Project Close-Out Process for HVAC Mechanical Contractors: Current Practices
This article has been corrected.
VIEW CORRECTIONPublication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149, Issue 1
Abstract
Project close-out is one of the critical phases for any construction project. Quality of close-out data, timeliness of completion, and responsiveness to owner expectations affect the overall client–contractor relationships. Delays in the close-out process can also affect project profitability and delay moving resources to the next job. Because most of the construction scope of work is performed by the subcontractors, it is critical for the close-out process to be performed efficiently at the subcontractor level. One of the critical subcontractors that are involved in every construction project is the HVAC mechanical contractors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and document the existing close-out processes that are currently being utilized by the HVAC mechanical contractors in the construction industry. Professionals from 14 different HVAC mechanical contracting companies participated in the semistructured interviews for a multiple case study analysis. The qualitative analysis in the form of constant comparison and thematic coding using transcripts from the interview was used to identify the general structure of the close-out process, various close-out strategies, project control and success measures for project close-out, use of technology, and the critical close-out documents. The key findings of the study include the importance of planning for project close-out in the planning phases of the project, clear understanding of the owner and general contractor expectations, and proactively implementing methods to collect close-out data and documentation as soon as it becomes available instead of delaying until the end of the project.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This project would not have been made possible without the funding from the New Horizons Foundation, a foundation affiliated with the HVAC and sheet metal contractors, industry partners, and leading researchers. Thank you to all the SMACNA members who participated in this study. A special thanks to the industry advisory committee for their continued support and direction.
References
Al-Hajj, A., and M. Zraunig. 2018. “The impact of project management implementation on the successful completion of projects in construction.” Int. J. Innovation Manage. Technol. 9 (1): 21–27. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijimt.2018.9.1.781.
Alias, Z., E. M. A. Zawawi, K. Yusof, and N. M. Aris. 2014. “Determining critical success factors of project management practice: A conceptual framework.” Procedia-Soc. Behav. Sci. 153 (4): 61–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.041.
Arantes, A., and L. M. D. Ferreira. 2021. “A methodology for the development of delay mitigation measures in construction projects.” Prod. Plann. Control: Manage. Oper. 32 (3): 228–241. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1725169.
Assaf, S. A., and S. Al-Hejji. 2006. “Causes of delay in large construction projects.” Int. J. Project Manage. 24 (4): 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2005.11.010.
Chua, D. K. H., Y. C. Kog, and P. K. Loh. 1999. “Critical success factors for different project objectives.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 125 (3): 142–150. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1999)125:3(142).
Demirkesen, S., and B. Ozorhon. 2017. “Measuring project management performance: Case of construction industry.” Eng. Manage. J. 29 (4): 258–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10429247.2017.1380579.
Elsaid, A. M., H. A. Mohamed, G. B. Abdelaziz, and M. S. Ahmed. 2021. “A critical review of heating, Ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems within the context of a global SARS-COV-2 epidemic.” Process Saf. Environ. Protect. 155 (9): 230–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2021.09.021.
Elzarka, H. M. 2009. “Best practices for procuring commissioning services.” J. Manage. Eng. 25 (3): 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(2009)25:3(155).
Glaser, B. G., and A. Strauss. 1967. The development of grounded theory. Chicago: Alden.
Gunduz, M., and H. A. Elsherbeny. 2021. “Critical assessment of contract administration using multidimensional fuzzy logic approach.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 147 (2): 04020162. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001975.
Hanna, A. S., and M. A. Skiffington. 2010. “Effect of preconstruction planning effort on sheet metal project performance.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 136 (2): 235–241. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2010)136:2(235).
Hansen, D. E. 2021. “Including commissioning during design phase benefits new construction: A qualitative case study.” Doctoral dissertation, School of Business, Northcentral Univ.
Hasanzadeh, S., B. Esmaeili, G. M. Gad, and D. D. Gransberg. 2018. “Impact of owners’ early decisions on project performance and dispute occurrence in public highway projects.” J. Leg. Aff. Dispute Resolut. Eng. Constr. 10 (2): 04518004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LA.1943-4170.0000251.
Johnson, T. A., D. A. Michaels, R. E. Sturgill, and T. R. Taylor. 2017. Streamlined project close-out for construction at KYTC. Lexington, KY: Univ. of Kentucky.
Kaul, V. 2014. “Excessive delays in closeouts can be removed with the adaptation of better practices.” M.S. thesis, School of Construction Management Technology, Purdue Univ.
Kula, B., and E. Ergen. 2021. “Implementation of a BIM-FM platform at an international airport project: Case study.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 147 (4): 05021002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002025.
Larsen, J. K., S. M. Lindhard, T. D. Brunoe, and K. N. Jensen. 2018. “The relation between pre-planning, commissioning and enhanced project performance.” Constr. Econ. Build. 18 (2): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v18i2.5762.
Leech, N. L., and A. J. Onwuegbuzie. 2007. “An array of qualitative data analysis tools: A call for data analysis triangulation.” School Psychol. Q. 22 (4): 557–584. https://doi.org/10.1037/1045-3830.22.4.557.
Leon, H., H. Osman, M. Georgy, and M. Elsaid. 2018. “System dynamics approach for forecasting performance of construction projects.” J. Manage. Eng. 34 (1): 04017049. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000575.
Li, W., C. Koo, T. Hong, J. Oh, S. H. Cha, and S. Wang. 2020. “A novel operation approach for the energy efficiency improvement of the HVAC system in office spaces through real-time big data analytics.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 127 (4): 109885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109885.
Luongo, J. C., K. P. Fennelly, J. A. Keen, Z. J. Zhai, B. W. Jones, and S. L. Miller. 2015. “Role of mechanical ventilation in the airborne transmission of infectious agents in buildings.” Indoor Air. 26 (5): 666–678. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12267.
Mahamid, I., A. Bruland, and N. Dmaidi. 2012. “Causes of delay in road construction projects.” J. Manage. Eng. 28 (3): 300–310. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000096.
McCord, P. J., and D. E. Gunderson. 2014. “Factors that most affect relationships with general contractors on commercial construction projects: Pacific Northwest subcontractor perspectives.” Int. J. Construct. Educ. Res 10 (2): 126–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/15578771.2013.856824.
Mirnaghi, M. S., and F. Haghighat. 2020. “Fault detection and diagnosis of large-scale HVAC systems in buildings using data-driven methods: A comprehensive review.” Energy Build. 229 (5): 110492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110492.
Mock, B., and J. T. O’Connor. 2019. “High-value, low-effort industrial plant commissioning solution strategies.” Constr. Innov. 19 (4): 653–671. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-09-2018-0072.
O’Connor, J. T., and B. D. Mock. 2019. “Construction, commissioning, and startup execution: Problematic activities on capital projects.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 145 (4): 04019009. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001621.
Palekar, A. I., S. K. Ayer, and A. H. Bevier. 2020. “Leveraging automotive industry strategies to define a new paradigm for construction-to-operation information handover.” In Proc., Construction Research Congress 2020: Project Management and Controls, Materials, and Contracts, 301–310. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Parida, V., T. Burström, I. Visnjic, and J. Wincent. 2019. “Orchestrating industrial ecosystem in circular economy: A two-stage transformation model for large manufacturing companies.” J. Bus. Res. 101 (4): 715–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.01.006.
PMI (Project Management Institute). 2008. A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 4th ed. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute, Inc.
Rogers, J. 2012. “Opportunity lost: Mismanagment of the close-out phase of construction projects.” M.S. thesis, School of Construction Management Technology, Purdue Univ.
Shay, Z. B. 2019. “Factor that affect construction project close-out delay in 40/60 saving house project of Addis Ababa.” Doctoral dissertation, Dept. of Construction Management, Addis Ababa Science and Technology Univ.
Simpeh, E. K., J. P. G. Pillay, R. Ndihokubwayo, and D. J. Nalumu. 2021. “Improving energy efficiency of HVAC systems in buildings: A review of best practices.” Int. J. Build. Pathol. Adapt. 40 (2): 165–182. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-02-2021-0019.
Vakiloroaya, V., B. Samali, A. Fakhar, and K. Pishghadam. 2014. “A review of different strategies for HVAC energy saving.” Energy Convers. Manage. 77 (4): 738–754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.10.023.
Yin, R. K. 2009. Case study research: Design and methods. New York: SAGE.
Zhu, L., M. Shan, and Z. Xu. 2019. “Critical review of building handover-related research in construction and facility management journals.” Eng. Constr. Archit. Manage. 28 (1): 154–173. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-10-2018-0442.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149 • Issue 1 • January 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 21, 2022
Accepted: Sep 6, 2022
Published online: Nov 4, 2022
Published in print: Jan 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Apr 4, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building systems
- Business management
- Case studies
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Contracts and subcontracts
- Engineering fundamentals
- Financial management
- HVAC
- Methodology (by type)
- Owners
- Personnel (type)
- Personnel management
- Practice and Profession
- Profits
- Project delay
- Project management
- Research methods (by type)
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.