Extra materials

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Author Message David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 350 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 08:30 pm:    Are there any hard and fast rules for specifying extra materials? What I mean by extra materials is left over for maintenance stock. Richard L Matteo Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 08:37 pm:    Not generally. Sometimes it depends on the owner. I ususally try to get them to tell us how much they want.Failing that, the rule of thumb I have used in the past is 5% of what ever was specified, but not less than 1, or XX sq. yds., or XX gallons, etc. Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: rjray Post Number: 24 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 10:39 am:    Some years back an owner of a public project required “extra materials” for insulated glass units. They directed me to specify this on a percentage basis of each type and size of insulated glass unit applicable to the project. A review of the quantities determined that the cost of these “extra materials” was in the half a million dollar range. I ended up including a schedule within the glazing section listing the number of “extra material” units required for each fro each type and size of glass unit. I have never specified “extra materials” using a percentage of an installed product. I look at the cost estimates for the project and make a determination of the actual quantity that seems appropriate. I see no reason to have a contract requirement that is subject to different people’s opinions of what the total installed quantity of a particular material might really be. The other problem I see with specifying on a percentage basis, is that the owner can end of with a lot of material that has a shelf life shorter than the time frame which the owner may actually use the “extra material.” An example of this is paint. Why have 5 percent of a material like paint that could be several gallons, that is useless after the first year of occupancy? Steven T. Lawrey, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Junior Member Username: lawrey Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 02:02 pm:    Unless otherwise directed, I typically specify that the contractor furnish one unit (carton, can, roll) in the manufacturers' original packaging of a given material. This way the owner has maintenance material in the rare instance repairs are needed. The owner also has the necessary ordering information should additional materials be needed. This procedure also helps control cost. My feeling is that once extra finish materials are stored away they are quickly forgotten (out of sight out of mind). In the event significant repairs are needed, alternate materials and colors are usually considered in order to avoid a repeat of the condition that prompted the repairs, or someone wants to change the original look. I never specify extra "durable materials" such as brick unless specifically directed, including quantities. Kenneth C. Crocco Senior Member Username: kcrocco Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 03:52 pm:    If you have a client that is required to be operational 24/7 365 or 364, then extra materials takes on a whole new character. Extra materials for this client is the difference of providing the service necessary for the clientele or not. Even with service contracts, some items simply cannot be had for days or longer. We have such a client and we have been working out many details on this issue for them. if you are still interested i would be willing to share some work we have done toward extra materials. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 353 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 02:03 pm:    To answer my own question. My issue of The Construction Specifier arrived today and on page 20 is an article, "Specifying Extra Materials" by David Wyatt. This is a very good article and very timely! John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 184 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 07:01 pm:    I think the magnitude of requirements for extra materials is directly proportional to the current remodeling activities on the architect's home. William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: wpegues Post Number: 309 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 04:11 pm:    Just to weigh in with an opinion here, I have specified extra materials for some time for specific items. They are the type of items that are easily damaged over a couple years, or that might need replacement. Right off the top, extra ceiling tiles, resilient flooring and base, pavers or all kinds, stone flooring, carpet, interior paints and wall coverings, those are the primary ones. Our owners typically own their facilities, not sell them off, and most of them have even come asking for these things. None of them are remenants or unused portions, but "X" number of sealed unopened contaniers or packages for every "Y" quantity of product used. There are also some jurisdictions where an Owner is required to have a certain percentage of pavers as extra stock for replacement of walks if utility work damages them...the utility and jurisdiction won't pay to replace any broken units. Now there are Owners who have no interest in this kind of thing. They want it removed, and its their decision. William Dave Wyatt, CSI, CCA, CCCA (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 11:44 am:    Specifying extra materials is one set of issues. The owner should be involved in deciding what is necessary for a project. Making sure the materials are delivered in the correct amount and condition to the appropriate person at contract closeout is another issue. If the A/E or owner's representative is not paying attention, he or she might be handed a box of scrap at the end of a project. Yet another issue is advising the owner on proper storage conditions for those materials so they are in acceptable condition when needed. Unless these issues are considered, the owner may spend a lot of money for extra materials and end up with nothing useful. For a little history on the topic, read "Attic Stock" by Brian Stearns in the Summer 2004 issue of Slate Roof Quarterly [(888)766-4273].