INNOVATION & DESIGN PROCESS (ID) PART #2

Section 1.2 Integrated Project Team. There are several potential points you can earn with LEED for Homes that really don’t make your home any “greener” and don’t add any “green” attributes. Integrated Project Team is one of those type points. What is the benefit you ask?

BETTER QUALITY - Since we began implementing the LEED for Homes process in 2007, the quality of our homes has increased significantly. Because we are following a process, we began looking much closer at our building practices. We found many areas had room for improvement. With regards to the Integrated Project Team, as the builder we get valuable feedback from our suppliers and sub-contractors on how to save money by changing procedures and products thereby freeing up funds to purchase better quality systems or materials for other critical areas. One example; our insulation contractor requested the framing contractor leaving certain things unfinished so that the insulation could be installed in blind areas. Many houses get built where there are gaps and no insulation is installed. This is not supposed to happen, but it does on 99% of homes built.

Also, when you have a team of people working together for a common cause, the results are always positive. It is not just one job supervisor or builder trying to make everything happen correctly. You have a team committed to the process.

VALUE - I am convinced that Amaris builds a tremendous “value” for the money. Because we approached the “green” building from the perspective that it doesn’t have to cost more, it drove us to look for ways to improve without adding more to the price tag. Implementing an Integrated Project Team is an opportunity for key team members to collaborate, review specifications and drawings and make recommendations. Our suppliers and contractors have found all kinds of ways, big and small, to improve the building process without adding cost.

QUICKER BUILDS – FEWER MISTAKES – LESS FRUSTRATION - One of our general conditions we implemented as part of our “green” building process and Integrated Project team is a pre-construction meeting which ALL sub-contractors must attend. No sub-contractor is allowed to send a worker to the job site unless they have attended the pre-construction meeting or will be working alongside someone who did. Pre-Construction meetings are common place in large construction projects but are virtually unheard of in residential construction. Amaris implemented this procedure as a result of the Integrated Project Team.

At the pre-construction meeting, sub-contractors receive the final version of the specifications and drawings. We go through general conditions and specific items to the project. General conditions include things like how we are trying to manage the recycling of garbage and how each person can contribute. We discuss things like safe building practices and job site cleanliness. We even cover things like smoking and being professional with customers. Specifications and drawings are reviewed and sub-contractors have a chance to ask questions and provide feedback.

As a result, we have seen less mistakes (and subsequent rework) in the field which means quicker builds and less frustration for all parties involved. The sub-contractors are happy because they can get in and get out knowing what is expected. The builder is happy because the customer is happy.