Larry Gayne Consulting
Executive consulting for high-rise, mid-rise, townhouse, hotel and commercial construction,
working with Developers, Constructors and third party Construction Managers in Canada.
"In my career I've encountered the same mistakes being made over and over again. I've learned how to prevent them and saved companies literally millions of dollars!"
services
Management Training for Developers
Replace common mistakes with solutions from my vast experience. Together we will elevate the skills and capabilities of your project management team.
Guidance for Construction Managers
I can advise construction management companies on how to attract developer clients...and how to keep them!
Contract Development and Analysis
Avoid excessive extras and scope gaps inadvertantly sanctioned by most documents. I will protect your interests and improve your contracts, so that you are the favored party.
Drawings
Upgrade your drawings to minimize change orders and extras. I know what to look for!
Consultants and Subcontractors
Avoid common over-sights, miscommunications and conflicts which cost you extra time and money. I help select and draft contracts with the best consultants and subcontractors, ensuring a successful partnership.
Project Management
I have performance driven techniques that include all aspects of the development and construction cycle, including employee evaluation (and hiring as might be required), coupled with a direct "hands-on" approach to construction management.
- I can show Developers how to avoid million dollar oversights and mistakes.
- I've encountered most of the common construction/development mistakes over and over during my 40 years of experience...often the hard way. So I know how to prevent or avoid them!
- YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THESE MISTAKES ANY LONGER! I will show you how with HANDS-ON DIRECTION.
- Your agreements have serious flaws that cost you money but can easily be fixed.
- Your consultants can provide better drawings thereby reducing extras.
- I'll provide a dozen or more "tid-bits" that will save you millions
- You'll get everything from CM tendering insights, to contract pitfall avoidance, to upgrading drawing effectiveness.
- In short, I can point out specifics to initiate and manage the implementation of huge cost saving measures.
- I coach and mentor your construction management team so that you make more money and better satisfy your developer clients.
- Would you like to know how to attract more developer clients...and keep them? I show you how.
- Do you find that your company is sometimes at odds with your clients? I help direct your team on how to better align with your clients.
- Would you like to reduce your risks as you build the project? I provide insight.
- Could your projects be going better? I will provide necessary guidance.
- Your employees can make schedules...but how good are they at adhering to them? I show them how to improve on maintaining a schedule.
- Would you like your clients to treat you more like a friendly partner than an adversary? Having been on the developer side for many years, I can advise how.
- Would you like to have a distinct "edge" when submitting your next proposal? I show you how.
- Would you like to enjoy a much higher likelihood of repeat work from each client? It's easier than you think, and I can provide the details.
- Improve the construction management skills of your employees. I've been mentoring for years and can provide several references from those individuals.
- The cost of my consulting services is dwarfed by your fee on the most insignificant extra!
- I'm just a phone call away and available part time, by the month, week or day...pretty much any configuration tailored to your needs.
- Most draft contracts have many detrimental clauses and phrases that could readily be deleted or altered if properly identified.
- I will not only craft protective and defensive contracts...but I can negotiate them on your behalf.
- Every contract has subtle clauses, catch-all phrases and nuances that can cause you grief downstream. I provide contract analysis so you can understand your risks and avoid issues.
- Lawyers are generally an asset...but can be very expensive. I help you understand exactly when and to what extent lawyers should be utilized.
- I offer a variety of contract services for any budget, from red lining to rewriting.
- With my customized services, you'll get exactly what you need...when you need it!
- What documents should be included (as schedules) in a contract and WHICH ONES SHOULD NOT!
- Learn what to look out for and how better to protect your interests.
- I can show Developers how to improve consultant drawing quality and reduce costly extras.
- Learn how to identify drawing omissions, conflicts and coordination failures before they become extras.
- Hold face to face drawing coordination meetings that include "page turns" and pipe tracing to reduce extras.
- Involve key trades in the drawing advancement process.
- I can show Developers how to improve consultant performance and quality to reduce costly extras.
- Incorporate "Scopes of Work" into your consultant RFPs so that they fully understand your expectations.
- Get your consultant's mandates better aligned with your's.
project management
I can assist in the following areas:
- Precon
- Design Assist - providing insight into what things matter and which ones don't!
- Budget Analysis
- Tendering - I have a process that will catch many "scope gaps" before they cost you a fortune as a change order.
- Subcontracting
- Contract Development - have the lion's share of contract drafting completed in-house and not by expensive lawyers
- PM oversight - I can identify systemic inefficiencies and poor practices in construction projects. I will attend subcontractor meetings and PM meetings, monitor the project and provide timely notification when things might be going astray.
- Quality Control - learn how to minimize floods and water penetration during construction and afterwards.
- Project Management
- Owner's Representative for construction management
Through training and raising the effectiveness of your employees, I will:
- Show you how to implement a proactive approach to reducing the cost and volume of extras
- Demonstrate where, why and how the CM's interests might not align with the Owner's...and how to close the gap.
- Provide counselling to less experience people...and advise them on what questions to ask when they don't have the answers
- Mentor on how to avoid and/or mitigate budget overages and schedule delays
- Explain how to create realistic time frames and schedules
- Provide insight into insurance needs and loss prevention
- Outline ways to avoid common pitfalls and hire the right subcontractors
I respond to issues in minutes, not hours or days.
We offer 24 hour support to help get you out of a jam quickly and with the least amount of damage or cost.
Clients have access to my direct line.
about larry
I am a seasoned business and construction expert with multiple stints at the vice president and president levels. I am currently offering consulting services having recently left Main and Main as their VP of Construction for over 7 years.
I have some considerable experience in the development and construction fields as well as some other somewhat diverse but, complimentary areas. I have an undergraduate degree from U of T and graduated from Ryerson in Structural Engineering. I have extensive construction project management experience building condos, hotels and office complexes. I have also built some townhouse complexes and a handful of luxury homes. I started at the bottom with Greenwin, learned all aspects of the development, construction and maintenance fields and know well the need for building "On Time AND On Budget". I ultimately rose to the level of Vice President of Construction at Hanson Developments before going into the manufacturing business on my own. So, I am quite capable of supervising and managing at all levels.
I am an expert at multi-tasking, have a high level of common sense and an extraordinary ability to prioritize and organize. I also have a talent for writing documents including commercial leases, training manuals, contracts, work scopes, advertisements and more. Plus, I am a good public speaker, adept in communicating details so that they are clearly understood and an excellent negotiator as well. Additionally, I have a strong traditional work ethic, superior communication skills, a savvy business acumen and a keen attention for details. In fact, I have rather anal tendencies when it comes to maintaining quality levels. Lastly, I have a considerable amount of legal experience particularly in the area of preparing construction cases for litigation,…as well as knowing how to avoid legal problems. I am in excellent health and enjoy playing tennis and waterskiing.
As I’m sure that you can imagine, I've garnered a wealth of knowledge, expertise and ability in (particularly) construction over many decades and I'm in a position to save developers millions! I know how to reduce extras and can provide huge value from instituting better drawing coordinating processes to drafting Scopes of Work and contracts (for CMs, consultants, subcontractors, etc). My services are available under any guise from part time to more and from mentorship/lecturing to hands-on consulting, problem solving and direction.
mission
My Mission
I’m all about cutting through the noise and getting straight to what works. Whether you are undertaking construction inhouse or using Construction Managers to complete your projects, I can take your team’s skills to the next level so that you’re not just saving pennies; you’re shaving off massive costs from your projects. Think in the ballpark of millions. Yes, you read that right.
What I Bring to Your Table
I’ve been in the trenches of the building industry, managing large projects that would make most folks’ heads spin. My approach is hands-on, no fluff, no BS and I use that approach even when utilizing a third-party Construction Manager! I’m here to share what I’ve learned—the good, the bad, and the ugly—through real-talk and interactive discussions/seminars/mentorship to guide your projects to success.
Here’s How Things Could Roll
• Scope Gaps? We’re closing them and reducing the number of extras. I’ll show you how to improve the quality of your drawings, tender better and generally tighten up your projects to keep your budget in check. On all the projects where I’ve used CMs, I am intimately involved in the tender processes and ultimate awards.
• Water Issues? I’ve got battle-tested strategies to keep your sites dry and your projects moving.
• High Project Management Costs? Not on my watch. We’ll trim the fat together. And, there’s lots inadvertantly built into your agreements!
• Consultant Quality? If you haven’t done so already, I’ll can help you pick the best, create agreements that better address your expectations and avoid unnecessary costs.
• Specialized Construction Techniques? From caissons to dewatering, I’ve got the “learned the hard way” tips that save big bucks.
Straight Talk
You’re not hiring a faceless company or a subordinate employee; you’re teaming up with me—Larry Gayne. I’m your no-nonsense, straight-talking ally and resource in this game, bringing years of hard-learned and hard-won experience to your corner. I’ll direct you down the right paths and avoid the problematic roads! And while my offering does include written “teaching” materials,…I try to keep things agile and interactive through understandable communication and real life examples. My style is very conducive/effective to specific project management assistance and/or guidance to all those involved from the Assistant Coordinator to the President. And my consulting approach can be applied both internally (to employees) and/or directly to your CM. Either way, I’m available for real time advice, problem solving and actual project direction. That way, my hard-earned experience and insights stay fresh and exclusive, tailored just for you and your projects.
The Bottom Line
In short, I offer more than a expert consultancy,…it’s a partnership where I provide the total benefit of years and years of experience to assist you in raising the bar and success level for your projects. If you’re ready to raise your company standards and distance yourselves from the quagmire of unqualified people, endless extras, seemingly endless rising costs, I’m just a conversation away. My resume is available on request.
portfolio
testimonials
contact
- Toronto, ON, Canada
Please feel free to email or contact me on my direct line.