construction managers

 

general contractors

 

Affinity Project Management & Communication Tools

Management

Affinity Builders uses the management style of “The High-Performance Team” to complete successful projects and manage team member expectations. The “high-performance team” is regarded as tight-knit, focused on their goal and nothing else. Team members are so devoted to their purpose that they will surmount any barrier to achieve the team's goals.
When working with Affinity Builders, all Architects, Clients, Vendors and Sub-Contractors will experience:

  • Participative Leadership
  • Clear Goals and Success Criteria
  • Defined Roles and Responsibility
  • Effective and Timely Decision Making
  • Open and Clear Communication
  • Mutual Trust
  • Conflict Management
  • Transparent Accounting
  • Added Value through suggested trade-offs among cost, schedule and scope
  • Pre-Determined Goals and Success Criteria
  • Positive and Productive Work Environment

Estimating

  • Affinity Builders uses the “Detailed Estimate Method” to determine the overall cost of each project. This method of estimating is more accurate than “square-foot estimates” or the “component method”. When using this method we must determine all the different items such as materials, labor, trade contracts and equipment that are required. We determine how much of each item is needed and the price of each item. The “Detailed Estimate” takes more time but we usually complete all estimates within 2 weeks. All project budgeting information is provided in the form of spreadsheets and created in Microsoft Excel.

Scheduling

  • Affinity Builders uses a multi step process when completing a construction schedule. Our construction schedules are created in Microsoft Project and include tasks, phases, milestones, gantt charts and rough logic diagrams.

Accounting

  • Affinity Builders uses Project Specific accounting practices. This is essential for bidding, request-for-proposals, project management, invoicing, construction retention payments, and more.
  • Project costs fall into 3 main categories: Direct Labor & Materials, Sub-Contractor Labor & Materials, and Overhead.
  • A deposit is requested when the contract is signed. The deposit payment is used to acquire appropriate permits, source sub -contractor resources and secure all rate limiting materials.
  • Project revenue is accounted for by comparing expected project value to the approximate percentage of completion of the project. Specifically, payments are requested, over time, with completion invoices based on the projects construction schedule.
  • A Final Payment is requested upon satisfactory completion of the project. This final payment is called the construction retainer: it retains Affinity Builders until the project is completed to the client’s satisfaction.

Communication & Collaboration

  • Affinity Builders provides each project with a “client login” to our web site for effective communication and collaboration. “Basecamp”
  • Architectural plans, schedule, estimates and photos are always accessible through the “client login” or can be requested by email as a PDF.
  • Affinity’s construction managers and project managers are always available by cell, email or text.
  • Affinity progress pictures are always available through our client login, or through our Houzz Account.
  • Recommendations and testimonials are available through Houzz or Linkedin accounts.