Construction Oversight in New York City Real Estate

Construction oversight in New York City real estate includes a wide range of responsibilities and activities to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Given the city's complex regulations and high costs, effective oversight is particularly critical.

Key Aspects of Construction Oversight

Quality Assurance

• Inspecting materials and workmanship:
  Monitoring construction to verify that the quality of materials and work meets project specifications.

• On-site product review:
  Actively inspecting products on-site and overseeing the construction of mockups from start to finish.

• Testing:
  Overseeing proper field testing of installed products and assemblies to verify performance, such as for waterproofing and airtightness.

• Preventing defects:
  Carrying out routine inspections and material testing to prevent defects and expensive rework.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

• Strict adherence to local codes:
  Ensuring compliance with New York City's complex and stringent building codes, zoning laws, and permit requirements.

• Third-party inspections:
  Engaging qualified third-party inspectors to provide an objective assessment of the project's compliance with specifications.

• Tenant protection plans:
  Verifying that a Tenant Protection Plan (TPP) is in place and being followed for occupied buildings.

• Worker and public safety:
  Overseeing safety protocols to protect workers and the public, including maintaining guardrails, netting systems, and sidewalk sheds.

• Secure sites:
  Ensuring construction sites are safeguarded against high winds, and that light materials and equipment are properly secured.

Financial Management

• Budget monitoring:
  Keeping track of costs and reviewing and approving contractor payment requests.

• Cost control:
  Implementing measures like contingency planning and transparent cost reporting to prevent unexpected expenses.

• Change orders:
  Negotiating and tracking requests for change orders to the project.

Schedule and Timeline Management

• Project tracking:
  Monitoring the overall timeline and ensuring that key milestones are met.

• Issue resolution:
  Identifying and promptly addressing any problems or deviations from the schedule to prevent delays.

• Progress meetings:
  Conducting regular meetings with contractors and other stakeholders to review progress.

Contractor and Project Management

• Vetting contractors:
  Thoroughly vetting contractors and establishing clear contracts.

• Coordinating teams:
  Managing multiple teams, delegating work, and coordinating among owners, contractors, and agencies.

• Communication:
  Facilitating effective and consistent communication among all project stakeholders.

Specialized NYC Requirements

• Controlled inspections:
  Overseeing specialized inspections required by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), known as Controlled Inspections, and filing the necessary technical reports (TR reports).

• Site-specific maintenance:
  Ensuring proper maintenance of utilities, egress points, and equipment. This includes specific requirements for cranes and hoists.

• Rodent control:
  Implementing a rodent control plan for the construction site.