PROJECT WON’T CLOSE
Building Systems Closeout Recovery
Construction may be substantially complete, but the project still will not close.
Mechanical systems are not performing as expected. Controls issues remain unresolved. Testing results do not match actual field conditions. Punch-list items continue to circulate. The owner is dissatisfied. Contractors, designers, and operators may all have different opinions about what is wrong.
Then add one more paragraph directly below it:
Willen Inc. provides independent, hands-on investigation of difficult building-system and project closeout problems.
Observe → Test → Question → Diagnose → Recommend → Resolve → Close
When the Project Is 95% Done — and Stuck
Most projects do not have difficulty getting started. The difficult ones have trouble getting finished.
The building may be occupied. Most of the construction may be complete. Everyone involved may believe their individual work is substantially finished.
Yet the building still does not operate correctly.
- HVAC systems that do not perform as expected
- Controls that continue to generate complaints or unstable operation
- Airflow or hydronic performance that does not agree with design expectations
- TAB, commissioning, or controls information that does not agree with actual field conditions
- Persistent temperature or comfort complaints
- Equipment that operates but does not function properly as part of the overall system
- Punch-list items that repeatedly return
- Contractors and consultants who disagree about the cause of the problem
- Owners who are being asked to accept a building that still does not work correctly
- Projects approaching the warranty period without achieving satisfactory operation
- Developers unable to transition cleanly from construction to occupancy and normal building operation
When these conditions continue, another meeting or another opinion may not be enough.
Sometimes someone needs to go to the building and determine what is actually happening.
Hands-On Means Hands-On
Every Closeout Recovery assignment includes a site investigation.
Willen does not develop a building-performance opinion solely from drawings, reports, emails, or someone else’s conclusions.
We see the building with our own eyes.
We observe the systems in operation.
We talk with the people who have been working with the building.
We compare what was designed, what was installed, what is being reported, and what the building is actually doing.
Diagnostic Field Testing
Where appropriate to the problem, Willen may perform limited non-destructive diagnostic testing to better understand actual system performance.
- Infrared thermographic scanning
- Airflow verification
- Hydronic flow verification
- Temperature measurements
- Pressure measurements
- Equipment operating checks
- Controls and sequence observation
- Sensor and indication comparison
- Functional system checks
- Other field measurements appropriate to the investigation
The objective is not testing for the sake of testing. The objective is to understand why the project is not closing.
We Ask the Hard Questions No One Asks
Troubled projects often reach a point where everyone is focused on individual responsibilities.
The mechanical contractor is looking at mechanical work.
The controls contractor is looking at controls.
The engineer is looking at the design.
The construction manager is trying to close the project.
The owner simply wants the building to work.
Then add this paragraph and bold it:
That is where important questions can fall between the cracks.
Willen approaches the problem independently.
What was supposed to happen?
What was actually installed?
What is the system really doing?
Do the test results agree with field conditions?
Are we looking at the actual problem — or only its symptoms?
What changed?
What has not been verified?
What question has everyone assumed somebody else already answered?
Those questions are often where resolution begins.
What Willen Does
1. Define the Problem
We meet with the client and appropriate project participants to understand the history, known problems, unresolved issues, and desired outcome.
2. Review the Information
We review the drawings, reports, testing, controls information, punch lists, correspondence, and other documents necessary to understand the problem.
3. Investigate the Building
We conduct a hands-on site investigation and perform appropriate diagnostic testing where useful.
4. Develop an Independent Assessment
We compare the documentation with actual field conditions and identify probable causes, inconsistencies, missing information, and additional verification that may be required.
5. Establish the Solution-based Path Forward
We provide a concise written assessment focused on what needs to happen next.
What You Receive
- Significant field observations
- Diagnostic testing results
- Probable causes of unresolved conditions
- Conflicting or incomplete information
- Questions requiring additional investigation
- Recommended corrective actions
- Additional engineering or specialty testing that may be required
- Prioritized next stepsA solution-based path toward project closeout
Follow-up assistance can also be provided for corrective-action review, additional testing, project meetings, return site observations, and verification of completed work.
Who We Help
General Contractors & Construction Managers
When mechanical, controls, testing, or building-performance issues are keeping an otherwise completed project from closing.
Architects & Regional Design Firms
When a project develops MEP or operational problems that require additional hands-on investigation and an independent field perspective.
Developers
When the building is substantially complete but still is not functioning properly, transitioning into occupancy, or reaching satisfactory completion.
Building Owners & Facility Managers
When the project may be considered complete on paper, but the building still does not operate the way it should.
Experience Behind the Service
John R. Williamson — President, Willen Inc.
John Williamson brings approximately 50 years of experience in mechanical construction, project management, commissioning, building-system troubleshooting, and project closeout.
His experience began in the fabrication shop and field and progressed through estimating, project management, construction leadership, and independent commissioning.
Across more than 200 projects, he has repeatedly worked in situations where completing the project required more than checking boxes.
Seeing the conditions firsthand.
Understanding how the systems interact.
Separating symptoms from causes.
Asking the hard questions no one asks.
Finding a practical, solution-based path forward.
That experience is the foundation of Willen’s Building Systems Closeout Recovery service.
What We Are — and What We Are Not
Willen provides independent observation, investigation, diagnostic testing, documentation, analysis, and recommendations.
Where an issue requires licensed engineering design, certified testing, code interpretation, or another specialty service, that need will be identified as part of the recommended path forward.
Willen does not replace the project’s architect, engineer of record, contractors, or certified testing agencies.
Our job is to help determine what is preventing the project from getting finished and what needs to happen next.
Have a Project That Just Won’t Close?
You may not need another long study.
You may need an experienced, independent set of eyes on the building.
Tell us what is keeping the project from closing.
Willen Inc. — Hands-on. Independent. We ask the hard questions no one asks.