General Contracting
Quality Construction / Thorough planning
Since United Building Company usually builds under a negotiated, Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract (GMP), we are typically retained during the development’s conceptual or schematic design phase. By engaging early, we provide constructability guidance, estimating and feasibility analysis. We help owners and architects understand how their designs come to fruition. By offering alternatives and budget ramifications early, ownership can make informed decisions.
We believe that quality construction begins with thorough planning. Therefore, after establishing the architect’s design philosophy, we perform ongoing field visits and third-party consultant design and construction reviews. Throughout the construction process, we communicate goals in an ongoing manner to those budgeting, bidding and building each element. Finally, we equip our field team with the tools necessary to execute properly the first time. Each superintendent creates a project-specific quality plan with critical design elements and unique challenges. We then hold each team member accountable. Our disciplined process is designed to prevent quality issues before they arise.
Pre-Construction
informed decisions / resolved conflicts
During pre-construction our team empowers our clients to analyze their options and make informed decisions long before a shovel hits the ground. We deliver best-in-class preconstruction services by utilizing a host of analytical and communication tools at our disposal: thorough constructability reviews held collaboratively with the design team, exploration of innovative methods of construction, Building Information Modeling (BIM), physical mock-ups and a myriad of comprehensive estimating and budgeting tools.
United Building Company believes that its exceptional preconstruction team is the strongest weapon in its budget control arsenal. By thoroughly examining all aspects of a building, playing out different construction and scheduling scenarios, virtually resolving conflicts prior to construction, and ultimately figuring out the most efficient way to build the project, we finish buildings on time and on budget.
Value Engineering
cost reducing / Value Adding
Value engineering is not about cutting cost; it is about adding value. Holding the architect and owners vision in high regard, we creatively investigate significant cost-effective methods and materials that not only save money, but also enhance critical elements of the design. We empower owners to optimize their product with alternative systems, materials and methods of construction. We place a premium on options that improve the building’s value in alignment with owner objectives, be they long or short term. Finally, we develop and maintain a system-based estimate and cost reduction summary that clearly communicates the impact of value engineering suggestions to the architect and owners.
Project scheduling
on time / on budget
As part of the preconstruction process we address the means and methods for how a building will get built. Then, given the site logistics, client objectives, and constraints of the work, we ascertain the best sequencing for production. We pride ourselves on the accuracy of the schedules we produce because the ability to adhere to those schedules is what provides our clients with accurate delivery dates.
Utilizing traditional scheduling programs, then combining 4D Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other available technologies, our team updates the architects and subcontractors in real-time, keeping everyone abreast of progress, submittals, deliverables and availability of crews for on-site work and installation. By always looking ahead, our disciplined scheduling minimizes overtime, poorly installed work and on-site inefficiencies. As a result, we consistently finish high-quality buildings on time and on budget.
Compliance
knowledge / experience
For our clients building affordable housing in Los Angeles, we have over 50 years of individual experience in compliance. This includes working with Federal, State, and City and County agencies, including the Housing and Community Investment Department of Los Angeles and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, to ensure we meet a project’s applicable Prevailing Wage, Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MBE and WBE) and Local Hire Requirements. To insure full compliance across all disciplines, we employ a full-time compliance team. Here, each team member is fully trained in wage compliance and has an in-depth understanding of prevailing wage monitoring and requirements for federal, state, City and County of Los Angeles funded buildings.
We also understand accessibility compliance. This includes an extensive knowledge of California’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as the Federal UFAS guidelines. Knowledge of these regulations is critical to delivering buildings that work for our clients and their residents. Our knowledge avoids costly penalties and compliance delays. Finally, we understand the impact that each new building has on its surrounding community. We have successfully completed many developments with Project Labor Agreements, apprenticeship, and Section 3 local hire requirements, each of which are designed to give back to area residents.
Warranty Services
commitment / performance
As the paint is drying on our client’s building, we start assembling the Operating Manuals for each of the buildings’ systems, as well as confirming, and activating, all warranties for each building component. We assist in the transition from Certificate of Occupancy to lease up at each property we build. Along the way, we respond promptly to any quality issues that arise post-construction. We take responding to warranty claims seriously and see this phase of each job as our chance to shine. Here we also show our long-term commitment to each of our clients. Finally, we periodically perform site visits walking the finished building with ownership to be sure proper maintenance is being implemented and systems are being adequately maintained for long term building performance.