information about the required measures at an early stage. The tradespeople charge for this planning phase, even companies that are not ultimately selected. Nevertheless, the concept is supposed to save 10–15% in costs and time. We don’t understand the time savings, since according to the architect’s schedule, about six months will pass between the introductory meeting and the start of construction. We are unsure about the cost savings.

By the way, our project is a complete renovation of a farmhouse (250 m2 (2,690 sq ft)).

Does anyone have experience with the “construction team” approach?

Best regards,
Egon der 3

In complete renovations, this approach can be quite useful. These projects often cannot be carried out in a strictly linear fashion or neatly divided by trades, as many processes need to run in parallel or be coordinated closely. In a large, complex project we worked on, we faced significant difficulties in advancing construction work efficiently because much communication either did not happen or was passed on through third parties. After we fell six months behind schedule, risking further delays, we introduced a regular coordination meeting involving one of the key contractors, which was held two more times. It was demanding and included quite a bit of unnecessary discussion, but several interfaces improved noticeably.

Egon der 3. schrieb:

The craftsmen charge for this phase of planning, including the companies that will later not be considered.

To me, that sounds very much like a lack of maturity in the initial concept.

Egon der 3. schrieb:

By the way, our project is the complete renovation of a farmhouse (250 m2 (2,700 sq ft)).

That, however, is a significant difference compared to a typical new single-family house construction.

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That basically sounds reasonable to me, but I don’t really see the justification for spending that much money on it. Aside from that, while a one-time event is a good start, there will likely be a refresher after six months, as reported by @Myrna_Loy.

Why should you have to pay extra for that? The contractors have to come anyway for the measurement and the cost estimate. With enough lead time, this could simply be scheduled for the same appointment since they will all be there anyway. Ideally, they work together anyway if they know each other, or if they share the same supervisor.

K1300S schrieb:

That basically sounds reasonable to me, but I don’t really see the point of spending that much money on it. Apart from that, a one-time event is a good start, but after six months there will probably need to be a refresher, as reported by @Myrna_Loy.

Does it say anywhere how high the costs will be? I couldn’t see that...

I also assume that after six months only little of what was discussed will still be remembered. If the contractors know each other, they will coordinate among themselves anyway.

At the event, they will say this is how it should be done, and then every contractor is allowed to add their input?