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Advice
Understand all aspects of the process, starting with the design, detailed design, and the fabrication model, all the way through to installation. If there are any parts not fully understood or covered by you or your team, hire expertise to fill the gaps as early as possible.
Advice
The challenge in getting people on the project team early is figuring out WHO to get in early.
Advice
Design Bid Build projects seem to come in over budget, probably due to feedback not being received early enough.
Advice
Having a design team that understands the entire process, or "vertical integrated design" helps to allay owner hesitancy to "lock in".
Advice
Have detailed conversations with concrete subcontractors to stress how important tolerance is. This is the most efficient method of achieving tighter tolerances, as concrete can't share models like steel can, for instance. An as-built survey helps, but adds time.
Advice
Suppliers want to sell you the best option but you need to know what you want first. Bring suppliers in early, but only make decisions once you know what you want.
Advice
Develop and share a water protection plan together with the general contractor. Work with the GC: they care because they have to install. Suppliers may or may not care, and also may not have the necessary facilities (eg. membrane applying station)
Advice
Avoid locking in to a product for the wrong reasons by hiring (or having on the team) the person with the most knowledge of mass timber: a structural engineer. Ask them for advice on the right product for your application.
Advice
Tighter tolerances may or may not end up saving money in the end.
