Contractors estimate construction costs and develop construction procedures based on the information presented in the Documents. If Documents that reflect a high level of coordination and completeness are provided for a project, the construction process proceeds smoothly from the initial design phase through construction and owner’s acceptance. If incomplete, uncoordinated Documents are provided, the process will likely contain difficulties and conflicts, including inaccurate project billing, increased costs and missed budgets; construction misunderstandings; an excessive number of requests for information (RFIs) and change orders; conflicts among the design and construction teams; a disappointed and angry owner; and potentially costly and demoralizing litigation. These pitfalls can and must be avoided.

Chapter 1 “Purpose and Goals”

There has been a widening gap between the ability of the construction design profession to adequately describe its design and the ability of the construction industry to adequately develop a bid and schedule representative of that which it ultimately requires to construct projects.

Chapter 2 “Background”

The greatest opportunity for a complete set of Documents exists when good communication is coupled with experience.

Chapter 4 “Project Communication”

Coordination of Documents with other disciplines goes well beyond checking that the SER’s gridline dimensions match the architectural and that the dimensions “close”. Of particular concern for the coordination with architectural drawings, the SER should check that tolerances for structural materials are accounted for.

Chapter 5 “Coordination of Documents”

Although the responsibility for basic dimensioning of the building rests with the prime professional, the SER should verify that dimensions shown on the structural drawings are complete and coordinated in themselves. All dimensions shown on the structural drawings should be checked against the architectural drawings and should also be checked for closure.

Chapter 7 “Dimensions”