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What We Do For Our Clients

Due-Diligence and Pre-Development

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I. Due Diligence

  1. Based on the expertise of COR Consulting, LLC and trusted Consultants an unbiased and thorough assessment of the condition of any property needs to be undertaken. Through investigation and reporting of land use restrictions, existing parameters, environmental conditions, and geotechnical conditions information is gathered about entitlements, encumbrances, and anticipated costs for development which, assists in formulating realistic expectations regarding the use of the property.
  2. Due Diligence efforts are required to find out about the background of the property providing two key benefits for the risk-assessment of the project.
  3. First – assessment that the Client is not exposing themselves to excessive risk and is limiting unknown cost.
  4. Second – providing detailed knowledge of the project conditions and costs allows an evaluation and economic assessment to set the parameters needed in negotiating land costs and end-user rental rates.
  5. this role, COR provides the Client with both the intelligence and analysis to enable them to identify, manage, and mitigate risks thus determining project feasibility.

II. Elements of Pre-Development Investigation and Due-Diligence Reporting 

  • ALTA and Topographic Surveys
  • Zoning and Building Code Analysis 
  • Review of Land-Use Documents 
  • Reciprocal Easement Agreements (REA’s)
  • Declarations
  • Easements, Conditions, Covenant, and Restrictions (ECCR’s)
  • Traffic Impact Study(s)
  • Wetland Delineation & Mitigation Studies
  • Storm-water Management and Detention Parameters
  • Environmental & Geo-Technical Reports 
  • Environmental Site Assessment Reports (Phase I & II)
  • Asbestos Survey
  • Geotechnical Soils Reports
  • Facility Assessments
  • Feasibility Studies ï»¿

III. Site and Space Planning

  1. Provide planning for a long-term sustainable roadmap for using, acquiring, developing, and managing the space requirements of the project interior and exterior.
  2. The site and space planning process has five basic phases:
  3. Input – engage the Client, Tenant, Municipality, and Civic partners to identify their requirements, needs, parameters, parking, and spatial priorities within the project.
  4. Analysis – review and work with Client and consultants to complete analysis of input, best practices, and project data.
  5. Plan Development – with Client, consultants and team partners synthesize the analysis findings into specific recommendations for the project – including its creation, preservation, improvement, implementation, and management.
  6. Flexibility – revisions to project planning to the ever changing and complex market conditions to implement and put forth the best plan possible with the information and input gathered at that time.
  7. Implementation - use the plan documents as a guide to implement the approvals and project goals.
  8. Site Investigation:
  9. Zoning and Local Code Analysis
  10. Site Planning Studies

IV. Project Budgeting, Cost Analysis, and Performa(s)

  1. Strong, reliable project cost information is fundamental to the implementation of any project. COR Consulting, LLC can prepare strong and reliable project budgets that have a basis in the latest cost data. Furthermore, cost variances are tracked as the project progresses towards completion.
  2. A reasonable budget involves bringing the entire team together. Each of the major components are reviewed for possible value engineering in terms of constructability, construction cost savings, and schedule considerations.
  3. Established budget amounts for each category are reviewed and updated as needed to assist the Client in monitoring and maintaining the budget
  4. Involvement in the design process allows evaluation of design options which affect the budget for presentation to Client.
  5. COR Consulting, LLC can assist Client in preparation of Performa(s) to determine economic feasibility of the project.
  • Land Basis Cost
  • On-site and Off-site Infrastructure Construction Costs
  • Building Construction Costs
  • Shell Construction
  • Build-to-Suit Construction
  • Extra Ordinary Costs
  • Environmental Clean-up
  • Poor Soil Contingency
  • Utility Relocation
  • Architectural, Engineering, and Consultant Fees
  • Governmental Fees
  • Legal Fees
  • Impact Fees (Traffic & SAC/WAC)
  • Tenant Allowances
  • Tenant Improvement Costs

V. Scheduling

  1. COR Consulting, LLC will develop Critical Path Schedule and time lines that identifies key target dates and tracks progress through the completion of the project. The detailed master schedule shall consist of all activities including design process and review, entitlements, permitting approvals, bidding activities, start of construction, substantial completion, and occupancy.
  2. With land carry costs, interest on financing, lengthy municipal approval periods, and the other complexities a Critical Path Schedule is crucial in understanding, tracking, and managing the progress of a project.
  3. The master schedule will be updated as needed to reflect changes in direction, scope, or schedule.
  4. Maintaining accountability to the master schedule with Client, Municipality, each Consultant, Designer, and Contractor is at the root of COR’s philosophy. “When a project is completed on time and on budget the Clients and Tenants goals can be realized in receiving rent and ringing in sales.”

VI. Consultant Selection / Selection of Project Team Members

  1. Having the right mix of professionals has a significant impact on the successful completion of any project. COR Consulting, LLC utilizes its established relationships and strong partnerships with a multitude of architects, engineers, attorneys, professional consultants, and contractors to solicit and procure the most qualified team members.
  2. COR will solicit and procure Proposals from pre-qualified consultants for each disciple of the project to compose the project team.
  3. COR will review qualifications and proposal statements from consultants and summarize information for review with Client’s leadership team.
  4. COR will assist in negotiation of fees and contracts with project team consultants consistent with industry standards.

Project Entitlements and Zoning Approvals

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  1. The legal method of obtaining Entitlement and Zoning approvals for the right to develop property is complicated, time consuming, and can be costly. COR Consulting, LLC believes in developing early relationships with the Municipality and Community. Obtaining their input, making them feel part of the process, and understanding their expectations are valuable steps in knowing what you can and can't do with a piece of property and vital in determining the feasibility of a project.

  2. Project submittals for approvals are critical to launching a project into the implementation phase properly. COR Consulting, LLC will utilize its years of building strong relationships with policy makers to interface with regulatory staff to assure expedient processing and reduce costly requirements. 

  3. COR backed by an experienced development team of architects, lawyers, civil engineers, transportation consultants, landscape architects, site lighting designers, signage designers, and other project consultants, will analyze, review, interpret and advise the Client regarding design studies, applicable zoning and code requirements, and maximum development potential of the property. 

  4. Elements of Project Entitlements and Zoning Approvals, Applications and Public Notices:
  5. Management of Municipal Submittals and Deadlines
  6. Municipal Correspondence to convey design intent and response to review comments and requests.
  7. Attendance at evening Entitlement Meetings
  8. Pre-submittal Community Workshops
  9. Committee of the Whole
  10. Appearance Commissions and Architectural Review Boards
  11. Plan Commission
  12. Village Board and/or City Council
  13. Zoning Approvals
  14. Plat of Subdivision and Plat of Easement
  15. Zoning, Rezoning, and Zoning Variances for building bulk requirements including, but not limited to height, FAR, parking space ratios, and setbacks
  16. Land Use Permits and/or Ordinance including Special-Use approval
  17. Transportation and Access
  18. Site Plan, Elevation, Landscape, Site Lighting, and Engineering

Project and Consultant Management

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  1. COR Consulting, LLC assists and organizes the project team consultants to complement their performance, primarily through peer review of the design and construction document process offering solutions to questions, which facilitates the development of the project plans.
  2. Oversight of the Project Design Process 
  3. COR serves as the managing liaison between the Client and the team of project consultants with regard to performance on the project.
  4. COR will direct and review project reports, documents, and drawings throughout the design process and will advise the project team assuring conformance with project scope.
  5. COR monitors the work being performed; endeavoring to guard the Client against performance of any work that is inconsistent with project goals and will assist in negotiation of modifications to the design as it relates to program, schedule, and budget.
  6. Project Team Consultant Contract Administration
  7. COR will, on the Clients behalf, review, approve, and execute the contract files for the program.
  8. COR will review, for appropriateness, each pay application from each consultant, including the evaluating and advising the Client regarding change order requests.
  9. Design and Construction Document Coordination
  10. At COR Consulting, LLC we believe in face to face interaction and therefore will conduct periodic meetings with the Client and/or project team for overall coordination of the project design activities. The design team meetings for the project will be to discuss and make decisions regarding design options, choice of construction materials, schedules, budgets, constructability, and bidding issues.
  11. COR will maintain the project team accountability to the design intent as described in the project scope through periodic peer reviews and reporting to the Client regarding progress of the design effort.
  12. COR maintains the same comprehensive review of the construction documents for technical accuracy without assuming any of the consultant’s responsibilities or liability.
  13. Value-Added Construction Document Review
  14. Significant savings can be realized in many projects with design development and pre-bid review and analysis of completed plans (Value-Added Review). COR Consulting, LLC is involved from the inception of a project and this familiarity with the project helps to identify inefficient design and suggest more efficient techniques prior to the start of construction. Cost savings for the Client can be realized from the beginning of the project.
  15. Legal and Real Estate Document Review
  16. Buying and selling real estate is one of the most important and rewarding situations but also one of the most complicated decisions that one can enter into, usually with significant financial implications. In any real estate deal the Client must review multiple complex documents.
  17. COR Consulting, LLC
  18.  will work side by side with the Client and Legal team to assist in the creation and review of:
    Commercial Acquisition and Sale Documents
  19. Letters of Intent
  20. Title Commitment Review
  21. Land Use and Zoning
  22. Easements, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (ECCR)
  23. Reciprocal Easement Agreements (REA)
  24. Declaration of Easements, Covenants, Restrictions, Rights, and Obligations (Declaration)
  25. Municipal Ordinances
  26. Development Agreements
  27. Commercial and Ground Leases
  28. Real Estate Tax Assessment and Credits
  29. Tenant Coordination
  30. Significant value in time, energy, and resources can be added in regards to comprehensive tenant coordination with the addition of COR Consulting, LLC as liaison to Client, Legal Team, and Tenant.
  31. Understating the underlying existing conditions of the site/building COR will assist in the creation and review of Letters of Intent (LOI) and Tenant / Landlord Work Letters for cost implications and LOI terms.
  32. Lease Preparation
  33. Review and provide Client and Agents with scheduling, construction, utility, and warm dark shell / vanilla box criteria provisions for implementation into the Lease.
  34. Review and maintain with the Leasing Agents requirements for space usage (Lease Plans) and time commitments to determine if any unusual conditions or potential issues may exist.
  35. Review and prepare Lease construction and general exhibits to determine landlord's responsibilities and cost implications, including following the design and construction through to ensure that all of those responsibilities are accomplished.
  36. Lease Administration
  37. COR will manage the completion of all Client / Landlord’s work as required in the Lease. Accordingly, COR has an attitude of “whatever it takes” towards teamwork to get stores open and the Tenant paying rent.
  38. Perform technical plan peer reviews of architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, utility requirements, and sign drawings, providing marked-up comments to resolve design/construction issues for Client and Tenant review.
  39. Review submittals by tenants including signage for compliance with the Lease and tenant design criteria.
  40. Establish an understanding of the project schedule and work with the tenants to insure they are ready to commence construction at the time of building turnover.
  41. Coordinate all Tenant and base building construction minimizing conflict with existing tenants and conditions. Maintain communication with the Client and Tenant to ensure a successful conclusion to each project.
  42. Inspection of building shells when they are nearing completion to insure that all of the Landlord's requirements for delivery are or will be completed by the intended delivery date.
  43. Manage and Issue required Notices as outlined in the Lease including Delivery, Force Majeure, and Rent Commencement.
  44. Review all lease agreements for tenant charge backs and ensure that they are invoiced and collected.
  45. COR’s proactive approach pertaining to tenant design and construction criteria as established by the Lease is used to encourage Tenant drawing submission and construction in an effort to expedite store opening
  46. Project Control Documentation
  • Site Assessment Report (SAR)
  • Budget & Control Estimate
  • Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Project Schedules
  • Project Record / Meeting Minutes / Action Items
  • Project Status Report (PSR)
  • Project Governance Checklist
  • Bid Analysis & Comparison (Building GCs & Site)
  • Method of Procedure (MOPs)
  • Change Order Review and Log
  • Anticipated Cost Report (ACR) / Invoice Tracking
  • Master Punch-List Creation and Tracking
  • Drawing Control Log
  • Adverse Weather Log
  • AIA Contract Negotiation and Payment Application Documents
  • Project Close-Out Memo and Summary of Project Costs
    (sample forms available upon request)

Regulatory Agency Oversight (Permitting)

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  1. Proper oversight with regulatory agencies and government officials is very important. With experience in a variety of markets, jurisdictions and local communities COR Consulting, LLC along with the project team consultants shall coordinate and assist the Client in its responsibility for filing documents for construction permits and other approvals by Municipal, County, State, and Federal governing bodies having jurisdiction over the project.
  2. COR promotes open communication and encourages pre-submittal meetings with the department officials, utility companies, or other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the project to successfully navigate the maze of zoning, permitting and approval processes.
  3. Elements of Permitting and Regulatory Agency Approvals
  4. Submitting and Responses to Municipal Permit comments
  5. Transportation Permit (IDOT, CDOT, etc...)
  6. Water Reclamation District (MWRD, Fox-Metro, Lake County, etc...)
  7. Sanitary
  8. Storm-water
  9. Water-main
  10. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
  11. Sanitary
  12. Water-main
  13. Storm-water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and NPDES Permit
  14. Illinois Historic Preservations Agency (IHPA)
  15. US Fish and Wildlife (Endangered Species)
  16. IDNR – Endangered Species (Eco-Cat)
  17. Building Permits
  18. Demolition
  19. Site/Earthwork, Foundation, etc…)
  20. Permit Applications and Fees
  21. Application Fees
  22. Review and Permit Fees
  23. Payment and Performance Bonds
  24. Connection / Tap Fees (SAC/WAC)

Bidding, Contract Negotiation, and Value Engineering

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  1. Starting with a complete set of construction documents, soliciting construction pricing is as much about WHAT you ask as it is about HOW you ask. Proper Competitive Bidding or Negotiated Bidding is the best way to start saving on construction expenditures.
  2. COR Consulting, LLC pays particular attention to how it compiles its list of qualified bidders. Likewise bid document preparation and bidding are carried out with the same high level of care.
  3. Bid results are compiled in an easy to understand format and reviewed with Client for selection and award.
  4. COR will participate in receipt of bids, tabulation of bids, and assist the Client in the evaluation of bids to insure they meet project scope.
  5. COR along with the Client’s legal representation shall assist in the preparation and execution of AIA or other Contract Documents for construction with the selected General Contractor.
  6. COR will review contract documents and bid proposals along with design team and contractor to evaluate Value Engineering cost savings recommendations and present, if any, to the Client for consideration.

Construction Administration / Management

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  1. With ever-increasing complexities facing Clients today, COR Consulting, LLC construction administration / management offers guidance from the early stages of a project through resolution of all construction activities. This collaborative and highly communicative approach ensures the Client’s vision is executed throughout every facet of the construction process from small scale to large scale projects.
  2. Projects under construction need supervision. COR Consulting, LLC provides this supervision by monitoring, documenting, and reporting the Contractors’ progress to the Project Team and Client.
  3. Construction Start Up Coordination
  4. COR will recommend, coordinate, and monitor Pre-Construction Meeting with Municipality, Project Team, and General Contractor to establish and set forth regulatory guidelines and procedures which will develop the project control systems necessary for tracking and reporting project status.
  5. Assist with placement of construction trailers, fences, staging areas, and construction traffic zones per site and municipal constraints.
  6. Construction Administration / Management
  7. Coordinate independent material testing services for concrete, soils, masonry, steel, etc, which are required under the project specifications.
  8. COR as a representative of the Client shall visit the site at regular intervals appropriate to the stage of the construction operations to report and advise the Client on issues of construction costs, schedule, coordination items, construction directives, and occupancy.
  9. COR shall coordinate and communicate with the local utilities companies, including Electric, Gas, Telephone, and CATV so as to facilitate the installation and service of the same.
  10. COR along with the Architect and Consultants shall report to the Client known deviations or work not in conformance with the Contract Documents. Corrective action shall be discussed and efforts made to rectify the deviation
  11. Provide periodic status reports, summarizing progress, schedule and cost status, major decisions, changes, and other key project information.
  12. Administer Construction Contracts including the review of Change Order Requests and Pay Applications with conflicts resolved prior to presentation to the Client for approval.
  13. COR shall along with Client maintain communications and cooperation with the various governing agencies, including coordination Certificate of Occupancy.

Project and Financial Close-Out

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  1. Every project needs to come to an end. Project Close-out is all about making sure the project has been delivered in accordance with the contract documents and making sure that all Client, Municipal, and Tenant expectations are satisfied and all acceptance criteria has been met.
  2. Project Close-out is often the most neglected phase of all the project lifecycle phases. Once the project is over, it’s easy to pack things up, throw some files in a drawer, and start moving right into the initiation phase of the next project. Hold on! You’re not done yet! COR Consulting, LLC is dedicated to close-out the project efficiently and correctly in three basic phases:
  3. Project Close-Out Administration
  4. The key activities in project closeout are conducting final inspections, gathering project records, and disseminating information to formalize acceptance of the project. COR will assist in final processes and the procurement of the final project documents including:
  5. Advise the Client with respect to substantial completion, final payment, and warranty periods.
  6. COR will prepare and Invoice for Tenant Recapture Costs and work with municipal and/or financial agencies for the return/reduction of Letters of Credit or Bond that where put in place at the onset of the construction process.
  7. Assist and accompany the Client, Architect, and Tenant in developing punch-lists and warranty inspections for Project completion.
  8. Schedule One-Year Warranty Inspections
  9. Coordinate the receipt of Maintenance, Warranty, Operation Manuals to be provided by the Contractor and Manufacturers.
  10. Special Inspection Reports
  11. Maintenance Agreements
  12. Required Sample Warranties
  13. Contractor and Sub-Contractor 1-year material and labor from Date of Substantial Completion and acceptance of Client.
  14. Paving - Parking Lot – 2-year
  15. Roof Manufacturer – 15 year
  16. EIFS – 5-year
  17. HVAC – 5-year Compressor
  18. Landscaping – minimum 1-year
  19. Coordinate the receipt of Record (as-built) Documents to be provided by the Contractor and Consultants.
  20. Civil Engineering (site utilities, grading, etc...)
  21. Site Lighting Photometric Readings
  22. Mechanical (HVAC), Electrical, and Plumbing
  23. Sprinkler and Fire Alarm
  24. Coordinate with Contractor the training of Client's employees on the operation of new equipment.
  25. Coordinate transfer of stock supplies of materials to the Client as indicated in construction agreements.
  26. Submit documentation at the end of the project to reconcile final budget with a record of construction expenditures.
  27. Contract Closure
  28. Completing and settling the contracts is an important process to determine if the work described in the contract was completed accurately.
  29. COR Consulting, LLC will assist in the reconciliation of outstanding change orders, credits to the contract, and final payment applications.
  30. Lessons Learned
  31. Project Close-out Meeting / Exit Interview – COR can assist in coordinating a meeting between key project members to determine their effectiveness and to document lessons learned during the process. The meeting is an open communication as to the successes and failures of the project and how to improve to minimize risk on future ventures. 
  32. Celebrate
  33. The project team should celebrate their accomplishment to officially recognize their efforts and thank them for their participation. A celebration helps team members formally recognize the project end and brings closure to the work they’ve done. It also encourages them to remember what they’ve learned and to start thinking about how their experiences will benefit them during the next project.
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