While obviously pitching his services, a construction consultant described five ways that they can help get projects started on the right track to avoid claims and, if necessary, better equipped for success via a claims process. The five points the consultant listed are:
Prior case experience and expertise
Thorough analysis
Scope of the case
Deeper insights
Reduce litigation risk
As someone with a few years of project and office experience, most of these seem like good practice to do on our own as construction pros. Good supers, PM's and executive leadership can and often do review and prepare projects for success in ways that account for the benefits that a consultant might provide. In my opinion, the big catch in this process for construction pros is to be 100% honest with themselves and 100% committed to the process. If there is any concern that the amount of focus and dedication to the process can be maintained with internal leaders, then a consultant would be great help. If a contractor invests in a consultant you better bet we are going to get our money's worth from them. That being said, following sound and well established work and documentation procedures make success more regular and challenges less challenging even without consultant help. I'm not saying there's not value in a consultant. I do believe that if a team is capable, having them thoroughly make sure project is being built right, adds to individual buy-in and ownership of the results. When given full authority and responsibility for project success, all but the most lazy or incompetent construction pros work the process hard until project success is realized.
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