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Our office includes computer stations with up-to-date programs,
network servers, and high-speed printers.
We have an extensive library of product catalogs as
well as cable modem internet service that provides instant
connections to product manufacturer’s web sites.
OUR SERVICES
Architectural
Specifications:
Our
office can provide specifications for Divisions 2 through 14.
Over the past several years, we have developed our own Office
Master Specs that incorporate products for our New England
climate as well as products for our West Coast clients. We
create master sections with commonly used products that can
speed the production of writing specifications, cut down on
errors and omissions, and save YOU money. We have
developed a terminology list for coordination of language on the
drawings with the specifications.
We are familiar with the U.S. Government SpecsIntact Program and
can produce specifications for government projects. We are
licensed for the use of AIA Master Spec.
With a Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) on staff, we
provide specifications that follow the Construction
Specifications Institute Master Format as well as the guidelines
of CSI’s Manual of Practice.
We are equipped to produce specifications in Microsoft Word or
Corel Word Perfect formats and final documents will be generated
on disk in the program of your choice.
Why
use Lowell Specifications, Inc. for your specification needs?
We strive to provide the best service that we can. We not only provide the specifications you require but in the
process provide assistance in choosing the proper products to
meet your needs and budgets, review your drawings and details
for terminology coordination and proper application of products.
We provide a fee proposal that includes all your needs
from start to finish. We
want to be a part of your team to help you provide the best
documents possible for your project.
We
feel that utilizing an independent specwriter allows the project
Architect more time to spend designing and coordinating the
project. When the architectural firm is busy, outsourcing the
specifications can actually save the company money when you
consider the time saved on the initial project and the extra
time now available for additional projects.
Fees
for Specifications:
Fees
are based on an average number of hours per spec section (two to
three hours depending on the complexity of the project) times an
hourly rate of $55 per hour.
Bidding documents and Division 1 sections are generally a
fixed fee of $300. A
few hours are typically added for meetings required.
We are happy to provide a proposal for your project at no
cost.
Cost
Estimating:
In
October of 2001 we started providing cost estimating services
for our clients. We
recognize the Architect needs to set a practical budget and have
a means of checking the value of the design through the design
process.
For
Schematic Design we offer assistance to the Architect by
utilizing a database of recorded costs for past projects to use
a comparables for your upcoming project.
For
Design Development we offer the traditional line-item estimate
of materials and labor with an estimating contingency to carry
for the Construction Documents phase.
Our estimating software provides the ability to easily
separate items as Alternates for price control.
During
the Construction Documents phase we continually update the
estimate as new information is provided.
This estimate mainly consists of filling in the blanks
from the DD estimate and verifying that the DD contingency has
not been used up. This is also the time when if the final
estimate is high, value engineering can take place.
This assures the Architect will know when the design of
the project approaches the budget and is not surprised 2 weeks
before the projects is to be bid.
During
the Bidding phase we continually track addendum changes to
provide an accurate estimate right up until bid day.
Value
engineering is generally accomplished by adjusting the finishes
in a project. The
estimating program will allow the Architect to change any finish
in any room and instantly track the value of that change.
A list of various possible changes can be produced in a
meeting with a lap-top computer and the Architect.
That list can be taken to the building committee for
selection of the various cost savings.
Those adjustments can then be made to the final drawings
and specifications and thus producing documents that are
coordinated with the budget.
This process can be used at Design Development as well as
during the Construction Documents phase.
Cost
Estimating Fees:
Fees for
estimating services will vary depending on the number of
meetings required, the number of specification sections
required, and the size of the building.
A small project with many different components could be
the same cost as a large building with few components.
The
Schematic Design estimate will generally consist of a meeting
with the Estimator and Architect for several hours.
They will attach historical values for the proposed
building to come up with a proposed budget.
The cost for this phase will be determined by the
estimated number of hours required multiplied by the hourly rate
of $65.
The cost for
the Design Development and Construction Documents estimates will
be based on the number of specification sections required and
the size of the building. The
cost will also include time after the bid to analyze the
estimate for accuracy. The
cost is determined by: multiplying the number of specifications
sections by $40, multiplying the number of square feet by $0.06,
and adding the sums together.
Value
engineering, if required at either phase, will be an additional
service billed at $65 per hour.
Revisions to
estimate for Addenda will be an additional service billed at $65
per hour.
We
are happy to provide a proposal for your project at no cost. |
