The WGA team has the expertise to provide a range of services to satisfy its clients individual specifications, timeframes and budgets. WGA carefully guides every step of the design process from concept to completion of construction, whether the client is creating a building or reshaping a space. WGA adheres to rigorous quality control measures throughout the process to ensure that buildings and spaces are being remodeled or created to meet all applicable codes and standards. Below is an example of the type of services WGA provides.
Preliminary Planning and Design:
- Building Code Analysis – Review and analysis of existing site conditions for the project to determine compliance with applicable local building codes.
- Zoning Ordinance Analysis – Review and analysis of existing site conditions for the project to determine compliance with applicable local zoning ordinances.
- Existing Conditions Analysis – Field inspection of the physical site and building to observe and document the soundness of existing construction.
- Field Survey – Measure and record existing elements of the interior and exterior of a building to the extent that it satisfies the client’s scope of work.
- Programming – Provide a detailed, written scope of work, based on the analysis of the proposed building/site, along with the client’s program objectives, constraints, timeframe and budget.
Design Services:
- Schematic Design – Develop concept design documents that illustrate the intent and scale of the proposed project, in relation to the project components, and based on the program/scope of work and schedule approved by the Client.
- Design Development – Develop design documents, based on the approved schematic designs, that describe and illustrate the proposed scope, relationship, form, size and appearance of the project, including plans for the interior and exterior of the building, and plans for the site.
- Interior Design – Develop plans and details that detail and illustrate the selection and installation of materials, finishes and millwork. The interior elevations, floor plans, and finish plans and details are used to obtain construction and pricing details for the project.
- Construction Documents – Provide detailed drawings and specifications that identify the type of materials and systems for the project, based on the plans developed during the design development phase of the project.
- Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing Documents – Provide detailed drawings that identify the locations of (WGA works with qualified and licensed MEP contractors, as required):
- Mechanical systems: HVAC supply and return diffusers, location and size of air ducts, mechanical ventilation, and natural light and air calculations.
- Electrical systems: Electrical and lighting plans.
- Plumbing systems: Plumbing supply and waste riser diagrams.
- Energy Analysis – Provide verification and certification that a building complies with all applicable local energy codes, for the purposes of obtaining a building permit.
- LEED Analysis (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) – Qualified staff help provide a framework to create healthy, highly energy efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. WGA has developed a solid reputation for creating buildings that are environmentally responsible in the use of building materials and resources.
Bidding Services:
WGA works with its clients to obtain competitive bids for its projects by reviewing and awarding construction contracts; as well as provide bid requirements, proposed contract forms, general conditions and supplementary conditions, and specifications and drawings.
Permit Services and Expediting:
WGA works with its clients, as needed, to guide projects through the permit process, as required by specific local municipal agency, to ensure the quickest possible procurement of required permits for construction of a project. WGA will submit all required forms and plans, make any necessary changes to construction documents, attend required permit related meetings based on
Construction Administration Services:
WGA will provide construction administration services, as needed, beginning when a construction contract is awarded and terminating after the issuance of a certificate of final acceptance by the client. WGA will schedule regular visits to the construction site and provide any required reports to the client detailing WGA staff observations of the progress of construction at the client’s site and ensure compliance with the construction documents.
Additional Services:
- Renderings and Models – Provide digital renderings or models, using the most digitally advanced imaging software available, to illustrate the design intent of a project.
- Surveying – WGA often contracts the services of a licensed land surveyor to execute all necessary ALTA Land Surveys, Plats of Survey, Topographic Surveys or any other required survey to accurately describe the physical characteristics, legal limitation or utility locations of a site for a specific project.
- Geotechnical Engineering – WGA will contract with a licensed geotechnical engineering contractor, as required, to provide test borings, test pits, determinations of soil bearing values, percolation tests, evaluations of hazardous materials, ground corrosion tests, and resistivity tests, including necessary operations for anticipating subsoil conditions; along with all necessary reports and recommendations.
- Structural Engineering – WGA will contract the services of a licensed structural engineer to check the integrity of a buildings design, with regards to the size and spacing/location of primary structural members, framing members, construction details, construction specifications, connection details, and the evaluation of existing structural members.
- Hearings for Plan Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals / Historic Preservation – WGA will attend all required meetings and submit all necessary forms, applications, specifications, renderings or other documentation to the appropriate municipal agency in an effort to obtain the necessary special uses, site plan reviews, zoning variances, historic preservation approvals, as may be required by local governments prior to approval of a building permit.
- Self-Certification Permitting (select projects and scope in the City of Chicago only) – WGA will certify that its construction documents for a project are compliant with all applicable laws, statures, ordinances, building codes, and rules and regulations. WGA will attend all meetings and submit permit applications, drawings, specifications, forms or any other documentation required by the municipal authorities to procure the building permit for construction.
