Reducing Change Orders with Third Party Review of Construction Documents

Errors in construction documents developed for public works projects are often a cause for change orders. While architects and engineers strive for accuracy, projects are complex, and it can be difficult for the designer to always catch all of the potential problems in the drawings and specifications.

One tool that a number of owners use to mitigate against errors is to hire an independent, third party to review the construction documents prior to bidding the project. The third party can identify inconsistencies in the documents that can be corrected prior to bidding. To the extent that the bidding documents are clear, there is less likelihood that there will be as many change orders.

Phillip Foreman, the president and CEO of Foreman Architects Engineers and the Foreman Group of Companies , has written a helpful article on third party review of construction documents. Entitled "Cost Control: Preventing Change Orders is Key for Reducing School Construction Costs During Tough Economic Times," the article appeared in the July 2009 edition of American School & University Magazine.