Construction Supervision & Inspection Services

Our motto is Trust but Verify! The most costly phase of a project commences when materials are deployed. The importance of on-the-spot inspection of work in progress cannot be overemphasized. Luster employs a seasoned team of construction and inspection professionals. We do not tell a contractor how to do his/her job, but we do confirm or deny that our client's goal is being achieved. Construction Supervision & Inspection Services Field Inspection Quality Assurance Change Order Management Quality Control Contract Administration

Quality Assurance & Control Lusters approach to quality assurance is utilization of independent judgment, coupled with technical expertise and a team player mind-set. During design, quality assurance and control measures focus on design reviews, and specifications for constructability and cost-effectiveness. We work in tandem with the design team to achieve means and methods of construction that are practical and economically feasible. Partnering with the design team also allows us to coordinate material selection for maximum value, evaluate labor availability and time requirements for procurement and construction, and assess scheduling, sequencing and site use. By bringing the perspective of the construction contractor into the design process, project risk is managed. During construction, we continuously observe and document activity, working closely with contractor personnel to achieve the expectations of the design team. We clarify discrepancies, monitor the contractor's performance quality and serve as the focal point for utility and agency construction interfaces. We take a comprehensive and aggressive approach to managing the countless details inherent in a major construction effort. This activity requires employing professionally certified, systematic methods. Luster utilizes the logic of analyze, understand, observe, correct, monitor, document, certify and test. Documentation covers all aspects of the project, identifying satisfactorily inspected items while targeting those needing corrective action. Luster is responsible for observing and assuring the quality of the general contractor, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers. We promptly notify the contractor and owner of non-conforming work, establish inspection and testing procedures, and maintain daily inspection logs and reports. Our field inspectors monitor permit approvals, site agreements, and preparation of record drawings. Luster also establishes procedures for special processes such as non-destructive tests, handling and storage of materials and equipment, and control of nonconforming work. Before the contractor leaves the job site and prior to final payment, Luster inspects the project with owner, designer, and contractor. A punch list report details items yet to be completed. Completion of the punch-list triggers final payment, net deductive changes that do not meet contract requirement. [return to top]

Change Order Management Luster's role in the change order process is to identify potential areas of concern before a change order arises. We evaluate change order requests, estimate costs, negotiate quantum, make recommendations, and administer changes to the contract in a timely manner. This is a challenging and important role, particularly when there are significant unknowns during the design phase or when requirements continuously develop during construction. Luster evaluates potential change orders by gathering new information from existing construction activity and applying this knowledge to assumptions stated during the design process. Concerns and recommendations are communicated to the program level. If the activity is under contract, we define the change order in terms that best serve the interests of the project while avoiding potential impact claims. In preparing a cost estimate for change, we utilize our construction expertise and knowledge of prevailing market conditions. We evaluate alternative means and methods for executing the work safely and in the most cost-effective manner. If the change

is approved, the change is negotiated with the contractor, using negotiation professionals. These professionals specialize in construction contract change orders and have spent much of their professional career at the negotiating table. [return to top]

Contract Administration Effective contract administration is a result of organization, an understanding of the contractual requirements of all parties, and control of documentation from shop drawings to correspondence. Lusters success is a result of our responsiveness in processing correspondence, submittals, clarification requests and time sensitive documents that are essential to project control and reporting. Document clarification is an ongoing element of construction contract administration. We track the date a clarification is requested, issued and returned to the contractor. The computerized document control system describes the clarification and establishes a due date for the designer's response. This system also incorporates a tickler file to ensure the process is current for our on-site team. [return to top]