Construction Support

Axias’ cost and risk management services are not limited to the pre-construction phase of a project. We continue to add value at the bid procurement stage and once a contract has been signed and construction gets underway.

Training and experience qualify us as impartial experts who can look at a GMP proposal or a change order breakdown line by line while simultaneously assessing the contract requirements. Savvy owners understand the value of having an experienced and objective third party like Axias audit their construction projects or review and evaluate change orders. The return on this investment is typically more than 10 times our fee, proving that construction support services can and do improve an owner’s bottom line.

Change Order Reviews

To create a competitive environment during the bid phase, owners engage multiple bidders. But because conditions can change once a job is underway, diligence is critical to verifying that accurate costs are being accepted. Axias provides this service primarily to owners and occasionally to general contractors, negotiating as needed at the sub-contract level, or on the owner's behalf at the general contractor level.

Contract Integrity

The potential for adverse financial consequences to an owner is highest during the construction phase of a project, and the construction contract itself is their most valuable tool for managing project cost and risk. A thorough, structured contract establishes the framework for the change order process and includes comprehensive hourly labor rates and allowable indirect costs for the GC and all trades. We are often asked to help draft these changes in the work clauses or develop contract exhibits that document acceptable rates, sources, indirect costs, and other markups.

Contract Audits

The audit and review process is rigorous. Busy owners and their construction managers do not normally have the time to undertake this level of due diligence. Our construction support services group removes this burden, acting on the owner’s behalf to confirm that billings and payments are in accordance with contract documents.

Beginning the audit process at the GMP verification stage by analyzing a contractor’s proposal from the perspective of owner risk realizes the greatest long-term benefit. An audit at the project mid-point or at the end encompasses contractor and subcontractor payment applications, labor burdens, indirect costs, reimbursable costs, all change orders, contingency usage, and tracking use of allowances.

Recognized Value

Clients who recognize the value of contract audit and change order review services have repeatedly engaged Axias on multiple projects. We are proud to count among them such respected owners as Brookfield Properties, the Smithsonian Institution, the General Services Administration, Akridge, the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Navy, Carr Properties, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.