Looking for a Construction Consultant? 10 Things to Check Before Your Project Breaks Ground
Selecting a construction consulting firm before work begins can help clarify project roles, expected services, and how decisions will be documented. The right scope depends on project type, delivery method, schedule, and owner needs. Which responsibilities do you expect a consultant to take on? If you would like to discuss your project with our team, you can reach us through our contact page.
The following checklist applies to owners considering commercial construction consulting, multifamily residential construction consulting, or support for industrial, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. Not every service listed will be relevant to every project.
1. Relevant project-type experience
Experience should relate to the proposed work, not only to construction in general. Consider building type, new construction or renovation, occupied-site requirements, delivery approach, and technical complexity. Ask to speak with references for projects similar to yours.
Ask: “Can you share examples of projects like ours, and identify the team members who worked on them?”
2. Scope coverage across project phases
Consulting needs can change from initial concept through construction and post-construction. Some owners need early planning or development support; others need design coordination, site observations, or closeout assistance. Define the phases and tasks required for your project, rather than assuming a firm covers every step.
Ask: “Which phases and deliverables are included in your proposed scope, and what would be outside it?”
Pono Consulting Group describes work spanning project planning, design and engineering coordination, construction monitoring, and closeout. Its construction management services provide further detail.
3. Certified construction and project-management expertise
Review the qualifications of the people assigned to the work. Confirm how their training and credentials relate to the specific services proposed. If specialist inspections or testing are part of the scope, verify the responsible person’s qualifications and the applicable project requirements.
Ask: “Who will lead our work, what relevant credentials do they hold, and how will their time be allocated?”
4. Coordination with the project team
Consultants may coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and the owner. The agreement should describe how information will be shared and who has authority to make decisions. Clarify the consultant’s role in meetings, submittals, requests for information, and potential changes.
Ask: “How will you coordinate with our design and construction teams, and what decisions can you make on the owner’s behalf?”
Pono describes its approach as connecting client needs, design and engineering, and construction practices. The firm also reports working through relationships with engineering firms, contractors, and material suppliers. The expected participants and responsibilities should still be established for each project.
5. Building-envelope and roofing expertise, where applicable
For projects where the roof, exterior walls, waterproofing, or air and water barriers are significant, check whether the consultant has specific building-envelope experience. Ask how the proposed scope addresses design review, material coordination, installation observations, testing, and documentation.
Ask: “What building-envelope or roofing reviews and observations would be included, and what testing may be appropriate for our project?”
Pono offers building envelope consulting and roofing systems consulting. These services may be relevant to some projects, but are not required for every engagement.
6. Inspection and testing capabilities
Inspection and testing requirements vary by project and jurisdiction. Confirm which services the consultant can provide, which require a separate qualified provider, and how results will be reported. If fire-rated assemblies are involved, clarify the scope for observing or testing those assemblies and the credentials required.
Ask: “Can you identify the inspections and tests our project may require, who will perform them, and how findings will be recorded?”
Pono states that it is certified for special inspections of spray-applied fire-resistant materials. Its inspection services and fire inspector information describe related capabilities. Confirm the project-specific scope and applicable requirements before engagement.
7. Clear deliverables, reporting, and decision records
A proposal should name the expected outputs, such as meeting notes, site observation reports, issue logs, schedule updates, or decision records. Confirm how frequently reports will be issued, who receives them, and how open items are tracked to resolution.
Ask: “What will we receive, how often will we receive it, and how will you document decisions and unresolved issues?”
8. Cost and change management
Ask how the consultant will support cost visibility and communicate changes. The scope may include reviewing estimates, tracking budget status, documenting proposed changes, or assessing schedule and cost impacts. Clarify what the consultant reviews and what remains the responsibility of the design professional, contractor, or owner.
Ask: “How will you report budget changes, evaluate proposed changes, and identify decisions needed from us?”
9. Commissioning, closeout, and operations documentation
Closeout may involve inspections, punch lists, test records, warranties, training, and operations documentation. Commissioning may be relevant for particular building systems or owner requirements. Identify who will lead commissioning and how its activities fit into the schedule. WBDG guidance emphasizes documenting owner performance requirements early; the GSA commissioning guide also addresses planning commissioning as part of project delivery.[1][2]
Ask: “What closeout and commissioning tasks are included, who is responsible for each, and what records will we receive?”
10. Communication, references, and fit with owner objectives
A consultant’s communication approach should match the owner’s decision process and available staff. Request references, confirm who will be the day-to-day contact, and discuss how urgent issues or disagreements will be escalated. Compare proposals based on the stated scope and team, not fee alone.
Ask: “Can we speak with owners of comparable projects, and how will your team adapt reporting and communication to our objectives?”
Pono Consulting Group reports over 30 years of combined experience across residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. The firm describes its team as certified construction and project-management experts, supported by industry relationships. Its stated priorities include quality, customer service, and cost-efficiency. Owners can review the firm’s background and qualifications alongside other proposals.
Pre-engagement checklist
Before signing an agreement, consider confirming that you have:
Defined project objectives, scope, schedule, and known constraints.
Identified the consultant’s responsibilities and decision-making authority.
Named the proposed project lead and confirmed availability.
Reviewed relevant project examples, references, and qualifications.
Listed deliverables, reporting frequency, and communication channels.
Clarified the approach to budget tracking and change documentation.
Identified any required specialist inspection, testing, or commissioning services.
Confirmed closeout expectations and the records the owner will receive.
Reviewed assumptions, exclusions, fees, and the process for additional services.
Which of these items is most important to your project at this stage? Are there other qualifications you would include when selecting a construction consulting firm?
Pono Consulting Group works with owners to define project needs and determine where consulting support may fit. To discuss a commercial, multifamily, industrial, hospitality, or renewable energy project, contact Pono Consulting Group — by phone at 808-646-2966, by email at jonathans@ponocg.com, or through the contact form on the same page.
References
Whole Building Design Guide, Determining Project Performance Requirements.
U.S. General Services Administration, Commissioning Guide.
Construction Specifications Institute, Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA).
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