Design-Build Approach Delivers Transformative Solutions Through Trust and Transparency

If unexpected complications emerge after a concrete restoration project is already underway, having an expert team you can trust is essential. 

Discover how StructureCare’s design-build approach restored the structural integrity of a multi-level, conventionally reinforced parking garage through accountability, innovative solutions, and close collaboration after an ongoing project was left unfinished.

Problem: Picking up the pieces and correcting a failed parking garage restoration

A traditional design-bid-build project delivery method involves three steps, each typically using a different point of contact and approach. Since each step requires a different entity (consultants, contractors, and managers (PM)), these projects come with several risks, such as challenging communication, schedule delays, and unanticipated costs, all becoming the owner's headache. 

As experts in restoration, StructureCare understands and has witnessed the risks and downfalls of using design-bid-build on these types of projects. This is why, when a client called asking our team to help finish the restoration of an existing multilevel parking structure, we agreed—but only on the condition that the client follow our design-build business model. 

The previous contractor had completed a 25% replacement of the roof level when they stopped responding to calls. When drainage issues were discovered, the owner was left trying to figure out who was responsible. 

Due to poor workmanship, project delays, cost overruns, and lack of communication, the owner decided a new team was needed to complete the next phase of work. 

When they connected with us, we accepted the job with the requirement that we would control the entire process from design through the execution of the work. Additionally, we would take accountability for all changes within the remaining scope of work. 

Our engineers first evaluated and approved the original design, determining that the problems experienced during the initial phase of construction were primarily performance issues with the contractor. 

Solution: Providing innovative solutions with accountability and integrity 

StructureCare’s process is led by experienced engineers and encourages innovation to offer the most cost-effective, long-term solutions.  Our willingness to accept accountability for the full design-build outcome including unforeseen, underlying conditions, protects the owners from changes in scope, schedule, and costs associated with restoration. This differs from more traditional project delivery where the design consultant and contractor each limit their responsibility. 

Our process of total accountability is designed to ensure a consistent project delivery where we control inevitable change through a streamlined and frequent collaboration between our in-house design engineer and the field, which allows for quick and effective decisions, resulting in faster deliveries, no additional surprise costs, and clear communication with a single point of contact. 

For this particular client, the first step was to perform a thorough assessment of the structure's condition including the use of non-destructive testing like acoustic sounding of the concrete. This resulted in a preliminary estimate that approximately 1500 sq ft of the roof slab needed to be fully replaced.

During the execution of the project, as our field team proceeded with the demolition phase, we encountered significant underlying deterioration that was not apparent during the condition survey. The final amount of full slab replacement increased by nearly 70%. 

Our team quickly evaluated the most effective path forward, considering schedule and project logistics. Through innovation in our forming and pouring process, we were able to complete the work with a minor increase in the total project schedule.

Result: Building trust-worthy relationships and long-term satisfaction

Typically, parking structures are built to last up to 60-70 years. However, without the proper maintenance and a predictive approach to extending service life, they can deteriorate much earlier. 

StructureCare’s business model focuses on providing innovative solutions for the life of a structure. Through our experience and dedicated teamwork, we can deliver long-term solutions, building long-lasting client relationships. 

In the end, we successfully completed 2500 sq ft of replacement holding true to our original proposal commitment, without issuing a change order to our client. This may have cost us in the short term, but we ended up creating a long-term relationship that continues today.