Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Design review process and criteria

[Wayne Tyson (landrest]

Rick,

You probably know this already, but well-written* RFP's are the key, which, 
in addition to providing an equal basis for all proposals, become a nearly 
complete guide to proposal review. Experience "can't be beat," so 
professional help in writing RFP's can be a very good investment. This is 
based on experience outside of cohousing, but the principles of contracting 
at all levels should basically apply to cohousing. Professional project 
management (having your own inspector), the same person with whom you 
started, one hopes, is almost always a money-saver. Of course, if you have 
that kind of talent in-house, so much the better (or at least it's tempting, 
but even doctors have doctors and lawyers have lawyers).

That's about all I can offer based on the general nature of your request. If 
you have specific questions or issues, I, and no doubt others, will be able 
to be more specific.

WT

*For example, many RFP's are written by people with little experience; 
misteaks can be made by being too general, leaving too much up to the 
contractors to interpret, and making the requirements too strict, causing 
the bidders to cover the uncertainty by boosting the bid. One might identify 
a good contractor by the one who picks up the phone and asks you for more 
detail or even tells you he or she can't make a tight bid on the basis of 
the general RFP. The ones who don't may flood you with expensive change 
orders--some even plan to make their profit this way. As Ben Franklin used 
to say, "It's ok to TRUST people, but it's best not to TEMPT them!" Or 
something to that effect . . .

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richart Keller" <richart.keller [at] gmail.com>
To: "cohousing-L" <cohousing-L [at] cohousing.org>
Cc: "Janet Keller" <janetkeller5 [at] gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 5:13 PM
Subject: [C-L]_ Design review process and criteria


> Hi all
>
> We (Pioneer Valley Cohousing) are considering revising our process and
> criteria for review of proposals for building additions, modifications, 
> new
> construction etc.
>
> We would really appreciate it if you could share yours, or offer 
> suggestions
> based on your community's experience.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
>
> Rick
>
>
>
> Richart Keller, AICP
> Pioneer Valley Cohousing
> 120 Pulpit Hill Road #25
> Amherst, MA 01002
> 413-835-0011
> 401 486-2677 (cell)
>
>
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