Construction monitoring, a multi-purpose tool for risk management, evaluates and documents the progress of site improvements, providing the stakeholders another tool to evaluate risk. During the construction phase, the site visit is crucial for the construction monitoring process and substantiates that construction progress is in line with the construction billing and schedule. Establishing a site visit plan at the project’s outset can be a key tool to evaluate construction progress and assist in protecting the collateral for the project during construction. Tailoring site visits to meet the individual needs of a project based on the requirements of the stakeholders and investors supports the project schedule and budget.
In-Person/Onsite Site Visits
In-person site visits require the construction monitoring consultant to physically visit the construction site. The construction monitoring consultant meets with a representative of the General Contractor, such as the Site Supervisor or Project Manager, to discuss the construction progress and any issues that might affect the schedule or budget. Current site conditions are photographed, documented, and provided to the project stakeholders in a detailed report following the site visit. Timing of the in-person site visits can be monthly, bimonthly, or only when significant construction items are complete (milestones), depending on the needs of the project and stakeholders. These onsite visits allow the construction monitoring consultant to walk the entirety of the site, providing invaluable “boots-on-the-ground” information about the construction progress.
Virtual Site Visits
Virtual site visits allow the construction monitoring consultant to remotely perform a site visit. Virtual site visits may be performed using a live video walk-through with the General Contractor, through live view webcams located on the construction site, or by a phone interview with the General Contractor. In the phone interview, the Site Supervisor or Project Manager participates in a detailed dialogue that provides the site condition information required to assess the current construction status. Current site condition photographs are provided by the General Contractor for inclusion in the construction monitor report. Virtual site visits can be a cost-effective option for verifying construction progress while still providing a comprehensive report.
Combination Site Visit
Combining in-person/onsite and virtual site visits is another way that construction monitoring services are tailored to meet individual project needs. Integrating the two types of site visits allows the construction monitoring consultant to physically visit the site one month and conduct the next month’s site visit remotely. The invaluable “boots-on-the-ground” view of the construction progress provided during the in-person/onsite site visit combined with the convenience of the virtual site visit can be the perfect fit for a project’s budget. The monthly construction monitoring report will keep stakeholders updated on current site conditions, regardless of the method used to obtain the information.
Consistently checking in with the General Contractor increases the chances of early identification of potential problems. This proactive approach helps to begin identifying solutions before major complications occur and allows the stakeholders to be aware of potential issues to the schedule or budget. Detailing how and when the construction progress will be monitored should be done at the start of the project, so the stakeholders, general contractors and the construction monitoring consultant understand how the project monitoring will unfold. Thinking outside the box will help to identify the best form of site visit to support project risk management.
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