Our Construction Process

AZC takes a unique approach to the standard construction process working with our Client's as their representative rather than trying to sell them a service. Our goal is your goal, a final product you can be proud of. Wether you have an image in your head of what you want the final product to look like, or are unsure of where to start, let AZC help guide you through the process and complete your project.

With that in mind, we understand that construction can be a difficult and confusing industry that many are not familiar with. By partnering with AZ Constructors to complete your project, you are working with skilled and seasoned professionals who are able to navigate difficult situations, asses the proper direction to proceed, and take action to keep the project moving in a successful path. As your partner throughout the construction process, we ensure that all unknown factors are identified and fully vetted to reduce the likelihood of cost or schedule changes.

No matter where you are in this process, AZC can take over and guide you the rest of the way.

1

Planning / Scope Development

During the Planning / Scope Development phase of a project it is important to identify and understand exactly what you are looking for in the final product. The goal of this phase is to discuss all the intricacies that tie into the project and investigate how they could be impacted by existing conditions or newly installed products. This phase is driven by the Client explaining what they want this project to accomplish and showing us examples (pictures on the internet, Pinterest, etc...) of how you want it to look.

For smaller jobs, this phase may just be a phone call or quick site walk while for larger or commercial jobs, this could include onboarding of licensed engineers (Engineer of Record or EOR) or architects (Architect of Record or AOR), and may require several site visits or discussions. These individual are crucial for the actions taken in the following phases of construction. Additionally, for medium or larger jobs, AZC will conduct site 3D Renderings using Matterport allowing for remote viewing of the area and accurate remote measurements. An AZC representative will be present and on-site for all interactions with EORs & AORs representing our Clients and explaining their interest and requirements.

2

Design Execution

The Design Execution phase of a project is dedicated to perfecting a written and pictured design of exactly what the final product will look like and what steps are needed to get there. This includes the creation of Construction Execution Documents outlining key dimensions and locations of items to be removed, installed, or altered in any way. These documents also outline any finish selections requested by the Client such as paint color & sheen / wall texture / or hardware like sinks, vanities, and shower heads. Some smaller jobs that have more complex components will require in-house Construction Document creation completed by our Estimator / Project Manager using AutoCAD and Matterport as necessary. Design Execution is typically completed with three iterations of Construction Documents, 50%, 100%, Issued For Construction. the 50% set is a very rough set with minimal details on finishes and selections, and more of an outline to verify that the Client is happy with the scope. The 100% set includes all finishes and selections and provides a great deal more detail with regards to dimensions and measurements. the IFC set is considered to be the final set that is used for cost estimation and Construction Execution in the field.

The Design Execution phase can be completed relatively quickly for most projects while some requiring permits or further acceptance by third-parties cam take up to several months. Ultimately, the number of iterations of construction drawings and details required on the drawings is dependent on the complexity of the project. Some projects will only require one iteration of drawings and will be considered IFCs immediately. The goal of this phase is to visually outline the scope of work as described in the Planning / Scope Development phase to aide in the Procurement and cost estimation process.

3

Procurement

Procurement is simply the technical work for hiring a vendor to complete a task. In the AZ Constructors construction process, this phase is typically completed as the final step in the Design Execution phase with the delivery of the "Issued For Construction" (IFC) and the Request For Proposal (RFP) / Scope of Work (SOW). The RFP / SOW document is an in depth written description of the full scope of work of the project including specific directions on how to complete various tasks, reminders / verification on color selections, project timelines, safety considerations, and the total estimated cost. The RFP / SOW contains 2 areas requiring a Client signature. One at the beginning indicating that the Client is accepting of the scope of work as outlined in the document and IFCs. The second is at the end of the document and is signed during the Final Inspection indicating that the Client accepts the final product and no further construction activities will be taking place.

The Goal of the Procurement phase is for the cost, scope of work, and project schedule to be approved and contracts to be signed.

4

Pre-Construction

During the Pre-Construction phase, AZ Constructors will send the Client Submittals for approval. A Submittal is a request to purchase a product or service in an effort to complete the project to the requirements outlined in the IFCs. If an IFC set specified that the Client wanted a black, 52" ceiling fan installed, AZC would provide a submittal for a specific fan, from a specific vendor, and include all manufacturer warranty information, installation instructions, and any Safety Data Sheets needed. The Client must sign the submittal and either Approve or Reject the product. In the event of Rejection, the Client will provide an alternative product recommendation for AZ Constructors to review and determine the impact to the total project cost and schedule. If the Client provided recommendation is 2x the cost of the original fan, the total cost of the project would increase ONLY the difference in the estimated amount and actual amount. Similarly, if the Client recommends a product that holds a 3 week delivery time whereas the original is available off the shelf, the start date may be impacted. This phase of the project truly shows the importance of a well though out plan and thorough understanding of the Clients requests.

The goal of this phase is to verify the Client approves of all finishes, products, and services that are to be used to successfully complete their project.

5

Construction Execution

The Construction Execution phase of the project is exactly what it sounds like, the completion of construction activities on the jobsite in an effort to complete the project. The timeline of this phase of the project is truly dependent on the scope of work and complexity of the project. Some projects can be completed in one day while others can take several months. If any questions arise, a formal Request For Information (RFI) will be sent to the Client. An RFI includes the situation that arose, the proposed solution, and any potential impact to costs or schedule. This is where all efforts in previous phases are realized. A good and solid plan for construction leads to a smooth execution.

During this phase, dependent on complexity, AZ Constructors will conduct several Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) inspections internally and schedule regular inspections with the client. This promotes visibility throughout the construction execution process informing the Client of project status and any questions or unknown situations that have come up. If the project requires Permits, all required inspections from the appropriate parties will be scheduled as needed. The Client will be informed and formally invited to attend these inspections.

The goal of the Construction Execution phase is to complete all construction activities with the exception of any Punch Items (small items to be completed: install light bulbs, touch up paint in one small area, etc...)

6

Final Inspection / Closeout

At the completion of all construction activities, once all punch items are complete, AZ Constructors will schedule a formal Final Inspection with the Client to verify that all requirements and expectations are met. At this time, if there are any new Punch Items identified by the Client, they will be completed same-day. Once complete, the Client will sign the Final Inspection section of the RFP / SOW marking they are happy and accept the final product. The Final Inspection marks the "Substantial Completion" date of the project and the official start date of all AZ Constructors implied warranties.

Closeout for many projects is simply receiving the final payment for work once the Final Inspection is complete. Some projects that are a bit more complex or include installation of products that carry a manufacturer's warranty will require a more formal Closeout. This would include a package of documents outlining all manufacturer warranties and specific conditions outlined in the IFC drawings or conditions discovered throughout the construction execution phase.

The goal of the Final Inspection & Closeout phase is for the Client to formally view and accept the final project deliverable.

Key Terms & Their Meaning

EOR & AOR
The Engineer of Record (EOR) and Architect of Record (AOR) are the third-party individuals or groups responsible for the creation of the Construction Documents. These individuals hold certifications and have extensive education to understand and interpret code requirements. The EOR and AOR are hired by AZ Constructors during the Planning / Scope Development phase and are included in all scope development activities.
AutoCAD & Matterport
AutoCAD and Matterport are two commonly used softwares in the construction industry. AutoCAD is used by the EOR and AOR as well as our in-house estimator / project manager to visualize the scope of work. AutoCAD allows for custom creation of to-scale drawings that can be marked on to add details and show the full scope of work. Matterport is a 3D rendering software that utilizes a Lidar scanner to create a detailed walkthrough of a space that is to-scale and can be used to remotely take measurements. This software is so accurate that most measurement are within 1/8th of an inch of the actual measurement. For most situation, this is more than sufficient. This benefits AZ Constructors and the Clients as we do not need to be on site to verify measurements, causing less disturbance to the Client.
Construction Documents
The Construction Documents include PDF files created using AutoCAD and Matterport to visualize the scope of work and provide a clear plan of action for the construction execution phase. They are broken down into 3 iterations: 50%, 100%, and IFCs.
IFCs - Issued for Construction
Issued for Construction documents are the result of the final iteration of the Construction Document creation. This is the set of drawings that are referenced in the field during the construction execution phase of a project. The IFCs include details and installation techniques about the project including Client requested finishes, colors, and products.
RFP / SOW - Request for Proposal / Scope of Work
RFP and SOW can be used interchangeably in the AZ Constructors construction process. Other companies may separate these terms in that the RFP comes from the Client and is simply a request for a SOW and price, and the SOW is the contractor response containing project details and the total estimated cost. However, the RFP must outline all of the details required to complete the SOW accurately. This creates the potential for the final product to not align with the Client's interest if they are not fully aware of what they want or how to describe it in a way that everyone will understand. For AZC, we believe that as the owner-representative, the RFP should be built by AZC. By combining the RFP and SOW into one document containing all of the same information, and creating this document in collaboration with the Client, there is much less likelihood that there will be any confusion or misunderstanding from all parties.
Submittal
A Submittal is a document that is sent to the Client for signature from the contractor authorizing the purchase and use of a specific product or service. The primary goal of the submittal is to verify in writing that AZC is using the products, finishes, colors, etc... that align with the Client's interest. If the drawings say "paint this wall white" without specifying the sheen, or exact color code for the white the Client wants, there is a potential that the final color of the wall will not meet the Client's requirements. To avoid this situation, AZC creates a submittal, signed by the Client, that contains the exact paint color code and sheen to be used. This gives the Client total control over the final look of the project and removes the liability from AZC.
RFI - Request for Information
An RFI is a request from the contractor to the Client to provide guidance or verification that the best course of action aligns with the Client's interests. This can be as simple as verifying that a new ceiling fan should be installed in the same location, or moved to a new location, if not otherwise specified on the drawings. Alternatively, an RFI can outline an issue with the existing conditions at a jobsite. If the mounting box for a ceiling fan is unsafe or broken in any way (and it was not known before), the RFI will provide pictures of the broken box, the solution (replace the box), and any impacts to the project cost or schedule. Basically, the RFI is the only way that an IFC drawing set can be changed once it has been issued. An RFI can act as the justification of a change order IF approved by the Client.
Change Order
A change order will only be issued following a formal RFI response if the Client approves the RFI and the IFC set details are changed or direction is given that changes the scope of work. We believe that change orders are the result of 3 things. First, if the Client changes their mind and requests a change order to add or remove items from the scope of work. Second, if the existing conditions are not accurately described and the differences result in the need for additional work. And third, if there was truly a completely unknown situation that arises. In our experience, the only acceptably reasons for a change order are the first 2 reasons. If AZC did not fully vet a project or the existing conditions well enough to plan ahead, the Client should NOT be held financially responsible.
Substantial Completion
Substantial Completion of a project is the moment when the Client signs the RFP / SOW in the Final Inspection section. This signifies the end of all construction activities and acceptance of the final product.
Implied Warranty
The AZC implied warranty is a 2-year workmanship warranty as outlined by the AZROC. This covers defects in the workmanship of the project only and does not include manufacturer's warranties for products purchased. For example, if a project includes the installation of a fan, and the fan stops working because one of the wires came loose, AZC would be responsible for fixing the fan at no cost to the Client. However, if the fan stops working because the motor has blown or there was too much buildup of debris on the blades, the Client would be responsible for contacting the manufacturer for a replacement and AZC would NOT be responsible for the removal or reinstallation. HOWEVER, we believe that if a situation like this should arise, it is the right thing to do to complete the replacement at a heavily discounted rate to only cover the cost of labor for our employee.