Ready for My Closeout

by marika_gabriel | 22 October 2023 11:00 am

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Project closeout is the final stage of the construction process. In this stage, a building project is turned over to the owner(s) while the contractor wraps up the project. Metal Construction News sat down with Keith Wentworth, vice-president of Dutton & Garfield Inc., to discuss his thoughts on how closing out a metal building project can be pain-free.

Metal Construction News (MCN): Who is in charge of ensuring a metal building project is closed out properly?

Keith Wentworth (KW): Typically, it is the general contractor or subcontractor in charge of the metal building portion.

MCN: When does the closeout process begin with a metal building project?

KW: We start when the project is about 75 percent complete. For quality control, we use a checklist to do an inspection after each step is completed (primary/secondary steel/roof sheeting/wall sheeting). This helps us at the end to ensure the quality portion of the closeout process has been documented.

MCN: What is involved in closing out a project, and what are some things to look out for?

KW: The project closeout package includes the warranty(s), owner’s operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals, and as-built drawings noting any changes from the original design. We typically start with a final walkthrough with the owner(s)/general contractor (GC) to review any punch list items. Once the punch list is complete and the final documents are delivered, we review the closeout package with them to highlight any important maintenance items—particularly regarding the roof, and the importance of having regular roof inspections done to help prolong the metal building’s service life.

MCN: Do you have a written procedure for job completion? What are the steps?

KW: Yes. We send out a letter (used for GC projects) and then assemble all the documents on a thumb drive for the GC or the owner. We also have a written standard operating procedure for closeout as part of our AC478 accreditation. (This accreditation program is administered by the International Accreditation Service, a member of the International Code Council Family of Solutions which develops the International Building Code [IBC], it assesses a contractor and erector’s adherence to the following criteria: comprehensive safety and training program documentation; well-documented management system; and detailed jobsite specific assembly plans. An on-site job site assessment is conducted to confirm a company is executing its operations in accordance with its plans. Additionally, annual internal audits and management reviews provide assurance to owners that the chosen erector is committed to a comprehensive, quality-focused metal building assembly program.)

MCN: How long does a project closeout generally take?

KW: It depends on the size of the project and whether we are a subcontractor or the GC. As a subcontractor, it can take a few weeks to a month to get all the documents assembled. As a GC and on larger projects, it can take a month or longer.

MCN: What are the keys to a successful project closeout?

KW: Keep good notes as the project is in process—particularly of any changes or issues that happen during the erection of the building. Start the process for getting warranties as soon as possible, as sometimes those can take a month or longer.

MCN: How does the owner sign off?
What if you are the subcontractor or the general contractor?

KW: The owner sends the final check. When we are a subcontractor, sometimes we are involved, but usually it is up to the GC to get the owner’s final sign-off. If we are the GC, we must provide all the closeout information for all the subcontractors. This includes all the O&M for the equipment, etc.

MCN: Have you ever had disputes about the completion of a project?

KW: Unfortunately, yes. It usually is scope or quality control related—i.e. work not completed, not done correctly, or not to the level of satisfaction of the owner/GC.

MCN: How are disputes resolved?

KW: Depending on the issue(s), we come to an agreement on what needs to be done and how much it will cost. Sometimes we are able to split the cost; sometimes we are not. Luckily for us, disputes are not usually common.

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/features/ready-for-my-closeout/

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