Value Engineering
How does VE Work?
Value engineering is the process of providing the same quality building and/or features at less expense.
Working abstractly in a preconstruction mode, an architect or engineer cannot always design the most economical solution to a building scenario. Or, to be as professional and safe as possible, they may specify building systems to meet expensively high performance standards. For example, a ventilation system may be designed to perform for a geographic region's coldest and hottest days on record.
At CJ Builders, we suggest a better way of changing the functionality of the design or the overall scope of the project to meet expectations at the lowest level of expense.
We may suggest changing building materials. We work with our subcontractors and use their specialized expertise to get their feedback on the real-world cost-effectiveness of building plans and specifications. As a practice, we ask them to bid per the specification then to submit an alternate bid that changes the spec, and saves money without affecting the quality of the operation of the finished building. We are constantly evaluating performance expectations and comparing them to specifications and the expense of construction.
How Does Function Analysis Work?
VE is a creative, organized effort, which analyzes the requirements of a project for the purpose of achieving the essential functions at the lowest total costs (capital, staffing, energy, maintenance) over the life of the project.
Through a group investigation, using experienced, multi-disciplinary teams, value and economy are improved through the study of alternate design concepts, materials, and methods without compromising the functional and value objectives of the client.
Benefits of VE
The costs for design and construction materials is a large portion of your construction project budget. Conducting value engineering will maximize your building’s value for your budget.
Conducting value engineering with your construction project provides you, the Owner, the following advantages:
- The most cost-effective building without compromising performance, function or aesthetics
- Identifies significant cost effective methods and materials that improve the value of design
- Provides savings in maintenance and operating costs with less expensive material and systems that have the same quality
- Decreases cost which increases profits
- Improves quality and value