By: Cassie Watson and Brian Seiffert
When a multifamily project shifts from planning and design to vertical construction with overlapping tasks and tight timelines, the scene can often be chaotic and overwhelming. With multiple subcontractors performing tasks in the same space at the same time, issues can compound quickly. This can create delays that risk passing inspections and obtaining approval for the leasing staff to occupy the building. As the project reaches its final stages, the focus shifts to the crucial step of bringing the building’s network online.
The role of a building network (commonly referred to as an “Owner Network” or “Back of House”) is to provide internet connectivity to building systems, and allowing personnel access as required. There are designated rooms to support the Owner Network, which may not be in main areas of the building. More and more modern building components require internet connectivity (smart thermostats, water submeters, unit door locks, etc.), so understanding these required network locations is critical in defining the building network to ensure overall building system functionality. Accurately identifying these devices and locations is crucial for a successful network installation.
There is often uncertainty in this step, as some development companies do not have personnel or consultants to manage the design and implementation of these networks. Without this planning and oversight, the construction team may not have the required resources needed to answer some of the following questions:
- Have all scope of work items been coordinated for the network installation?
- Is the infrastructure in place to ensure the activation will go smoothly?
- Does the data hand-off previously ordered meet the network’s requirements?
Managing this scope of work is difficult because the construction team may not have the necessary technical knowledge and their attention is primarily directed toward passing the next inspection.
In addition to lack of time, these building network questions often involve multiple technical vendors speaking an IT language the construction team members may not have much experience with. Despite this, and in order to complete budgeting, low voltage proposals must be reviewed to ensure the scope is correct and the price is reasonable. This is often challenging and time-consuming for Project Managers who may be unaware of the details associated with a building systems network requirements. While best efforts can be made to proactively maintain the schedule and design plan, many changes can happen over this period, and corrective actions may be needed in the field.
We were recently approached by a developer that was feeling uncertain about how to get the Owner Network installation across the finish line. With only 120 days before planned occupancy, they engaged RealtyCom Partners to assist. To begin, a matrix of all building systems that may require a connection to the Owner Network was compiled. This allowed the owner to inquire with subcontractors as to the type of internet connection required for their respective system. When the final matrix was approved by the Owner, RealtyCom Partners identified vendors who could complete this scope of work and vetted proposals in advance of the Owner’s evaluation and selection.
The next step was to complete a survey to verify the planned information against what was actually installed, allowing the identification of gaps and issues in the low voltage installation of the building systems. At this juncture, a decision had to be made to either adjust the plan or require the contractor that erred in their installation to fix the gaps in the field. In this case, the Owner opted to have an additional network location added to accommodate the cabling that was routed to an unplanned IDF closet.
RealtyCom Partner’s Owner Network Coordination Service enables our clients to hire an experienced team with an operationalized approach to this critical infrastructure element. This time-and-materials engagement helps reduce the risk and uncertainty of ensuring the Owner’s Network is activated correctly and on schedule. Unlike other areas throughout the construction process where errors or scope gaps are quickly perceived by the next sub, gaps in design or contracted scope in the Owner Network that remain latent are often discovered with little time to have them resolved. For those that have some uncertainty about the Owner Network and do not have an IT team or personnel fluent in network design to oversee the process, please consider RealtyCom as a possible partner to support your efforts.
Brian Seiffert has been a Planning Engineer for RealtyCom since 2018 and previously worked for a low voltage design/install company that did Owner Network Installation work for many new construction multifamily projects in Colorado.
Cassie Watson has been a New Construction Project Manager for RealtyCom since 2023 and previously worked for a large West Coast Development company managing Owner Network Installations for multiple new construction multifamily projects.
