Hiring a Construction Manager
K-12 School Bond Construction Projects
Navigating school bond funding can be complex, but with an experienced construction manager, your projects can achieve optimal results. At McCownGordon, we specialize in K-12 bond projects, ensuring they’re completed on time and within budget with minimal disruptions to your district. We engage the community and incorporate construction into the learning environment making working with McCownGordon the best construction experience.
Hiring the right construction manager for your school bond program
The best practice for a successful bond is engaging a construction management team as early as possible. McCownGordon provides holistic live estimates and schedules based on the master plan and design. McCownGordon not only provides preconstruction and constructions services, but also includes assisting the bond communication plan to help secure a Yes Vote and keep the community up-to-date throughout the project.
McCownGordon partners with the district and the architect to ensure the project scope fits within the bond budget. On past project, by providing value engineering solutions, our preconstruction team has not only met the budget, but added scope to a bond. One of our differentiators is the ability to help balance long-term and near-term needs to ensure the district gets the best value for their tax dollars.
When needed, McCownGordon can also help the school district navigate the bond process and ensure compliance with state requirements. In fact, McCownGordon has helped more than eight school districts pass their bonds through early project engagement and transparent communication regarding the budget. This approach ensures the community comprehends how their dollars are allocated.
Facilitating community engagement
Community support is crucial for passing a school bond. We recommend early involvement of financial, legal, design, and construction teams. Our participation in community meetings helps align project plans with community expectations. For a school bond issue to pass on the ballot, the district must listen to the community, engage with them, and get their buy-in on the project.
As experts about the construction aspect of a bond issue, we know exactly how important it is for us to be involved in those early stages. Being a part of the pre-bond work and the bond itself helps us learn about the community and what is important to it. With that information, we can make sure our construction plan responds to those needs and expectations.
It also gives the district the opportunity to truly understand the project from a facility standpoint. We help clients understand costs associated with construction and the technical realities of adding on or renovating existing school buildings.
FAQ to Selecting a K-12 Bond Construction Manager
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A GO Bond funds school infrastructure projects and requires a public vote. Early engagement with a construction management firm improves budget and timeline accuracy. Watch video
When considering a bond, a school district must anticipate future needs and requirements, accounting for growth, aging infrastructure, and other foreseeable factors. Early engagement of a construction management firm can add expertise and increase confidence in the budget accuracy and timeline of each project. Â
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Hire a general contractor once a project need is established. McCownGordon helps the district prioritize projects based on complexity, budget and schedule, while also balancing long-term and immediate needs. By joining the team before design is complete, McCownGordon also educates the public on where their tax-dollars are being allocated, aiding in the bond’s passage.
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In most states, the process for hiring a construction manager follows a formal procedure that generally involves reviewing the firm’s qualifications, proposals, and fees, followed by interviews with the top candidates.
Using a collaborative delivery method such as construction manager at risk (CMAR or CMR) mitigates risk and ensures project success.
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If you’re uncertain about where to begin, utilizing a sample Request for Qualifications (RFQ) can provide valuable guidance in selecting a contractor. SAMPLE RFQ
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Evaluate the contractor’s size, culture, capacity, and fees. Choose a firm with a strong track record and a reputation for meeting deadlines and budgets. Further, it’s essential to consider a company’s reputation and history of successful projects. While the temptation may exist to opt for the cheapest contractor, particularly since bonds are publicly funded, prioritizing a general contractor with a proven track record increases the likelihood of meeting the district’s needs while ensuring stewardship of public funds.
Advantages of hiring a construction manager with expert bond managementÂ
View Featured K-12 Projects
At McCownGordon, we support school districts with transparent, innovative solutions, ensuring successful K-12 school bond projects. Our portfolio includes projects for districts across Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, often leading to repeat partnerships.
