Preconstruction Success: C.D. Fulkes Middle School
Over the last nine years, HPM has consistently served the needs of Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) in Round Rock, Texas, through the work of our Audit and Contract Services Group. When the district announced its $500+ million capital bond program in 2018, administrators knew they needed a trusted advisor with the experience and expertise necessary to lead them through such a challenging program. HPM was selected to serve as program manager, and our role with the district includes the three-year management of the planning, design and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools and the modernization of two high schools. From preconstruction to closeout, we provide strong advice and tangible cost savings at every step of the way.
As with any K-12 project, finding opportunities to save money is essential. RRISD’s bond program includes the demolition of several buildings to make way for the construction of a new three-story facility for C.D. Fulkes Middle School. Our Preconstruction Services team was brought in during the design-development phase and quickly jumped into analyzing the initial estimate provided by the general contractor, which was over the original budget. With an attention to detail that leaves no stone unturned, they discovered numerous areas to save the owner thousands of dollars through more accurate estimating.
“Essentially from the day we got involved, we were able to work with the GC and architect and brought it down by 8.5 percent,” said Jake Chapman, HPM Preconstruction Manager. “Unless an owner has the background and resources that we have, this is not something they would pick up on.”
Jake and others from the Preconstruction team connected with several subcontractors in Austin whose estimates brought the overall budget down significantly. Armed with our historical cost data and subcontractor outreach information, the GC and HPM were able to successfully reconcile the budget and ultimately bring down the price for the owner.
“There is typically always somewhere you can save money, but when we aren’t there to check it along the way, it might not happen,” Chapman said.
About Preconstruction Services
HPM’s Preconstruction Services set the table for a successful project and make the entire building process easier for the owner. We offer expertise in planning a construction project before the actual construction begins, including feasibility studies, cost analyses, estimating, master scheduling, and design team structure and selection.
