Preparing Bid Documents
Getting the Building Permit
To obtain a building permit, the ELCC building committee will usually have to submit at least five copies of the detailed working drawings of the ELCC facility together with a completed permit application form, a cheque for the fee and, usually, confirmation that a child care licence has been applied for. These documents are then reviewed. Any changes during construction must be communicated to the Building Department.
Construction Documents
Once you have received the necessary building permit, it's now time to prepare the bid documents. The architect ensures that bid documents are complete and clear for contractors to estimate time and costs of the proposed work. S/he provides advice on the reputation of contractors and other professionals to ensure you have the right fit of trades people for your project and budget. Once the various contractors have been selected, contracts will be developed by the project manager to ensure you get a quality product in a timely manner at the price you have agreed upon. Revisit and revise the budget if necessary at this stage, but make sure the larger planning committee is kept informed.
Your architect will also apply for a building permit and any other required approvals. Prior to tendering for a contractor, you must ensure that:
- You will receive municipal approval for the project
- You will have your finances in place
- Confirm that the proposed design meets the program requirements
- You have approval of all required governments.
Bonding
You will also take out a bond at this stage. A bond is a form of insurance that is used to protect the operator as a result of unforeseen circumstances during construction. There are three types of bonds:
- Bid Bond
- to guarantee the good faith of the bidder for the project.
- Performance Bon
- to provide indemnity to you up to the amount of the bond in case the general contractor defaults on the construction contract.
- Labour and Materials Bond
- to guarantee that all claimants will be paid for the labour and material furnished to the general contractor for use on the project in the event the general contractor defaults.