CLEAR THE FOG

In the construction industry, where new project delivery methods seem to pop up just as the fog begins to clear from the prior, it becomes difficult to know who to trust. Is it the company who’s real talent is “grooming”, offering invitations to the high-end steakhouses, country clubs, suite seats, or is it the best-dressed presentation team? If these enticements sound familiar, OWNER BEWARE—your project dollars will be fleeced, and you might not even realize it. Acronyms like DBB, CM, DB, CMc, BOO, BOT, CMAR are trendy terms for past and present project delivery methods, but these and grooming often obscure the true destination of your money.

There is a company known as Kramer Inc. that cuts through the fog, resulting not only in paying for themselves but also in delivering more dollars for your projects, without sacrificing quality.

Kramer is not your average consulting firm - they specialize in owner representative services, with a twist. Their mission is to bring transparency and accountability to all project delivery methods, ensuring that their clients are well informed and empowered to make the best decisions for their project dollars.

Kramer’s team is led by Purdue grad - Dan Sulkoske, a 46-year seasoned professional who has seen it all. Dan has worked in every corner of the industry, from construction management to general contracting, and he knows firsthand how confusing and opaque the design and construction process can be for owners. That's why he founded Kramer Inc., to be a guiding light for owners throughout their project journey.

Recently, Kramer was approached by a Public School Community to build a new state-of-the-art field house and other improvements. The school had a clear vision for the project - they wanted a cutting-edge facility that would attract top teachers, coaches, and students alike. However, they were unsure which project delivery method would be best suited for their needs and budget.

Dan and his team sat down with the school’s leadership to understand their goals, constraints, and risk tolerance. They explained the pros and cons of different project delivery methods, from traditional design-bid-build to design-build, construction manager at risk, and integrated project delivery. Kramer provided the school with a detailed review of existing contracts, cost estimates, timelines, and risk assessments for each method, so they could make an informed decision. What Kramer uncovered was nothing short of staggering. The school had previously entered into a project delivery method that stood to fleece the school for 30% of their funding or more.

Because of Kramer’s experience with design and construction contracts, they were able to terminate the CMc, GMP and Design Contracts with very little, or NO negative impact to the Owner. Within (3) months Kramer delivered several million dollars of cost savings and set up the school with a transparent project delivery strategy.

In the end, the school chose to move forward with a design-bid-build (DBB) project delivery method. This approach allowed them to utilize Kramer as a Design and Construction expert to identify potential issues and optimize the project's constructability and cost. Kramer serves as the owner's representative, overseeing the DBB process and ensuring that the school’s best interests are protected throughout.

Throughout the design and construction process, Kramer brings unprecedented transparency to every aspect of the project. They establish clear lines of communication between the school and the selected project delivery team, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. Kramer also implements a robust change management process, ensuring that any changes to the project scope, schedule, or budget are thoroughly vetted and approved by the school.

Thanks to Kramer’s efforts, the school’s project is on schedule to be completed within budget, and without sacrifice to quality – to date boasting recordable cost savings exceeding $10,000,000. The school’s leadership is thrilled with the outcome and grateful for the expertise and transparency Kramer brings to the project.

Kramer, with over 25 years of proven experience, is rapidly earning a reputation as the go-to firm for owner representative services, keeping funding where it belongs – with the Owner. They are known for their commitment to transparency and accountability, as well as their ability to simplify even the most complex construction projects. Dan, with his extensive experience and unwavering dedication to clients, continues to lead the charge, one project at a time.