PROVIDE SURVEYORS TO ASSIST IN

Value Engineering

The impact of these and related decisions on the initial cost of a building or structure also must be considered, particularly during the owner/contractor "value engineering" (VE) process. Efforts by the contractor or owner/developer to reduce the initial cost of a building or structure by applying the principles of value engineering to the design and construction of the building enclosure must be carefully weighed by the Architect/Engineer-of-Record against the best long-term interests of the owner/end-user based on the intended service life of the building or structure. This is particularly true with regard to laboratory and field performance testing, as well as the selection of through-wall flashing materials and related moisture management systems and accessories. In too many instances, pre-construction laboratory mock-up and field quality assurance tests typically required by the design professional to verify the constructability and performance of the building enclosure are considered cost-prohibitive on a project and, therefore, eliminated during the VE process. Similarly, through-wall flashing materials selected by the design professional, in part, for long-term durability and performance (such as stainless steel or lead-coated copper flashings and drips) are often substituted for lower performing materials that, despite their lower initial cost, are significantly more vulnerable to in-service degradation and failure. The cost associated with successfully addressing uncontrolled rainwater penetration and moisture ingress arising out of decisions made during the VE process can be significant, and the work highly disruptive and invasive. Again, the desired outcome of the VE process must be carefully weighed by the design professional against the long-term interests of the owner/end-user, and the intended service life of the building or structure.