Construction Manager at Risk

Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) is a delivery method that helps align a customer’s vision with their construction budget through a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) given by a Construction Manager (CM). These services ensure a project remains within its pre-established budget and enable the client to consider cost-effective, value-engineered options. Construction Manager at Risk services drive success, mitigate risk, and balance project goals to ensure timely, on-budget completion.

As your Construction Manager, we evaluate need versus want to help make your vision a reality. Our in-house estimating team and their commitment to your goals allow us to provide accurate budgets, minimize unnecessary change orders, and bring added value to every project.

Our Process

1) Initial Meeting

Everything starts with a meeting. We’ll sit down at your convenience to go over project goals, initial budget, and desired completion date. Rather than discussing hard details, this meeting is more about helping us see your vision through your eyes. From here, we’ll cover two main objectives for any project: the scope of work and setting a realistic budget.

2) Bid Package Development

Bid Packages are descriptions of the work that will need to be performed to make your vision a reality. This development is one of the most important parts of the Construction Manager at Risk process, as early project success hinges on being on the same page for the big picture.

3) Planning & Design

Every vision of success includes planning. Our team will work to understand your vision and help you create the plan. Our in-house team of drafters can get to work creating your vision once the scope of work has been established. This initial design will serve as the first visual and will be what the rest of the project is drawn from. We will request your feedback along the way to reaching a final design.

4) Budget Development

Our experienced in-house team of estimators will take the final design and help identify exactly where your budget will go. Our estimators lean on previous experience with similar jobs as well as in-depth knowledge of current market costs, creating a realistic budget.

5) Site Feasibility Study

As the budget is being established, our team will investigate your potential build site to determine feasibility. We check to see if the site is a good fit for the requirements of your project by analyzing code and community requirements against existing conditions. Items such as onsite water retention, existing soil conditions, parking, traffic flow, and even specific architectural elements and landscaping requirements are often overlooked and have the biggest potential to wreak havoc on an established budget.

6) Value Engineering

There’s always room for improvement, and that’s exactly what we offer through our added step of value engineering. Our formal review process ensures every project is analyzed for practicality. Our team pulls from their experience to suggest alternative solutions, achieving the same results while providing cost savings to the established budget.

7) Preliminary Scheduling

High on our “pre-construction checklist” is the due date for when the project needs to be done. Some projects require a hard end date, while others may be more flexible. Our team will develop a progress schedule from start to finish by outlining key milestones to ensure a timely project completion in line with your needs.

8) Material Procurement

Often neglected, long lead items may cause senseless delays to project completion. These items will be considered during our preliminary schedule development. Our team will call attention to those items which are necessary to the project, but which may take longer to get.

“The uniqueness of the architecture, the unusual owner demand for attention to every detail, and the endless accommodation of owner changes and additions made this project especially challenging. However, the H.A. Dorsten team exhibited remarkable patience, extraordinary diligence, and a Can-Do attitude that made the whole experience very enjoyable.”

-Les Kholi, Project Manager; PCS Nitrogen Ohio, L.P.

Let's Build Your Vision

General Contracting

There are many moving parts on a construction site. H.A. Dorsten welcomes the challenge to be the main point of contact to keep those parts greased and moving smoothly for your project. Our in-house team of estimators will put together a competitive bid based on the contract documents provided to us. We have a reputation for delivering high-quality projects to exact specifications with a cost-conscious approach.

Our Process

1) Quality Assurance

Quality is not an act, it’s a habit. Our reputation has been built by delivering a high-quality product to our customers. Being the builders that we are, we believe it’s important to perform traditional general contractor work such as soft demolition, excavation, concrete, both rough and finish carpentry, along with Division 8 and Division 10 items. Performing this work with our own experienced crews guarantees higher quality, greater schedule control, and higher cost savings passed along to you, the owner. All subcontractors are managed on the project site by our full-time, onsite project superintendent.

2) Communication & Coordination

Expanding any vision requires coordination. We coordinate with our project team, keeping an open dialog throughout all phases of the project. Our exceptional coordination and organization help create a strong foundation on which to build.

The line between order and chaos lies in logistics. Our dedicated project manager will skillfully facilitate progress meetings on-site to review any safety concerns, schedule updates, project coordination, submittal and RFI logs, quality control, and any other areas of concern. MS Project scheduling software is utilized for developing detailed, organized, and clean schedules. Within MS Project, our project manager will empower Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling to identify the most critical activities that affect the start and completion dates. This schedule is updated bi-weekly, or as new information becomes available. This gives assurance that project milestones will be met, or bettered.

3) Project Closeout

We don’t drag the architect and owner through a long, treacherous closeout at the end of the project. Our dedication to quality carries us through to the end. We’ll provide both electronic and hard copy closeout documents as necessary in a clean, organized, and consistent manner.

“We received the project closeout documentation today.  I just wanted to let you know how impressed we were with you and your team’s thorough and complete work on the closeout documentation for the Arcanum-Butler project! Thank you for taking the time to compile all of this information in an organized and consistent manner. This will allow the project closeout process to be a much smoother process.”

– Matt Hibner, Architect

Let's Build Your Vision

Design-Build

It’s a matter of time. Design in time. Build in time. It’s an efficient and faster way to turn your vision into reality. Our team collaborates with you to understand your vision. We connect with the right architects, engineers, and key construction personnel to accurately set expectations and deliver the space you need.

Design-build works well for any project. With design-build, our team offers valuable input from the early design phases to the completion of the project while staying true to your vision. This project delivery method offers a single point of contact, entrusting H.A. Dorsten to perform all aspects of your project from pre-construction to completion. Our design-build service gives us the option to offer our customers a true turnkey experience.

Our Process

1) Planning & Design

Building your vision requires responsibility. We’ll collaborate with you as we work through our pre-construction process, paying close attention to details as we develop the scope of work. Drawings will be developed as we work the plan to fit an established budget and offer value engineering for practicality. Our first-hand knowledge of construction costs throughout all phases of construction enables us to offer valuable input from the early design phases to completion of the project. We’ll ensure the location you have selected will fit your building needs, and locate often overlooked expenses tied to project location.

2) Permitting & Scheduling

After we complete the pre-construction phase, we will take care of submitting your project to the proper departments for permits and authorizations. We’ll further develop the project schedule while acquiring permits paying close attention to long lead items. We’ll ensure material acquisitions are placed in line with lead times to avoid senseless delays. We have over 13,500 square feet of warehouse space, and we use this to our benefit when it comes to procurement.

3) Subcontracting

We’ll begin soliciting bids as soon as the drawings and project specifications are complete. We invite our pre-approved subcontractors to bid on your project and select those we feel best align with the project needs and goals. Being the builders that we are, we believe it’s important for us to perform traditional construction work such as demolition, excavation, concrete, along with both rough and finish carpentry. Performing this work with our own experienced crews guarantees higher quality, greater schedule control, and higher cost savings.

4) Building Stage

Finally, the exciting part! Our hand-picked team of skilled professionals and quality subcontractors will mobilize to your project site. Dirt will start being moved, and your project will begin to emerge. We’ll staff your project with an experienced superintendent who will remain on site until the last construction activity is completed. Our project manager will hold progress meetings at your convenience and will never be more than a phone call away – H.A. Dorsten will be with you every step of the way. We’ll conduct our own pre-final inspection and create a punch list before inviting you along for a final project walkthrough.

5) Ribbon Cutting

We have a ribbon, and we have a really big pair of scissors. You worked hard to get here, and this moment should be documented in history. At your request, we’ll assist with planning a ribbon-cutting event for your newly completed project. We’ll organize the event with your local Chamber of Commerce and create invitations to disperse to your friends, family, investors, and local dignitaries.

6) Post-Construction

We don’t just pack up our huge pair of scissors and disappear off into the sunset. We value your decision in allowing us to build your vision and consider you an invaluable partner. We offer a three-year workmanship warranty on all of our projects, and we’re never more than a phone call away. Never hesitate to reach out. Our goal throughout this process is to make sure you get a final product that fits your needs while creating a lasting partnership.

“I can assure you that the H.A. Dorsten Team was extremely innovative with their submitted designs, which was in direct response to their client’s needs. The high level of detail that H.A. Dorsten demonstrated when crafting each scope of work impressed our engineering and fabrication personnel most notably.”

-John Price, CHIEF Buildings

Let's Build Your Vision

Renovations & Additions

Maybe your current building just needs some interior updates to match the latest trends, or you’re in an older building that needs to be upgraded to meet new codes and guidelines. Additions and alterations are a great budget-friendly option if you don’t want to build a whole new space and move your company. H.A. Dorsten can make it happen. We’re here to listen to what you want and make the changes you need to build your perfect space.

Our Process

1) Plan Development

Our team will make a site visit to your existing facility, take measurements, and begin creating a preliminary drawing to scale. From here we’ll be able to combine your current needs into your existing space in the most efficient, feasible, and cost-effective way.

2) Code Compliance

We’ll ensure the safety for everyone in your new space by thoroughly analyzing the building code. If permits are required, we’ll take care of submitting the documents to receive proper authorization.

3) Workability

Our team will work to minimize any disruption caused by construction to your daily business operations. We can be flexible with hours of operation and will put up temporary barriers if necessary for dust, sound, and safety.

4) Post-Construction

We value your trust in us to build your vision and consider you an invaluable partner. We offer a three-year workmanship warranty on all of our projects, and we’re never more than a phone call away. Never hesitate to reach out. Our goal through this process is to make sure you get a final product that fits your needs while creating a lasting partnership.

Let's Build Your Vision

Custom-Engineered Metal Buildings

H.A. Dorsten, Inc. is your premier engineered metal building contractor. Today’s metal buildings can meet the demands of both design and function. Metal buildings come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but at their core, they all utilize a custom-engineered structural steel frame and a high-performance metal roof.

A custom-engineered metal building offers the project owner lower construction costs, increased efficiency, structural durability, and versatility.  While metal wall panels are a popular option, they can be substituted and/or combined with masonry, stone, wood, glass, or other architectural wall treatments. The versatility and flexibility of metal building systems allow for a building with a unique style.

Our efforts in providing our clients with the highest quality available have led us to become an authorized builder with CHIEF Buildings.

Let's Build Your Vision

Crane Rental

H.A. Dorsten provides quality equipment and experience for all your crane and operator needs. We own and operate 45-ton truck crane.

Crane lifting heavy construction pieces into place.
Rent Our Crane

Drone Photography

Part of our vision allows for growth. Throughout the years we have continued to grow right along with our industry and the needs of our customers. That’s why we have a certified Part 107 UAS Pilot on staff for any and all of your drone photography and video needs.

Overhead view of finished school building and cars outside.
Use Our Drone Pilot

Safety First

At H.A. Dorsten, Inc., safety is not simply a requirement—it is a core part of how we do business. We believe every employee, subcontractor, owner, and visitor deserves to go home safely at the end of every day.

We have an OSHA-trained construction safety director on staff who is 100 percent committed to safety assurance and improvement.

In addition to conducting project safety audits, our safety director develops site-specific safety plans for each project. The safety of our employees is of primary importance and an integral part of our company’s planning and operations.

From preconstruction through project completion, we make safety a priority in our planning, communication, and daily operations. Our project teams work proactively to identify potential hazards, coordinate with trade partners, maintain organized jobsites, and promote safe work practices throughout every phase of construction.

We believe a safe jobsite is a well-managed jobsite. That means setting clear expectations, holding ourselves and our trade partners accountable, and addressing potential issues before they become problems. Our superintendents and project teams lead by example, creating a culture where everyone is empowered and expected to take ownership of safety.

For H.A. Dorsten, safety goes beyond compliance. It is about looking out for one another and taking pride in doing the job the right way—safely, efficiently, and professionally.

Safety Is Part of How We Build

Safety First

The safety and welfare of all employees is our primary concern. At H.A. Dorsten, we have an OSHA-trained construction safety director on staff who is 100 percent committed to safety assurance and improvement.

Along with conducting project safety audits, our safety director develops site-specific safety plans detailed for each individual project. The safety of our employees is of primary importance and an integral part of the planning and operations of our company.

We prove our personal commitment and dedication to safety through our acceptance into the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) in 2016. Acceptance as a Star Mobile Workforce VPP Contractor is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health policies and standards.

As of 2020, there were only eight contractors in the state of Ohio carrying a VPP Star Approval. We’re one of the eight.

As of 2020, there were only 61 approved Star sites in the entire United States under NAICS Code 236 – Construction of Buildings. We’re one of the 61.

Pretty impressive for a small, family-owned construction company based in Minster, Ohio!

Official VPP Logo

“Your ongoing efforts to improve your safety and health management programs and your longstanding commitment to VPP are an inspiration to us all. As a valued VPP participant and OSHA partner, you serve as a model of excellence in our national effort to strengthen employee safety and health.”

-Loren Sweatt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary; U.S. Department of Labor