b"WCA EDUCATIONCLOSEOUT OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECTA successful closeout is key to the financial success of a construction projectBy Lee Kelly, Constructing Minds Inc.Why would a contractor, owner, consultant or3. Communicate the closeout plan by subcontractor need to know best practices for closing out a construction project? The answer is simpleifengaging all the major stakeholdersyou cant get the project done, then you cant reachCommunicating the rules of the game to the owner, substantial performance. And if you cant reach substantialconsultants, general contractors and subcontractors performance, payments cannot be made.at the owner pre-commencement meeting and the A successful closeout is key to the financial success ofsubcontractor start-up meetings ensures that everyone a construction project because it allows final payments.understands what they are responsible for and when it Failing to consider the closeout process until you are inis required. This will minimize or eliminate late review of the final phases, not having a plan for turning the projectsubmittals or delayed payments on the owners side. It over to the owner and failing to follow through couldwill also provide the framework for everything from work turn a great project into a nightmare. Last minute delaysperformed by subcontractors to ensuring that all testing and are common during the closeout process, simply becausecommissioning is completed so that the facility will meet all vital pieces of information are missing, papers need toof the contractual requirements and is truly ready for the be tracked down or unfinished change orders suddenlyclient to occupy.turn into actual claims. Any one of these issues can derail your progress and cause your project to run past the anticipated completion date. Obtain closeout documentation from Follow these five best practice tips to keep a project on4. subcontractors/sub-subcontractors track to achieve a successful project closeout: before they leave the project1. Start at the beginning of the projectOnce the subcontractor has completed their work and is no longer working on the project, it is very difficult to obtain closeout submittals from them. Therefore, it is essential that The process starts at the beginning of the project with theall closeout documentsO&M documents, warrantees, general contractor implementing a comprehensive, step- attic stock, as-built drawings and training (if required) are by-step approach to project closeout. This will ensure thatcollected before the subcontractor moves on to theirall project deliverables are met and that the owner endsnext project.up happy with the experience and results. The processes and procedures should take the form of checklists andSubmit the closeout documents spreadsheets that are managed throughout the entire5. and materials prior to substantial duration of the project. performance2. Establish best practices for processesSubmit a draft of the closeout documents well in advance of the contractual requirement to submit them. Sequential and procedures for every step submissions and reviews of the closeout documents can be The closeout process is not just about handing over theagreed to in the owners construction meeting. It is best not O&Ms (Operations and Maintenance Manuals), it is aboutto leave submissions to the last minute.establishing best practices for processes and procedures for every step in the construction process. This includesFor more information on closing out a construction understanding and establishing processes for managingproject, plan to attend WCA's upcoming session.the closeout requirements and submissions, submittals requirements and submissions processes, permits,Construction Project Closeout inspection and testing, inspections by authorities havingWCA Construction Education Centre jurisdiction, cleaning up and demobilizing from the site,Friday, January 24, 2020 financial wrap-up, internal review and lessons learned for all8:30 a.m.4 p.m.phases of the construction project. Register online at winnipegconstruction.ca16 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca"