Successful outcomes come from successful beginnings
At Kenepuru Homes, we can offer valuable assistance to our clients by providing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) services in order to maximise potential and deliver excellence.
By offering ECI services to our clients, Kenepuru Homes can contribute valuable input on factors like constructability, cost estimates, risk management, and design optimisation. By sharing practical insights early in the design phase, we help pinpoint potential issues, refine construction methods, and suggest cost-effective solutions. This proactive involvement enables better decision-making and minimises the risk of expensive changes or delays during the construction phase.
What is ECI?
Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) is a construction project delivery method that integrates contractors into the project at the early stages of the design process. This approach encourages collaboration between the project owner, designers, and contractors to enhance project outcomes, including quality, cost control, and scheduling.
Key Benefits
Improved Cost Control
Early Contractor Involvement allows for more accurate cost estimates, helping developers set realistic budgets from the outset. Kenepuru Homes can identify cost-effective materials and construction methods, which can reduce overall project costs and prevent costly overruns during construction.
Risk Reduction
ECI enables contractors to identify potential risks early in the design process—be they construction challenges, material shortages, or design flaws. Kenepuru Homes can address any issues at the start helping mitigate delays and unforeseen expenses, ensuring smoother execution.
Faster Project Delivery
By engaging Kenepuru Homes early, the transition from design to construction is more seamless. This results in quicker decision-making, fewer delays due to design revisions, and an overall faster project timeline. For developers, this means meeting deadlines and getting projects completed on time.
Enhanced Design Quality
Kenepuru Homes offers valuable practical expertise, ensuring that designs are not only innovative but also feasible and efficient. Our input on constructability and design optimisation helps identify potential issues early.
Enhanced Collaboration and Communication
ECI encourages close collaboration between the developer, contractor, and design team from the beginning. This alignment fosters clear communication and ensures that all parties work together toward common project goals, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring the project stays on track.
Optimised Project Outcomes
Overall, ECI leads to a more efficient and effective project delivery. Kenepuru Homes can help shape the design, optimise resources, and ensure better risk management, so that developers can expect higher-quality results and a more predictable project path, all while maintaining budget and schedule control.
Success Stories
Wairarapa Project: $300,000 Savings
For a client in the Wairarapa, we helped streamline the design and construction process on a four-dwelling project. Through ECI, we simplified the design, recalculated insulation needs, and renegotiated with contractors. The result was over $300,000 in savings, demonstrating how early involvement of the contractor can drive both cost efficiency and design effectiveness.
Wellington Development: $500,000 Savings
Kenepuru Homes engaged with the developer during the design phase, allowing us to identify over $500,000 in potential savings on a 12-unit development. By collaborating on adjustments to elevations, foundation design, and insulation requirements, we were able to optimise costs while maintaining the original floor plans, achieving significant savings without compromising design intent.
Lower Hutt Water Service Redesign: Cost Savings
For a new development in Lower Hutt, we consulted our civils contractor early to evaluate the practicality and cost of the water service design proposed by the client’s engineers. Kenepuru Homes revised the design to ensure it could be built more efficiently, saving the client significant time and money.
Upper Hutt Site: Profitable Strategy Shift
On a challenging site in Upper Hutt, the client initially planned to demolish an existing dwelling and build three two-storey duplexes, but couldn’t make the project financially viable. Through ECI, we were able to identify a more cost-effective approach. This adjustment improved construction efficiency and overall market value, turning the project into a profitable venture.
We can turn your development into a success story too. Contact us today.