When last we left our little project, I had just discovered some minor omissions from the plans: specifically, the sound systems for the theatre. So as I worked to pull together specifications for that little addition, a few other items came to light
:
Some of the pipes carrying wires to WHO KNOWS WHERE?!?
- What lights are tied into the emergency lighting system?
- Where are the work lights for the spaces?
- How is power getting to the step lights for the seating?
- Aren't there supposed to be light fixtures in the window displays?
- Where are the running lights in the dressing rooms?
- How are we controlling the house lights for the different configurations in Theater 3?
- Where are the functional outlets in the theatre?
- Where are all the switches for the 217 lights in the building?
And so forth... As the framing for the dry wall is erected, the electrician is starting to put in the conduit to all the various lighting positions. The questions are mounting up daily, until I call a meeting of Carmen (the electrician), Trent (the GC), Richard (the architect), and Michael Rourke (theatrical lighting consultant). As it turns out, the electrical plans are not as fully detailed as they should be. A number of things got lost in the translation between my meetings with the architect meetings and his meetings with the Electrical Engineer who drew up the plans. A number of minor details were overlooked and (as you can see above), a few major ones.
We answer as many of the minor questions as I can, but some of the major ones require research. ie, if we select a new distribution system than the one originally planned, will it make the installation of the house lights cheaper? What fixtures exactly are we hoping to use? What system are we using to integrate the house lights? I can't answer a damn one of these questions without understanding the implications, both functional and cost-wise. The meeting goes for three hours and Michael, Richard and Carmen go off to start pricing some of our various options. Gathering the full fixture schedule, pricing the electrical and theatrical changes, integrating the sound changes, etc. takes six weeks. Work is still going on in the building, but the electrical phase of the project slows waiting for information, and the nine weeks originally planned lengthen to fourteen.
Plus there is the question of how to pay for these changes. The changes are wide ranging, and while Trent is absorbing some of the costs due to insufficient specifications, the theater is on the hook for a lot of changes. Initially, the change bid comes in at $46,000. That is $45,000 more than exists in my "overage" budget. Back to the drawing board, cut things, reorganize priorities, etc. Time is ticking away. Now, it's important to understand that I know nothing whatsoever about electrical systems or dimmer controls or sound systems. I am getting various contradictory opinions and options, and doing my best to make decisions as quickly as I can, but I freely admit that I know nothing, and so often need a pile of information to try and understand the correct path. Usually what I need are rough cost estimates. Does something cost $500? $5000? $50,000? I can't make educated guesses, because that only works if you have actual education in the material at hand. And ever since the Bush years, I fear the "gut check"... so... revise, remove, rebid.
Each of these changes sparks a review of existing areas to try and save money. This process goes on for four weeks and at the conclusion of it, we have reduced our change order to about $34,000 which I feel pretty good about. It's still money we don't have but it's less money that we don't have, so I'm wrapped in a lovely false sense of security:
"Look, I saved $12,000"
"Lovely, let's see it."
"Well, not so much saved as haven't actually spent..."
"So, we'll get it back at the end?"
"No.... we won't not have had $12,000 less"
"I don't even think that's a tense. 4 weeks well spent!"
"Thanks!"
"I was being sarcastic."
But, cash worries aside, I'm starting to think construction is... well, kinda pretty...
Check out the newest gallery.
Current score
Weeks in Construction: 15
Money committed/spent: $538,000
Days Behind: 25
Over Budget: $55,000
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