When construction projects get out of control, it is typically pretty easy to trace the issue back to one thing, whether expected or not — delays.
There are many moving parts in just about every construction project, creating the potential for surprises as you move forward. When you consider all of this uncertainty, you might wonder:
How can I minimize the potential for delays on my project?
To help you out, we put together a guide to avoid delivery delays on your shop drawings based on trends we see from projects we work on here at Advantage Drafting.
Continue reading to learn more!
Providing DWG (CAD Files) of Architectural Sets
If you can provide us with DWG or CAD files right off the bat, it helps us from having to take the extra step of converting all of your provided PDF documents.
While it is not necessary, it can help speed up the process and reduce the potential for delays.
We understand that you may not always have DWG or CAD files available. However, if you ask your architect or GC and provide them to us IF you do have them, you will be able to rest at ease knowing that you are doing your part to minimize potential delays.
Providing Complete and Detailed System Information on Your JIF
(Job Information Form)
To ensure that we have the most detailed information possible for your projects, we will have you fill out a Job Information Form first. Having all the necessary information about your project in one place helps to secure accurate and precise product delivery.
Plus, if we have nuanced information right from the start, it reduces the need for RFIs (Request For Information).
Providing ALL Special Notes and Instructions In Writing
Sometimes, our clients have very particular instructions that the initial documents do not make clear. In other cases, our clients sometimes request they provide us with specific details over the phone, making things far easier to get misconstrued as the details move from team member to team member.
In these cases, we always suggest sending a detailed email to your assigned project coordinator to ensure the fulfillment of any special requests.
With written, detailed information, YOU will know that WE know precisely what is required of us for your project. Plus, it assures you that there will not be any potential misinterpretation of information given to us over the phone.
We work as a team here at Advantage Drafting. With written records and documents, we can copy and send specific and detailed instructions to every person on our team to ensure we are all on the same page.
We believe dependability is essential, which is why we always seek to have the most transparent communication possible between each of our team members. When our clients provide clear-cut, specific instructions, they help to ensure that our internal systems run smoothly, efficiently, and dependably.
Having detailed information will reduce the need for our RFIs later down the line, and minimize potential oversights that could lead to delays, taking the guesswork out of each project and making the overall process far more efficient.
Holding Additional Project Updates Mid-Production Until After the First Submittal
Allowing your service provider to be “in the know” before the production process starts is crucial.
While we can certainly accommodate any changes or updates throughout the production process, we can’t ensure that they will not cause disruption. Additional changes during the production process could mean we have to backtrack over our completed work, creating discrepancies, delays, oversights, and the potential need for further clarification.
We understand that sometimes changes are inevitable, which is why we always seek to establish a communicative relationship with our clients so that they know the impact of any changes made along the way. When we give our clients insight from a time and monetary standpoint, we are often able to eliminate any changes that may be unnecessary.
Respond as Quickly as Possible to Requests for Information (RFIs)
In the case that the initial information you provide is not clear, our team will issue a request for information to obtain further clarity. If we issue an RFI, it is best if you are able to respond to it as quickly as possible.
The quicker you respond, the less likely the chances of your project being placed on hold, losing its spot in the production queue, or experiencing an undesirable lag.
Final Thoughts
No matter how large or small a project is, delays may happen. With dependability at the core of our company’s mission, we always look for ways to help our clients better understand our process.
Exceeding our customer’s expectations is more important to us than anything else, which is why so many of our customers continue coming back to us for their shop drawing needs.
If you’re looking for quality shop drawings and dependable service, make sure to get in touch with us at Advantage Drafting today to request a free quote!
