Early Contractor Involvement

What is Early Contractor Involvement?

Early contractor involvement (or ‘ECI’) is a method of construction contracting that allows the builder to become involved, and potentially start work before the design has been completed.

ECI often offers faster completion, subcontract transparency, early input from the builder and improved cost certainty.

Benefits of ECI

Through ECI clients can leverage the experience that Mapel Building offer at the earliest opportunity, allowing clients to draw on our design and construction expertise which can impact on cost, quality, time and constructability.

Traditional procurement methods that bring builders into the development after significant decisions are proven to be inefficient in project delivery and EXPENSIVE – as it divides the design and construction process into two (often competing) parts.

The Traditional Method

The traditional method operates by; predesigned projects won at tender and the design work is often complete to the point of building permit.

In this case the work is won on a bid for construction only.

At that stage we often deal directly with; the owner, their nominated superintendent or building designer as the client representative and often find that significant savings could have been realised if only, we had been involved earlier on in the process.

Early Stages of ECI

In the early stages of ECI – during initial consultations, we can provide input on preliminary drawings for the client.

Our qualified team can assess the buildability aspects and value engineering opportunities of the project and are able to include proper construction know-how and construction costs together with the design process.

Whether you proceed with your own independent building designer to document the project or take on the next stage in entering into a fixed price design and construct contract for the works, we are sure that, we can add value by way of our knowledge and advice being brought to bear at this early stage.

We operate the greater majority of our projects by way of the design and construct “managing contractor” method, where we rain sole responsibility for the initial design development, design progression, approvals and construction documentation preparation as well as subcontractor and supplier management, client liaison and construction management.

Advantages of ECI

Some of the Advantages of ECI include:

• A less intensive tendering process;
• Fewer variations during construction;
• Shortened delivery time;
• Provide greater value than traditional
procurement models;
• Less adversarial structure;
• More cost effective;
• Increase transparency (including in relation to costs), therefore reducing risks such as reduction of
litigation;
• Increase of shared responsibilities and a reduction of anyone’s ability to “pass the buck”.

At Mapel Building, we deliver one of the highest quality products in the marketplace.

It is not only cost effective, but able to be delivered with certainty, on time, on spec, within budget, safely and to our clients absolute satisfaction.

We are a one stop shop for all your commercial & industrial building needs.

Our team of highly qualified building designers, engineers and builders will help bring your vision to life, and we will be with you every step of the way.

Through our experience and the process of engaging Mapel to assist and through the benefits of ECI clients can capitalise on our 200+ years of combined experience and explore the benefits of what we have to offer.

For more information on about Early Contractor Involvement, please call 08 9456 1955 or email info@mapel.com.au to talk to one of our experienced team members.