1. Q - What is your "turnaround time" for Plan and Cost Reviews?

A. - Depending on the size and complexity of the project and the amount of documentation to be reviewed, it can take anywhere from one to five work days from receipt of all required information to complete an evaluation, dictate, transcribe and edit the report. The report is then immediately emailed directly to the Client and a hard copy is mailed the same day. If a Client has a need for an expedited report, we may be able to respond by extraordinary means. For example, if a verbal report is acceptable, that may be achievable within one day. Just let us know what the need is and we will do our best to accommodate you.

2. Q - How long does it take to get a draw inspection and payment recommendation?

A - We are keenly aware of the importance of the timely funding of construction projects. We make every effort to respond within 48 hours of receiving a copy of the Application for Payment or the phoned request. We must have a copy of the Application sent to us or available at the job site so we can compare the Application with our on-site assessment of the completion level of the related work items. Unless we await important backup information, we fax our payment recommendation to the Client Lender within a few hours of our inspection. If proper backup is not included with the application, we must await this information or possibly recommend that payment for the unsupported requested items be postponed until the necessary backup is provided. It is, therefore, important that the application be complete, proper backup is provided and any Change Orders properly executed by the parties to the Contract.

3. Q - Do you do anything else at the site?

A - Yes, we do. We review construction in place for compliance with accepted industry standards. Although we are only at the site about an hour or less a month, we are an additional pair of eyes for our Client and the Borrower. If we see something that is amiss, we will discuss it with on-site construction management and include it in our report. We may recommend that the designer take a look at what we perceive to be a potential significant problem. This is often appreciated by both the Lender and the Borrower.

4. Q - Do you inspect new construction projects in the Keys or Jacksonville?

A - Yes. We are positioned to handle construction projects from the Keys to the Panhandle. Our main office is in Boca Raton and we have a well functioning branch office in Longwood, just north of Orlando. Our Longwood office is staffed with full time professional and support employees of ZCC.

5. Q - Do you provide your services outside the State of Florida?

A - While our professional staff is licensed in the State of Florida, our construction experience has been gained from around the country. We draw upon our experience to perform evaluations of existing properties anywhere. Our attitude is: "If there is an airport nearby, we'll do the job for you!" We have performed inspections in several of the lower 48 and the Caribbean islands. If you have a distant project and have a need for any of our services, we will be happy to provide you with a Fee proposal.

6. Q - What is the difference between Replacement Cost and Probable Maximum Loss?

A - The Replacement Cost of a structure is the cost, in current dollars, to replace an existing structure in kind, and is requested by insurance companies. It does not include interior items for which the tenants are responsible, but does include common areas. It does not consider replacement of any of the site improvements on the supporting property, such as landscape damage, pavement damage, etc. It only deals with the building. This is generally required of properties that are still the subject of mortgages. Some Owners who have property that is mortgage free may elect to insure against the Probable Maximum Loss.  We estimate damage that may be sustained by a building as a result of the violent winds of a hurricane. It is likely that the basic shell of most of the more recently constructed structures would not require replacement. This estimated loss figure is less than the Replacement Cost and therefore results in a lower insurance premium.

7. Q - What is included in your Cost to Complete estimate?

A - The Cost to Complete is an estimate, in current dollars, of the hard cost to finish construction at a project. No Soft Costs are included in our estimate. We review the project and determine what is done and what is to be completed. We also determine what has been paid for. The estimated value of the unfinished work, plus any bills that have not been paid for completed work, comprise the estimated Cost to Complete. To this "Hard Cost" estimate must be added any necessary "Soft Cost" items such as professional fees for design or legal work, govermental fees, etc.