Project Approach
Duplan Construction uses the team approach in offering the full range of preconstruction and construction services. We involve ourselves with all project aspects and find ways to save you money by offering alternative materials, systems and methods, and keeping you informed of their effect on the project's cost, time and quality. You can communicate your problems and special needs to a group which is eager and capable to help you develop these requirements into highly efficient working systems and cost effective facilities. Our competence is knowledge-driven by practical field experience, understanding of innovative construction management technologies, proactive staff and a commitment by the entire team to meeting client requirements. We feel it is a vital part of every project to maintain an open and consistent communication between the design build team and our field personnel. We hold regular jobsite meetings with our subcontractors and make certain the information flow is aided by weekly meeting minutes and other written documentation. Duplan Construction has experience and is very comfortable in design/build approach to a project, often accepting the responsibility of putting together a team of top contractors including the architect, mechanical/HVAC contractor, electrical contractor, and plumbing contractor (if applicable). In other circumstances, Duplan will negotiate or bid fee and general conditions and bid all subcontractors. Duplan also has extensive experience in working with hard bid structure to a project.

Estimating
Duplan Construction Inc. has extensive unique subcontractor and consultants relationships, therefore, a cohesive design engineering team will be built. The Electrical and Mechanical Design/Build teams for the project will be established at this time through the following criteria; contractors capabilities, completed projects of similar scope, ability to meet schedule, and working relationship. Costs and unit costs will be established to avoid costly "unforeseen" potential future change orders. System and equipment verifications will be performed confirming and ordering as required any long lead time items. Estimating plays an important role to control the project costs and identify areas for significant cost savings. Duplan Construction uses American Contractor software. This system can track thousands of cost categories or tasks per job. A typical job may have 50 - 100 tasks. A detailed estimate is prepared by our Project Management team. This detailed estimate tracks labor, materials, equipment, subcontract and other costs for each task on the job. Labor is input each Thursday, all other costs are input daily upon receipt and verification of accuracy.

Change Order Process
When the scope of work changes regardless of whether costs are affected, a reference or tracking number is used to identify the potential change in contracted work. All affected subcontractors are contacted in writing to communicate the new intent. When the directive is anything more than just a clarification or bulletin, (which usually have no cost impact) then a Cost Proposal or Change Estimate is created to evaluate the extent of the actual adds and deducts to the individual trades involved.

Value Engineering
Duplan actively pursues a thorough process of analyzing all possible cost savings during the preconstruction service phase of a project. In our efforts to save the client money for a system or element of the project that performs similarly to the current design, we also examine all the future implications to what we propose. We use the term "Value Analysis" to describe this process. Value analysis does not always equate to immediate cost savings. We may evaluate a particular idea that initially may cost more than the current system, but the long-term effect will provide better value and service. Duplan estimating staff has over 80 years of combined Estimating experience. Years of hands on field experience has allowed us to provide "Value Analysis" to every project, therefore, providing the best possible price while maintaining the highest quality of construction. Conceptual cost estimating will begin and project budgets will be developed. These Construction Costs will provide the guidelines for your project expenditure planning.

Scheduling
Duplan Construction Inc. designs and produces Microsoft Project schedules "In house" and they are capable of tracking thousands of tasks at the same time. All items are cohesively scheduled, ordered, and completed for the project. All project requirements with the appropriate time allotments will be addressed. These master schedules are updated bi-weekly for the most accurate project schedule control. These schedules will be distributed to all team members at weekly meetings.

Project Closeout
All final approvals and Certificates of Occupancy will be obtained. Through our project supervision and quality control, our goal is to complete the project with zero punch list items. During the final two weeks of the project we will perform our own preliminary final punch lists and complete them. The formal punch list for the project will then be formulated with all team members involved and completed immediately. The quality of construction with the preliminary lists formulated and completed by ourselves will greatly reduce your time and involvement on the final formal punch list. The project closeout will include operations and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings, guarantees and warranties, extra-material requirements and final reports are sent to the owner/user in duplicate. One copy is kept by Duplan Construction for future reference and per company policy. Prior to startup, we will provide tours to appropriate personnel to review the mechanical, piping and electrical rough-ins before they are covered up. This will enable the staff to familiarize themselves early on with the building systems and see first hand the locations of ductwork, dampers, pipelines, valves, electrical feeders, cable trays, etc.

Relationship
Upon project completion we at Duplan Construction Inc. feel we have a partnership for life. We will always be available to immediately service even your smallest construction requirement. We pride ourselves on; Projects completed on time, within budget, satisfied clientele and repeat business. With the extent of this comprehensive in depth information provided about Duplan Construction Inc. we hope that upon review it will allow you to see the benefit of having Duplan Construction Inc. on your next Construction Project Team.

Safety Program
Our safety program goal is to maximize risk control and keep injuries or accidents to a minimum. We hold bi-monthly Safety Meetings with all field personnel. The safety manual is available for your review and illustrates our training methods.

Project Team
Duplan Construction Inc. considers the formation of the project staff to be one of our biggest responsibilities in ensuring a successful project and one of our best assets. Every project is staffed by; a Project Principal working extensively on design and assisting in estimating and project management through project completion ensuring all requirements are successfully met. A Project Estimator/Manager who assumes the responsibility and leadership role for our construction effort using proven controlling programs directing all team efforts, a Project Superintendent responsible for on site daily construction effort providing years of experience to ensure the highest level of project performance and quality control, a Project Administrator providing contract administration and overall project support. Duplan Construction Inc. project staffing teams bring a minimum of 60 years of high level construction experience into every project. Our primary effort is to provide the best people for the job. In assembling our team, we selected those known for strong management skills and technical expertise. These managers, estimators, and others have worked together on other projects.