Question

19. What role does a developer play in the design/construction process 20. For the contractor, how does the Integrated Design Process differ from the traditional process? 21. What is the difference in the role of a General Contractor vs. a Construction Manager in a construction project? 22. Under what conditions would you as a General Contractor insist on using the Cost Plus a Fee method for a proposed project? 23. What is the difference between the purpose of construction drawings and specifications? 24. What is the Envision Program?

Answer 1

Ans 19- Traditionally, construction developers were those people or organisation who were recognised as the head contractors and they in turn handed over the responsibility of structral design and execution to other firms. But with the advent of many big firms, nowadays these developers function as contractors as well as owners or proprietors.They mainly prepare the legal contracts and are held responsible for customer relations. They also transform a barren land unsuitable for construction to a suitable one through structural improvisation.They then sell this properties which maybe residential or for office use to the prospective buyers.With more developers working as contractors and taking charge of construction, they derive a considerable control over their projects.

Ans 20 -

As evident from the name itself, the integrated design process is inclusive and comprehensive as compared to traditional process where each functionary is called up only when required thus there is a sense of discontinuity..Since in IDP it is a teamwork, every work is scrutinized multiple times and risk of fault is much less. But an interesting fact is that inspite of the multi-tasking an efficient and optimal stage can be reached very easily in IDP.Another imporrtant point to be noted is that in traditional process, the responsibility of contractor ends when the project is handed over to the recipients, but for IDP, the process continues and thus adds an extra layer of transparency and protection after occupancy.

Ans 21- A General contractor is mainly associated with the execution phase of the project while a construction manager may be involved with the execution, design and even planning. The construction manager is selected prior to the commencement of the project whereas the contractor is selected through a competitive bidding process.CMs have the same duty of interaction with sub contractors but has a more cordial relationship with the people up the hierarchy whereas the contractor's interaction is quite limited in that sense.

Ans 22- As a General Contractor I would go for a cost plus a fee method when my relation with my employer or the owner or Manager is well enough and I am well aware of the range of expenses and profits which can be obtained from the project. As the fixed fee is nothing but a sum paid regardless of the expenses or a part of the total profit I should well aware of the total profit.Also if i am aware of any probabale losses that might incur I might go for this contract.As in that case, even if the project encounters a loss, I would get a return of the investment anyways.

Ans23- A construction drawing is nothing but a layout of an entire project or even a small part of it foor example, a staircase or a beam, etc. But when it comes to specifications it generally refers to the rules set by a regulating authority to maintain the efficiency and safety of the structure.Thus it is more detailed. It does not include any drawn information, as it can only be visualised thus conceptual.It consists of quality, standards, quantity of material, procedure, etc.