In some cases, The Corcoran Company consults designers in the initial phases, helping to assess the feasibility of certain details. "We were discussing the possibility of a dome ceiling for a project," recalls Bruce Dalton of OZ Architects, "and The Corcoran Company people where immediately able to simplify things with their suggestions."

Generally, the players in the design/build process are at the project management level. But often the design/build interactions occur at the field level. Neenan’s Johnson cites a recent project that involved some elaborate walls in an office building’s stairwells. "I personally had never framed or hung drywall around stairs, so it helped me to be able to get together with (The Corcoran Company Foreman) Mike Priest, who has years of experience framing and hanging, and come up with a way to create these details while staying within our budget."

"The Corcoran Company takes the time to really understand our plans and specs. If they don’t understand something, they’ll ask."

           Bryan Casper,
           Hospital Building & Equipment Corp.

Communication, of course, requires a two-way information flow. The Corcoran Company is known for listening carefully to its customers and then carefully assessing their needs. "A lot of drywall companies will come in like a whirlwind, doing things the same way for years and years," says Bryan Casper, a Superintendent with Hospital Building & Equipment Corporation. "But with the Corcoran Company, they take the time to really understand our plans and specs. If they don’t understand something, they’ll ask."

While design/build is established as a formal approach, complete with negotiated bid arrangements, The Corcoran Company maintains a design/build attitude with it’s "hard bid" projects as well.

"Whether we’re working under a negotiated or competitive bid," says Kevin Corcoran, "our fundamental strategy is to make sure we really hear what our clients are telling us, and that we give them exactly what they want. It’s all about building relationships of trust and confidence."

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