Our Process

Scheduling

An Important component in controlling the project schedule and costs is to develop and properly maintain a realistic project schedule. The basic goal of any schedule is to identify all tasks that directly impact the completion date (critical tasks) such that the project can be sequenced in the most efficient way. In addition, a properly constructed schedule allows the Contractor and Owner to monitor progress and to identify conflicts and delays before they impact the project.

Jack 'N Tool Box, Inc. will incorporate the following to produce an accurate and useable schedule utilizing Microsoft Project:

• Activity durations and interdependencies with other activities;
• Working calendar;
• Material order dates and delivery times for long lead-time items;
• Company resources assigned to each activity to assist in subcontractor management.

Due to inevitable changes, the project schedule is a living document that is used as a tool by the project management team throughout the life of the project.  The Project Manager will maintain the schedule on a weekly basis or more frequently as conditions require.  The Project Manager will provide updated project schedules on a bi-weekly basis or as other wise agreed upon. Schedules can be provided in hard copy or e-mailed as PDF documents.

Cost Control

Cost control for the project is accomplished by setting an initial budget, tracking job costs and forecasting final construction costs on a regular basis.

Jack 'N Tool Box utilizes the software programs: Timberline Estimating and On-Center Software to develop construction estimates and initial budgets.  The Timberline program utilizes a customized cost database which Jack 'N Tool Box updates with local construction costs recorded from previous projects. On Center Software is used to electronically estimate directly from plan PDFs.  Historical costs are used as a starting point for materials and subcontracted work which are then updated when quotations specific to the project are received.  The budget will be finalized and negotiated with our client and then used as the baseline for the contract and tracking purposes.

Jack 'N Tool Box uses Quickbooks Contractor for its job costing and accounting function.  All job costs are coded by CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) project category prior to being input into the accounting system.  The coding allows for accurate job cost reports, which are used by the Project manager to track job costs and in preparing final job cost forecasts.