What We do
Olive Branch Consulting Ltd. (OBC) first evolved from our observations as we performed construction loan monitoring services under the employ of another company. We noted that projects, more often than not, exceeded the budget and were completed well past the scheduled completion date. In both cases, additional hard and soft costs were incurred by the Owner/Developer. We established OBC, providing Owner Representative services, to develop a realistic design and financing scheme to meet the Owner’s objectives and to assist in the management of the project from design through construction administration.
The growing need for better management and a more comprehensive, transparent process in other key areas of the building industry prompted us to add additional ‘branches’ to our consulting services over the years. Our expertise as Owner Representatives, coupled with our experience (and frustrations) with the building design and construction process in projects we have managed over the years, has equipped us with the right set of tools to effectively and efficiently provide a wide range of additional services to our clients.
Owner’s Representative
Capitalizing on our experience in the construction industry enables us to provide consultation to our clients including investors / developers / stakeholders throughout the pre-construction, construction and
post-construction phases including:
Budgeting & Estimating
Developing a realistic budget and financing scheme, providing consultation on value engineering and interface with funding sources & government agencies as needed.
Construction Operations Consulting
Actively involved in the day-to-day progress to ensure milestones are met and to document critical aspects of the on-site project status through our comprehensive field reports.
Cost Control / Verification
Advising the Owner on potential cost overruns, reviewing payment requisitions, and evaluating the integrity of change orders throughout the project which includes managing the contingency.
Project Management Services
Providing full and supplemental project management services for various types of construction including residential, commercial, civic and medical facilities.
ONGOING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Support the project team in advancing each project, meeting milestones, and communicating with the funding sources/agencies.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Weekly on-site presence, as many times deemed necessary, to adequately perform our services with respect to project management and assessing ongoing work. Provide communications to the Owner and other necessary parties, prepare monthly construction schedules, and issue Field Reports after each site visit.
SITE SUPERVISION
Provide licensed site supervision if necessary to advance our project management services.
Project Assessment
Providing licensed site supervision if necessary to advance our project management services.
Scope of Work Review
Review all plans and specifications and types of filings that pertain to the project for the purpose of gaining a thorough understanding of the construction project.
On-Site Operations
Actively involved in the day-to-day progress to ensure milestones
are met and to document critical aspects of the on-site project status through our comprehensive field reports.
Budget
Review the construction budget and report to ownership if the remaining budget is sufficient to complete the job. Review subcontractor scope and buyouts versus trade payment breakdown.
Property Conditions & Physical Needs Assessment
Developing a Physical Needs Assessment of existing buildings based on assessment of the building systems and physical conditions. Reviewing documentation, including past assessments, to provide a cost estimate of immediate needs, capital reserves, and recommendations for the improvement of building energy efficiency and ADA Compliance.
VACANT BUILDINGS
Based on our inspection of existing vacant properties/structures and review of related documentation including Building Department Files, we generate a detailed, written evaluation of the property condition and provide our observations on related issues/conditions.
OCCUPIED BUILDINGS
Based on our inspection of existing occupied buildings and review of drawings, documentation, Building Department files and other related information, we generate a detailed, written evaluation of existing conditions, recommendations for corrective action, and periodic reserve schedules (10-year, 20-year or 30-year) based on the remaining useful life, condition of the building, and its components.
Peer Review
Performing a review of a full project drawing set & specifications at various stages of the design process: Design Development, Construction Document and Bid Set Document phases.
Coordination
Identifying any conflicts between the consultant drawings (Architectural, MEP/FP, Structural, etc.) that need clarification to prevent any misinterpretation.
Constructability
Reviewing the scope of work and drawing set for any potential issues during construction that often result in change orders, on-site coordination issues, or scheduling delays.
value engineering
Providing a list of potential items that can either be eliminated or substituted to lower construction costs for the project.
Low Voltage Management
Low voltage technology is an ever-growing sector of the building industry that includes:
- Access Control
- Wireless Network
- Computer Networking / Data Cabling
- Telecommunications / Audio-Visual
- CCTV / Surveillance Systems
- Power Over Ethernet Lighting
- Building Security
- Telephone
Coupled with the increase in demand for low voltage technology is an increasing need for more comprehensive design, management and budgeting for these systems. A thorough bid document package is a critical component to establishing a realistic budget for your low voltage systems, clarifying the scope of work for all trades involved, and minimizing cost and schedule overruns. OBC Low Voltage Management Services can assess your low voltage technology needs to establish the right team for design and installation.
I have worked with the OBC Team for 9 years and through 7 projects and they have never let me down. From complicated gut rehabs to rushed new construction projects, Joe Olive and his team have demonstrated professional knowledge of development and construction as well as their very diligent, effective review process and sincere dedication to a project from design through completion.
Arlo Monell Chase, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Property Development // Services for the UnderServed Inc.