Nigro Firm
KeenLook construction document
coordination review services
1-801-737-0814
info@nigrofirm.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people in the construction industry are finding out about the value of a KeenLook construction document coordination review and want to learn more. So, here is a collection of a few questions commonly asked by those thinking about requesting a KeenLook review. If you do not see the answer to your question here, please take a few moments to browse our entire web site. If you still have questions, feel free to email us and we will be happy to help you. Email queries to info@nigrofirm.com.
How do I request a review?
Every project is unique. If you think your commercial or government project can benefit from a KeenLook construction document coordination review, we need to know the particulars of each project to give you the best review speed, quality and cost. The easiest way for you to proceed is with a phone call... talk to Natalie at 801-737-0814.
What if I'm not sure if my project can benefit from a KeenLook review?
If you'd like us to evaluate your project to see if we can help you, we offer a complimentary preliminary mini-review. At no obligation to you, we'll put in a few hours of review effort on your project and see what we can find. This captures a glimpse of the type of discrepancies, errors, and omissions we can find and may continue to find during a full KeenLook construction document coordination review.
How soon should I contact the Nigro Firm if I want a construction document review?
As soon as possible, although we only review documents that are over 95% complete, we prefer to have the review scheduled in our calendar as soon as possible so we can ensure adequate time and resources to complete the review. However, on occasion, we have been able to perform a KeenLook review after the bidding process has concluded and the project has already begun construction.
What is a coordination review?
A coordination review, like KeenLook, is a comprehensive quality control review of construction documents that focuses on the consistency and coordination of the documents, rather than design or code issues. Reviews are most effectively performed by a third party unbiased reviewer, such as the Nigro Firm.
What other terms are used for a coordination review?
Although this type of review has existed for a while, it's use in the construction industry is relatively new... and the terms used to describe it have not yet become fixed. A few of the many terms that are used for a coordination review, some more specific than others, are:
- interdisciplinary coordination review, a coordination review between the disciplines
- intradisciplinary coordination review, a coordination review within each discipline
- cross discipline construction coordination review
- constructability review, or constructibility review
- construction document review
Does the Nigro Firm perform code or design reviews?
No. We perform interdisciplinary coordination and single discipline coordination reviews. We do not perform code reviews because our clients are located all over the world and it would be too difficult to learn local code laws. In order to maintain our objectivity, we do not do design reviews, which would involve the Nigro Firm becoming part of the design team.
What kind of errors does a KeenLook construction coordination review look for?
The Nigro Firm’s KeenLook review team looks for cross discipline coordination errors, such as inconsistencies between architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, telecom, security, technology, civil, landscape, water feature, pool, food service, demolition, and specialty (e.g., asbestos abatement, methane gas control, airport baggage handling, etc.) disciplines. The reviewers also look for general errors, inconsistencies, omissions and make a note of potential problem areas in the construction documents and related specs.
How much money can a KeenLook construction document coordination or interdisciplinary coordination review save?
No project is alike and we have no way of knowing the path not taken, but our clients and studies estimate that they experience a savings of roughly 3-12% of the total construction cost.
Who uses the Nigro Firm’s KeenLook review services?
We are open to exploring all types of projects, but generally, our clients consist of quality oriented project managers, owners, developers, contractors, and government officials who are involved in multimillion dollar projects. To read some testimonials from various clients, simply look at the snippets that are randomly cycling in our web site header, and visit our Feedback page.
What type of projects does the Nigro Firm Review?
We have reviewed or partially reviewed numerous types of new commercial construction, remodel projects and extensions including hospitals and medical facilities, condos and apartment buildings, justice, military and government buildings, K-12 schools, university buildings, transportation centers and parking structures, museums, art centers and theatres, stadiums, hotels and resorts, industrial buildings, supply centers and warehouses, airport terminals, office buildings and churches.
What type of projects may not benefit from a construction document review?
Almost every project can certainly benefit from a quality KeenLook review, since errors and omissions caught on paper are easier and cheaper to correct than errors caught onsite. However, reviews are most useful when the construction documents are over 95% complete and the project is complex. It is also essential that the client and the Nigro Firm can agree to a workable contract and the time requirements are feasible. We can only review documents printed in English; however, we can work with both metric and imperial units.
Does BIM and similar software tools eliminate the need for a KeenLook review?
No. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other similar software tools are only as good as the people coding them and using them. With my experience with artificial neural networks to enable computers to make "logical" conclusions or decisions, I've come to realize the immense complexity of such an undertaking. Things that humans can do naturally and easily are extremely difficult for computers to accomplish! Think for a moment. For a computer to know about a physical object that's in a building, ALL parameters of the object need to be told to the computer. If anything is "skipped for now" to help with formulating conceptual ideas, the modeling will instantly be compromised. And the human has to remember to go back and fill in every single tiny detail to get the BIM back on track.
As another scenario, suppose a creative design team wants to use an object or material in a unique way that the BIM developers didn't envision? The BIM becomes ineffective. Regardless of the number of what-if scenarios I can list to show that BIM is not the full answer to coordinated drawings and specs, the empirical evidence shows that BIM is currently not working. Construction documents that we've reviewed that have been subject to BIM have shown similiar numbers of coordination errors and discrepancies as those projects that haven't used BIM.
Does the Nigro Firm, Inc review international projects?
The Nigro Firm can review construction documents (drawings and specs) from any design team as long as they are in English and we can review in both metric and imperial units. We have experience with international projects located in Dubai, the Middle East, and Canada.
Can a KeenLook construction document coordination review reduce the number of change orders and requests for information (RFIs)?
Errors caught on paper and corrected on paper can greatly reduce the number of change orders and RFIs. Those who correct the discrepancies, errors and omissions marked in a construction document coordination review can save time, labor expenses and material costs.
Don’t A&E firms review construction plans in-house?
Exceptional A&E firms do have quality assurance protocols. However, usually their reviews are not cross discipline reviews, such as the mechanical drawings compared to the electrical drawings to ensure that all mechanical devices have a matching power supply. In addition, many A&E firms do not have the time, staff or expertise to perform a cross discipline review and may be biased towards their own work.
When is the best time to submit drawings for review?
The best time to begin a review is after the drawings and related specs are over 95% complete, and prior to bid. However, if we have time in our schedule, a spot review may be beneficial after the ground breaking. For example, it may be practicable to quickly review a complex area, such as an architectural, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and electrical crosscheck in a hospital or other large structure, before the builders reach that area of construction.
How do you fit a construction document coordination review into a project budget?
In general, a contingency fund of 5-10% of the construction cost is set aside for unforeseen conditions, technical errors, change orders and so on. However, a KeenLook construction document review may save many times the cost of the review, so the amount of money used out of the contingency fund is reduced dramatically.
What does a proof-read or marked up drawing look like?
In a full KeenLook review, by the time the Nigro Firm is done reviewing a set of drawings they are completely marked up with either highlighter colors or red-pen, because every area has been addressed.
How many projects has the Nigro Firm worked on?
As of December 2009, over 220 projects with a combined estimated construction cost exceeding $10 billion has passed through the Nigro Firm's doors.
Does the Nigro Firm review small projects?
We have reviewed projects as small as $390,000. Although we have worked on projects with construction budgets in excess of a billion dollars, most of them have fallen in the $5 to $30 million dollar range. However, projects of all sizes can benefit from a coordination review.
What drawings and specifications are needed by the Nigro Firm to perform a KeenLook review?
All requirements are unique, depending on the project and the needs of those requesting the review. In general, however, multiple sets of the drawings and specs will be requested. And if an electronic PDF copy of the Project is available, we'd love to have it, too.
Does the Nigro Firm need an electronic version of the drawings in CAD format?
No, we prefer to see the drawings on paper like the contractor will see them in the field.
How long does a coordination review take?
The time needed to conduct a coordination review depends on the size and complexity of the project. The exact timetable and completion date is included in the contract and rest assured — we have never missed a deadline.
After a KeenLook review what can I expect to get back from the Nigro Firm?
You will receive one-set of the marked-up drawings and specs. In addition, you will receive a short report summarizing the more significant errors, omissions and discrepancies found as well as comments or general concerns noted by the review team. Some optional services are also available for an added fee: a CD/DVD containing scans of the reviewed drawings, more detailed drawing-by-drawing and spec-section-by-spec-section reports, and a phone debrief to go over the more significant findings.
What causes change orders?
In general, change orders are caused by design coordination errors and omissions, unforeseen conditions, owner requested changes and technical errors. While the Nigro Firm cannot do anything about owner changes or unforeseen conditions, we can help you be aware of design coordination errors and omissions. Potentially a coordination review can decrease change orders by 50%.
Who performs the KeenLook reviews?
The Nigro Firm has a large review team available with members that specialize in specific coordination checks. For example, a team of reviewers led by our master electrician manages the electrical coordination reviews.
Is the Nigro Firm affiliated with RediCheck branded companies (a.k.a. the RediCheck Associates)?
No. The Nigro Firm previously operated as RediCheck Enterprises, Inc. and performed as a subcontractor for the RediCheck Associates including the RediCheck Firm LLC, RediCheck International Inc, RediCheck Pacific, RediCheck West Inc., RediCheck North LLC, RediCheck Northwest, and RediCheck South. In January 2008, RediCheck Enterprises, Inc. went back to its original business name, the Nigro Firm, and broke away from the RediCheck Associates, so we could market new and exciting services and explore creative marketing avenues without being restricted to the ever changing limitations of the “RediCheck” brand.
Does the Nigro Firm use the RediCheck System?
No. In the past, when the Nigro Firm operated as RediCheck Enterprises, Inc., we utilized a modified version of the RediCheck system. However, since leaving the RediCheck Associates, we do not use any fixed, static, published, or other known systems or checklists for performing coordination reviews. We customize a unique construction document review for your project based on the particulars of your project as well as your budget, schedule and areas of concern. Each project is different and cannot be served adequately by the limits of a predefined system or checklist.
Still have questions? Then feel free to call 801-737-0814 or email your question(s) to info@nigrofirm.com.