Construction Consultants Key Terms

Learn what types of services a construction consultant can offer your company

By Yvette Pryce, Freelance Writer

If your business is involved in construction projects, you will most likely use the services of construction consultants. However, construction consultants have a wide range of services, and it's helpful to seek out those consultants who offer services tailored for your needs. With an understanding of key terms associated with construction consultants, such as "claims consulting" and "due diligence," you'll be able to quickly find the firms that can help you with your specific business needs.

Project management

In construction consultancy terms, project management refers to the oversight of an entire project, from inception to completion. Elements of construction project management can include obtaining contracts, planning the project, scheduling contractors and ensuring the project adheres to the timeline. Most all-service construction consultants offer project management services.
Try: JPM Construction Consultants defines what its project management service entails, and why project management is important. The firm also details the other construction consultancy services it offers.

Construction safety consulting

Construction safety consulting focuses on ensuring the safety of all phases of your construction project, with an emphasis on safety evaluations before your project begins. It can include consulting on topics like site safety and best safety practices.
Try: Read more about construction safety consulting at the website of Philip L. Colleran, CSP, a consultant who specializes in construction safety.

Claims consulting

In the construction industry, claims consulting services are for businesses involved in a construction-project-related lawsuit or potential lawsuit, whether as plaintiff or defendant. Claims consultants can investigate the construction project problem and also provide litigation support, including expert testimony.
Try: Sadaka offers an overview of services that commonly comprise claims consulting and litigation support.

Earned Value Management, or EVA

EVA is an effective technique that a construction consultant may use when providing project management services. Under an EVA system, the consultant will create a project plan that lists all necessary work; a Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (BCWS) document, which notes the cost of the necessary work; and a set of metrics to determine the Budgeted Cost of Work Perfomed (BCWP). Beyond these basics, different construction consultancies offer a range of additional elements.
Try: Visit K2 Construction Consultants to view a list of services that fall under the firm's Earned Value Manangement systems.

Due diligence

In the field of construction consulting, due diligence generally refers to a pre-construction -- and often pre-purchase -- examination of potential risks associated with both the site and the project itself. Due diligence includes defining the scope of required work, examining any environmental issues that may impact the project, and creating an analysis of the project budget.
Try: The Spire Consulting Group provides an overview of their due diligence services.

Design-Build, or D-B

D-B is a contract in which the contractor is responsible for both the design of the project and the actual construction. This approach can save you both time and money, and it can be worth it to locate a construction consultant who familiar with this approach.
Try: Read Frank McDonough's article about Design-Build, including its advantages and potential disadvantages, at McDonough Bolyard Peck.