At The Douglas Company, with nearly 50 years of expertise as commercial general contractors in Ohio, Florida, and beyond, we understand that the success of a construction project hinges not just on the build itself but also on the meticulous planning and review that precedes it. A well-executed design review can prevent costly changes and delays down the line. Here’s a glimpse into our design review process and three essential checks we use to ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish.
1. Review Utilities: Aligning the Essentials
Utilities are the backbone of any construction project. During our design review, we meticulously check the alignment of utility locations across civil, architectural, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) drawings. It’s not uncommon to find discrepancies, such as water lines shown entering and emerging through the concrete slab in different locations across various drawings.
Our team also verifies that the specifications for natural gas, sewer, and electrical services match up across all documents. This includes reaching out to utility companies to confirm that they can meet the demands outlined in the plans. For instance, we’ve encountered projects where gas lines were sized based on pressure requirements that the utility company couldn’t support. By catching these issues early, we can make adjustments, such as upsizing gas pipes before installation, thereby avoiding potential delays and additional costs that could arise during equipment start-up.
2. Review Door Hardware: Ensuring Safety and Functionality
Doors might seem straightforward, but ensuring their proper installation and functionality is crucial, particularly in fire-rated areas. During our review, we carefully compare the door schedule against the drawings, making sure every door listed is represented and that each door includes a complete hardware package.
We also cross-check the fire ratings of doors located in fire-rated walls, ensuring they meet safety standards before the final life safety inspection. Furthermore, we examine electrical drawings to confirm that door power requirements are identified and accommodated. Missing power requirements can lead to significant issues, such as needing to cut holes in finished drywall to provide necessary power. Addressing these aspects early avoids last-minute problems and ensures a smooth installation process.
3. Review Reflected Ceiling: Coordinating Aesthetics and Function
The reflected ceiling design is another area where coordination is key. We overlay and review reflected ceiling drawings from architectural, electrical, mechanical, fire suppression, and interior design sets to spot potential conflicts. This step helps us identify issues such as ceiling lights and return grills that might be placed in the same location or misaligned with trim work shown in interior design drawings.
In some cases, discrepancies arise when different design teams work from different reflected ceiling sets—such as one showing an ACT (Acoustic Ceiling Tile) ceiling and another showing a drywall ceiling. Identifying these issues during the design review process helps us minimize rework and ensures a cohesive and visually appealing final product.
Conclusion
At The Douglas Company, our nearly five decades of experience as general contractors in Ohio, Florida, and surrounding states have taught us the value of a thorough design review process. By focusing on these three easy design review checks—utilities, door hardware, and reflected ceilings—we ensure that projects not only meet but exceed expectations, saving time and avoiding costly mistakes. For commercial construction management and preconstruction services in Ohio, Florida, and beyond, trust The Douglas Company to deliver excellence from the ground up.
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David Ender |
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