How Dakota Handles A Development Project

At Dakota Developments we are an architectural collective but we also handle the project management end of construction as well. That means that we are involved the project from start to finish so it is a good idea to go through exactly how we handle a development project. This will give you a good idea of what to expect if you work with us as well as show you how we are different from other firms.

The first thing that we do when we take on a development project is to sit down with the client and find out exactly what their needs are. This is an important part of the process since everything else will flow from that. Once we know what their needs are we will produce some preliminary designs so that we can make sure that the client is getting exactly what they want. If not we will work with them to alter the design to make sure that it is exactly what they are looking for.

Once the client has approved the design the next step is to prepare all of the construction drawings. These are much more involved than the drawings that are used for the customer since they need to show the builders exactly how the building is to be constructed. Once these drawings are done we will make sure that we get all of the necessary approvals. We will contact the engineers and get them to sign off on everything and then we will contact the city to get all of the required permits. At this stage we are almost ready to start construction.

The next thing that we have to do is to find somebody to actually do the construction. That means that we are going to have to solicit bids. This is where things can start to get really tricky which is why you want to work with an experienced firm. Certainly you want to get the work done at the lowest cost possible, the danger however is that if you go with the lowest bid you will end up with somebody who can't do the work correctly. This is where we can help to sort through the bids and make sure that you get the best possible builders at the best possible price.

At this point actual construction can start and that is something that needs to be managed. This is a service that we provide so that we can be sure that the building is constructed in exactly the way that the client wants it. Inevitably during the construction phase there will be changes that need to be made in the design which is another benefit of having the architects involved in managing the project, we can make sure that the changes fit in with the overall design of the building.