How We Build

Lewis approaches every project with a laser focus on helping our clients achieve their goals.  We do this through savvy preconstruction teamwork, effective use of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) tools and meticulous construction management practices. We meet or beat schedule targets through expert scheduling, empowered jobsite teams, and  a united safety culture—all the while upholding the highest standards for quality.

Preconstruction

During preconstruction, Lewis strives to eliminate surprises, meet the design intent without compromise, apply innovations and lessons learned to improve project outcomes and provide reliable, accurate budgets, early in the process.

Pull Planning: Early on we work with project stakeholders to align on preconstruction and design milestones as a team—to achieve timely permitting, bidding and mobilization targets.  Pull Planning workshops improve the accuracy of the overall schedule and help establish buy-in and accountability to meet critical design and decision milestones.

Constructability Review: Drawing on the expertise of our seasoned field and construction management professionals, and lessons learned from some of the most complicated projects in the Pacific Northwest, we perform a comprehensive review of the documents.  We evaluate compatibility of materials, speed of installation and alternative systems and construction techniques.  The result is more complete design, fewer RFIs and more cost-effective construction.

Market Trend Analysis: Our preconstruction department monitors regional and national cost indices, and stays apprised of local market fluctuations, material escalation projections and labor trends.  We also maintain extensive historical cost data, with actual unit costs from thousands of projects constructed throughout the region.

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Self-Performed Work

With Lewis’ self-perform capabilities, our clients benefit from lower construction cost, greater quality and streamlined schedules. Self-performing select scopes of work reduces cost for jobsite offices and supervisory staff, and eliminates third-party markups. Additionally, schedule control is improved because we can ensure the availability of our own personnel.

We perform structural concrete work, selective demolition, miscellaneous iron, rough carpentry, select finishes and miscellaneous specialties with our own forces.

Green Roof

Sustainability & LEED

Lewis is a leader in sustainable construction.  We’ve been focused on sustainability for decades, long before LEED became common industry practice.  Lewis diverts 95-97% of construction waste on our jobsites from landfills, and is one of the first Salmon-Safe accredited contractors in the region.

Our teams have built some of the most sustainable buildings in the Pacific Northwest and implemented some of the most advanced green building technologies engineered to date.  The result is unparalleled expertise when it comes to evaluating, estimating, installing and commissioning sustainable systems.

Target Value Design