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Owner’s representatives providing a successful risk management approach to construction on behalf of owners and developers for over 20 years.

Harlan+Associates
3601 Green Road, Suite 302
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
216.245.6227

Harley Cohen
harlan@siteconsult.com

Eric Greenberg, RA
egreenberg@siteconsult.com

1 BREAK IT DOWN

Budgeting, Scheduling,
and Constructability

In order to identify problems before they arise, and costs before they get out control. The planning is where we get our hands dirty.

Our unique Risk Management approach is rooted in what we refer to as a “Bottom-Up” method for designing, procurement and construction projects as opposed to the traditional “top-down” or Value Engineering method. The bottom-up strategy of estimating the cost of a project is based on the simple concept that each building element must be isolated and broken down into a line item budget. It starts with the foundations and goes up to the roof, where we identify each system’s cost. Our approach allows the design team to understand how their design directly relates to the budget, and how to get the design in line with the budget. This can and often does occur, when the owner only has a conceptual floor plan and possibly a 3D image.

In addition to just the raw costs, our team generates a conceptual construction schedule and evaluates the constructability of a project. The schedule not only provides the owner with a realistic construction schedule, but also allows the budget to consider additional costs associated with weather delays or identifying sequencing constraints when the project is built back up.

2 BUILD IT UP

Design, Manage Risk,
and Project Delivery

This is where the proper planning pays off. We review every detail and maintain an open dialogue with our clients so they can make informed decisions throughout the project.

Once the project has been broken down, it is time to build it up. We start by identifying and addressing the elements that present the greatest risk to the owner. Sometimes they align simply with the highest dollar value in the line item budget – but often, the greatest risks are the line items that have the potential to increase all the other line items. Once identified, H+A meticulously manages each element until it is resolved.

The next step in this process is to determine the most effective project delivery method. The project delivery method is the contractual method that will be used to procure the primary contractor, or contractor(s) to be engaged in the construction. There are a wide variety of methods for procuring a project, and the decision to use the most effective one is of the utmost importance. The primary reason this decision retains such a serious influence on the project is that once the contractor(s) are procured, the owner’s leverage for any further negotiations, either for the contract amount, the contract general conditions, or any additional work moving forward, is severely diminished. Therefore, it is critical to the Owner’s risk that the Prime contract(s) be procured in the most effective way. The best and most effective contract with a contractor may vary depending upon where the greatest risks lie on the project, sometimes budget, schedule, constructability, or any combination of all three. Specific contracts address some concerns better than others.

Approach

Our Bottom-Up Approach

Added Value

Bottom-Up Planning

No left turns is our mantra. It is our job to mitigate every variable that can push a project off course. Waiting until it is too late to react to design, budget, scheduling, and constructability issues is the problem on most jobs. Our proactive approach to planning, budgeting and procurement from the “bottom up” is the difference maker.

Risk Management Over Value Engineering

Value engineering can save an Owner money, but not necessarily value. Our Risk Management approach for delivering a project allows for buying value from the start of design (lower costs upfront) and thereby eliminates having to work backwards late in the game to save money.

The Project is Our Client

Our fees on your project are fixed, uniquely positioning H+A to make decisions on behalf of the owner without any conflicts of interest. Our success is measured by the outcome of the Project and Owner satisfaction. Our goal is Construction Made Simple.

Added Value

Our Services

Services

Full Service Owners Representative

As your advocate, advisor, and representative, Harlan+Associates provides you with all the services needed to meet the demands of your project from start to finish. We fill any gap of responsibility that could leave the Owner vulnerable or at risk.

Project Budgeting and Scheduling

Review the Owner’s programming and vision with the Architect and the Owner to ensure everyone speaks the same language.
Generate a responsible line item project budget and CPM schedule that accurately reflects the desired concept.
Evaluate the project for constructability and as necessary infuse proper adjustments to the planning phase and the budget prior to procurement.

Project Delivery

Determine the most efficient and best suited Project Delivery method for procuring the project.
Provide bid documents aligned with procurement method, including a detailed Prose Statement (Summary of Work), to ensure accurate bids.
Utilize and implement creative Project Deliveries for projects that have demanding and challenging constraints.

Project Oversight

Oversee the construction process from start to finish on behalf of the owner.
Properly manage, pay applications, and extra work conditions in the best interest of the owner.
Facilitate quick, cost effective solutions with the Design and Construction teams as they arise during construction.

Ancillary Services

Pre-construction services.
Post-construction services (Project closeout and maintenance contracts)
Tenant coordination services

Legal Services

Our knowledge and experience in the Construction industry for over 40 years, along with our thorough understanding of costs, scheduling, and constructability, give your team the advantage.

We specialize in extracting raw data, breaking it down, and then reassembling the information we provide allows you to discern what, where, when and how things went awry.

H+A has represented Non-Profits, Developers, Contractors, Architects, and other consultants all with favorable results.

Construction Claims Consulting
Assist Attorneys preparation for arbitration
Legal Expert / Expert Witness
Testify in court or arbitration

“Mr. Cohen partnered with our architects, general contractors, subcontractors, landlord representative, and company personnel using a collaborative and communicative approach to ensure a successful outcome.” - Dealer Tire

Team

40+ Years

40+ Years of experience in construction and architecture.

Since its formation in 1998, Harlan + Associates has provided representation, oversite, and consultation on over $1.5B of construction. H+A projects include hi-rise office buildings, mid-rise buildings, hotels, corporate office buildings, retail malls and strip centers, multi-family residential projects, mixed-use developments, schools, public spaces, and industrial use projects. Our clients receive the highest level of professional expertise and advice, resulting in highly successful outcomes. Harlan+Associates has built an exemplary reputation for providing honest, accurate, and reliable information that our clients are able to rely on with confidence.

“Our approach is personal and proactive, ensuring Owner’s best interests are provided for”

headshots-portraits-photography-Clevelan

Harley Cohen
Founder + Principal
—

Throughout his 40+ career, Harley has acquired valuable experience in all aspects of planning and constructing buildings and public facilities of every type. After 20 years of working in the trenches on the construction side, Harley saw a critical need in the industry not just for another random Owner’s Representative company, but a consulting firm that is capable of successfully bridging the broad communication gap that continues to plague project owners, designers, and contractors. Harley is most in his element when working hands-on and collaboratively with all parties involved.

harlan@siteconsult.com

Eric Greenberg, RA
Partner
—

Eric is a registered Architect with 15+ years of design experience in retail, office, residential construction, as well as urban planning. Eric joined Harlan+Associates intent on helping Owners to better achieve their architectural desires. Through the use of the H+A “Bottom-Up” and Risk Management approach to design and construction, Eric is realizing his passion to improve and retain architectural integrity, while delivering project on time and in budget. A Master’s graduate of Kent State University’s Architecture and Urban Design program, Eric brings thoughtfulness, pride, and commitment to his job everyday.

egreenberg@siteconsult.com

Dana Cohen
Director of Business + Development
—

Dana received her Masters of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has experience in a wide range of steps in the development process from bidding and procurement to zoning and urban design. Dana is the glue that keeps the firm together, managing the back of house activities while keeping the team on track and focused on delivering our best work.

dcohen@siteconsult.com