Work in the construction industry long enough and you’ll find that there are multiple ways of getting to the same end result. Rather than sticking with conventional methods, value engineering prioritizes finding the most affordable way to do a project while preserving the original design objectives. Value engineering examples can take shape in many forms, but the main thing to note is that the overarching purpose is to reduce costs. Whether it’s through using prefabricated walls, comparable design options, or adjusting the scope of the project, there are several ways to execute value engineering. Value engineering enables the major players in a construction project, such as owners, architects, structural engineers, contractors, and construction managers, to make the most cost-effective decisions without compromising quality. Check out these value engineering examples to get a better idea of how it looks when put into practice.
Construction of Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal
In 2019, it was revealed that the development of Port Canaveral’s new cruise terminal in Brevard County, Florida could save millions of dollars through value engineering. The project, executed by Ivey’s Construction Inc. won the construction project with a $78.98 million bid in January 2019. Value engineering was put into play as a means of cutting costs where possible without compromising the quality of the cruise terminal’s parking garage, which was the structure of note. This value engineering example enabled a $4.70 million cost reduction for the parking garage. A revision of the project’s support pile installation plans resulted in savings of more than $3.5 million. An engineering review determined that the size of the piles, as well as the number of piles used and the coating of the piles, could be modified. This would result in a lower cost project without sacrificing the integrity of the structure.
Artistic Overhaul of Commercial Wall Space
In 2023, Alexandria, VA-based general contractor Pizzano Contractors worked with Gensler Architects to deliver one of the most innovative value engineering examples in the commercial space. Washington Business Journal featured the project as a prime example of value engineering by detailing the challenges the construction company’s client faced. Pizzano’s client had a vision for an innovative wall they wanted in their lobby/common area. Unfortunately, the complexity of this wall ran the risk of taking up the entirety of the client’s budget for the whole project. The material and labor costs for the project had grown since the initial planning stages. This, in conjunction with the extensive requirement for the wall, necessitated value engineering. While some general contractors might have opted to simply forgo the wall, Pizzano understood its importance to the client and worked with Gensler to reimagine the concept. By working closely with the client, Pizzano and Gensler were able to reconceive the construction of the wall at a cost that was 70% less than the initial plan.
Common Practice for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED)
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began implementing value engineering into their construction practices back in 1964. More recently in 2021, Kenji Hayashi, who is the Japan Engineer District’s Value Engineering Office (VEO) received an award for his utilization of value engineering in the USACE. Prior to Hayashi overhauling the USACE’s JED, the program was notorious for having low rankings in Military Program USACE Command Guidance metrics. Hayashi brought value engineering to a variety of construction projects, including those in which it was not mandatory protocol. It is common practice for him to reach out to Japanese contractors for feedback on improving the biddability and constructability of future projects. While there may not be a single value engineering example to point to in this instance, the fact that the USACE utilizes this method as part of their standard operations speaks to its effectiveness.
These examples are evidence of the undeniable greatness of value engineering. Here at Gidel & Kocal Construction Co., we are equally committed to maximizing the value for our clients through all our construction projects. That is why we provide detailed cost estimates that have undergone careful consideration during our pre-construction phase, and ensure that projects throughout all industries we cater to are completed efficiently and to the highest standard.
To learn more about bringing value engineering to your next construction project, we encourage you to contact us today!
