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Service:
Construction Services

Construction projects require flexibility and fast-response. It takes an ambitious team with a proactive, results-oriented and focused plan to finish the job successfully. 

We craft an aggressive, results-oriented program to handle the unique challenges of each project.  Our nationwide staff knows the industry and can identify and manage issues before they become crises that can adversely impact the project. We create successful projects by communicating with stakeholders and helping contractors work efficiently.

 

Urban supports some of the biggest construction projects in the nation in diverse markets, including highway, bridge, transit, airport, facility, and ports and waterways. We provide the following construction support services:

 

  • Claims management
  • Inspection
  • Cost estimating
  • Scheduling
  • Geotechnical, materials and soil testing
  • Certified special inspection

On-Site #UR60N

Special Inspections, PHL

Our Special Inspection practice is backed by our multidisciplinary design and construction expertise. Urban has performed expert controlled and special inspections per Chapter 17 of the International Building Code for more than 20 years. We emphasized this public safety service long before Philadelphia required building owners to hire accredited special inspection agencies for their projects. Our controlled and special inspection services have reduced damages and loss for clients.

 

Our IAS accreditation was an important factor in our selection as the special inspection firm for the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center, which will be the tallest building in the city when complete.

 

As further testament to our commitment to building owners, Urban holds and maintains ISO 9001:2008 Quality Certification, the definitive quality standard for consulting firms . We are proud to be one of a select number of consulting engineering firms in the United States to have earned this distinction. These qualifications, our local presence, and longstanding teaming arrangements enable us to provide high-quality services and competitive rates in Philadelphia.​

Special Inspections, NYC

Urban has been accredited by the International Accreditation Service™ (IAS) since 2012 and is registered with the New York City Department of Buildings as a Class 1 Special Inspection Agency in 40 inspection categories. Our work on the $60 million Novotel Times Square Hotel renovation spanned seven NYC Building Code Categories. Our team is ready to assist building owners who are seeking to comply with the latest revisions to the NYC building code. We have an ICC Certified Master Special Inspector, Kevin Buchanan, on staff, as well as other professionals to assist owners with NYC building code compliance. For more information, watch our video. 

 

As further testament to our commitment to building owners, Urban holds and maintains ISO 9001:2008 Quality Certification, the definitive quality standard for consulting firms. This certification verifies that Urban's Quality Management System complies with the stringent requirements of the International Organization for Standardization for the planning, design, and construction management of projects. We are proud to be one of a select number of consulting engineering firms in the United States to have earned this distinction.

 

Get in Touch
Vice President, Deputy General Manager for Facilities Construction Services
jkrause@urbanengineers.com 212.736.9100

Constructability Reviews

Constructability reviews can help save time and money by identifying potential construction issues during the design phase. Our Integrated Constructability Evaluations program results in high-quality and cost-effective design documents.

 

Our constructability reviews are performed by a team of construction professionals skilled at evaluating construction documents to ensure that they work within design constraints, address regulatory and stakeholder concerns, and can be built efficiently. 

Get in Touch
Vice President, Deputy Manager for Construction Support Services
tfkerins@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081

Cost Estimating

Urban prepares cost estimates during any stage of a project using an approach similar to contactors.  We identify permanent material and equipment requirements, as well as construction equipment rates, crew sizes, crew productivity estimates, and materials prices. Rather than use approximations based on percentage markups, we calculate contractor overhead and cost in detail. Urban considers the cost impacts of work conducted in active environments, such as highways, transit lines, and airports. 

Get in Touch
Vice President, Deputy Manager for Construction Support Services
tfkerins@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081

Claims

We have a full-time claims department and more than 30 years’ experience providing claims support services. This includes counsel support with litigation strategies, interrogators, depositions, and exhibit preparation. Urban can guide you through the process of avoiding, developing, and resolving claims. Tort liability analysis relating to witness and liability cases is also available. We provide the following claims services:

  • Claims mitigation and preparation
  • Bid document and contract review
  • Negotiation support
  • Expert witnesses
  • Alternative dispute resolution
  • Construction and repair cost estimates
  • Damage assessments and inspections
  • Negotiations
  • Settlement support

Scheduling

We develop accurate and easily understood schedules to help you control construction time and cost. We use best-in-class scheduling software and have saved clients millions by keeping projects on schedule.

 

Our scheduling specialists use Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling as a tool to plan, monitor, and react to project elements, protect the assets of key project players, and prevent delays.  We provide the following scheduling services:

  • Preliminary project schedule
  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Duration estimating
  • Allocation of resources
  • Budget control
  • Progress updating
  • Risk analysis

Construction Management

Urban’s construction managers facilitate communication and collaboration among designers, owners, contractors and others involved in each project. Our commitment to construction management excellence and continuing education attracts industry leaders to our team.

  • We are annually recognized among the country's top firms and continually strive to develop better ways to manage projects
  • Urban co-authored the Quality Management Guidelines for the Construction Management Association of America
  • We create a team atmosphere to meet client goals and project challenges
Get in Touch
Senior Vice President, Chief Construction Officer
gconeill@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081

Construction Inspection

Our inspection staff consists of experienced, knowledgeable, and capable professional engineers, managers, supervisors, and inspectors. We use an established system of checks and balances to ensure the quality and timeliness of work. We monitor and approve payments to contractors and prepare or review federal, state, and locally required reports.

 

Our team has a full gamut of certifications and registrations required for various state DOTs and public and private agencies. We support continuing education and training to stay ahead of the industry. As new tech emerges, Urban stays on the cutting edge. 

Get in Touch
Senior Vice President, Chief Construction Officer
gconeill@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081
Get in Touch
Vice President, Project Executive
sehrlich@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081

Materials & Soil Testing

Our in-house materials testing laboratory and industry knowledge meet a variety of laboratory, geotechnical, and field inspection needs. Our laboratory is AASHTO accredited and regularly inspected by the AASHTO Materials Reference Library and the Cement Concrete Reference Library. It is also validated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

 

Our laboratory services include:

  • Soils
  • Concrete
  • Aggregates
  • Asphalt
  • Building & construction materials
  • Unit masonry
  • Brick
  • Bituminous
  • Landfill waste
  • Fireproofing

 

Our field inspection & testing services include:

  • Field densities & compaction control
  • Concrete
  • Bituminous
  • Earthwork
  • Aggregates
  • Pile driving & load tests
  • Footing subgrade & caisson inspection
  • Plate bearing tests
  • Steel erection
  • Masonry
  • Construction
  • Plant inspection
  • Drainage installation
  • Waterproofing systems
  • Fireproofing
  • Caissons
  • Foundations
Get in Touch
Vice President, Deputy General Manager for Facilities Construction Services
jkrause@urbanengineers.com 212.736.9100
Get in Touch
Senior Vice President, Chief Construction Officer
gconeill@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081