5 Reasons You Need Quality Assurance on Your Next Facility Project

When it comes to construction projects like roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, or a pavement mill and overlay, ensuring quality is paramount. Not only does it guarantee the longevity of the project, but it also mitigates risks and drives down costs.

Construction quality assurance (CQA) reduces the risk by ensuring that the construction work is done correctly the first time. This maximizes the lifespan of the asset, mitigates the chances of unnecessary future repair work, and avoids construction disruptions and re-work.

Here are six ways that having construction quality assurance (CQA) performed by a professional like those at Mantis Innovation can benefit your project:

1. Cost Savings: Quality assurance can lead to significant cost savings. By catching mistakes early in the construction process, you can avoid the inflated costs associated with fixing these errors later.

Example: A mid-rise Condo Building in Boulder, Colorado experienced a wind blow-off event two years after roof installation. Mantis identified the contractor had improperly installed the perimeter membrane and metal coping termination. QA was not performed during the initial installation. As a result, the entire roof system needed to be replaced, and cost the building owner $4.3 million dollars for the replacement project, only some of which was covered by the insurance claim.

2. Improved Project Efficiency: Quality assurance can improve efficiency by ensuring that all construction work is done correctly and to the highest standards. This can reduce the time spent on rework and speed up the overall construction process.

Example: On a particular commercial re-roofing project in Seattle, Washington, Mantis and the roofing contractor identified early in the project that portions of the roof deck would need to be replaced. By engaging early with the QA observer to identify defects in existing conditions, the project schedule was not impacted, and the project was delivered on time.

3. Enhanced Safety: Ensuring quality in construction also means ensuring safety. Quality assurance professionals can identify potential safety hazards and take steps to mitigate them, protecting both workers and the end-users of the project.

Example: A Mantis banking client with approximately 2,500 retail locations across the U.S. has experienced nearly a 100% drop in annual litigation claims since 2021 for trip and fall incidents on its parking lots as our survey technicians and QA observers are regularly identifying these risks while performing pavement assessments and observing other scheduled construction at these sites.

4. Increased Property Value: High-quality construction can increase the value of the property. Whether it’s a new roof, an upgraded HVAC system, or a freshly paved road, quality workmanship can make a significant difference in the property’s value.

Example: Some of the tenants of one of Mantis’ retail Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) clients require a new roof upon move-in or lease renewal. It guarantees their anchor tenants remain, attracts new anchor tenants, and avoids vacancy. In their world, having the most desirable tenants that are attracting more customers to the shopping center equates to monetary value. Performing CQA can substantiate warranty claims against possible leaks. Plus, documentation of CQA and installation compliance protects both the tenant and the building owner against undue claims.

Put another way, pretend you’re in a fender bender with your car then go to sell it. This will appear on the CarFax report for your VIN. Your vehicle’s value is lower because there is documentation that there was a defect. The same can be related to CQA and reporting for roofing assets. The property value can be maintained with documentation of zero defects at the completion of the roof installation.

For sensitive building tenants such as hospitals, cold storage, or data centers, CQA ensures no defects on the completed roof system and protects their equipment, preventing possible monetary claims for loss of equipment and business disruptions from defects causing leaks.

5. Preserving Manufacturer’s Warranty: Quality assurance ensures that all materials used in the construction process are installed correctly and according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This is crucial because improper installation can void the manufacturer’s warranty. By adhering to the correct installation procedures, you can maintain the warranty on the materials used, providing an extra layer of financial protection for your project.

 Example: During a recent virtual meeting between a Mantis client’s regional VP of facilities, their local Facility Manager, the contractor, and our own Registered Roof Observer (RRO), the Contractor objected to our 2 piece flashing detail which does not allow for a Reinforced Termination Strip (RTS) strip to be utilized, stating that the company complied with warranty documents. However, when the contractor produced site photos showing the strips installed on 18” centers rather than the required 12” ones, it became clear the work would not have been compliant after all, thus voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.

 Professional Construction Quality Assurance

By investing in construction observation with a professional team like Mantis Innovation, you can ensure that your construction project is completed to the highest standards, reducing risks and driving down costs.

Contact a Mantis pro today and learn more about how we can ensure your next facility construction project is done right.