Industrial Prime General Contractor & Design-Build Services

Q: What does it mean to hire DePue as the Prime General Contractor?

A: When DePue holds the Prime contract, we are responsible for managing the overall construction project rather than performing only one mechanical subcontract. That can include preconstruction, budgeting, engineering coordination, procurement, scheduling, subcontractor management, permits, safety, construction, inspection coordination, commissioning coordination, closeout, and turnover.


Q: When does it make sense to use DePue as the Prime GC?

A: DePue is an especially strong fit when piping, utilities, equipment, HVAC, boilers, structural systems, or other mechanical scopes drive the complexity of the project. This commonly includes plant expansions, process-line installations, equipment replacements, utility upgrades, mechanical-room projects, shutdown work, and other multi-trade industrial capital projects.


Q: What construction scopes does DePue self-perform?

A: DePue self-performs industrial and process piping, utility piping, pipe fabrication, HVAC, sheet metal and ductwork, boiler and code welding, equipment setting, rigging, structural steel fabrication, and structural steel erection. Demolition, testing and balancing, and certain other scopes may be self-performed or subcontracted depending on the project.


Q: What trades does DePue subcontract and manage?

A: Depending on the project, DePue may manage qualified subcontractors for electrical, controls, engineering, excavation, concrete, civil work, insulation, coatings, fire protection, roofing, architectural scopes, crane services, and other specialty trades required to complete the project.


Q: Can DePue use our facility's preferred subcontractors?

A: Yes. DePue typically works with established trade partners, but we can also incorporate facility-preferred subcontractors when the owner already has electrical, controls, civil, engineering, or other contractors they want involved. Those contractors are still coordinated through the overall project schedule, safety plan, and Prime GC structure.


Q: Can DePue get involved before the design is complete?

A: Yes. DePue routinely becomes involved during conceptual and preconstruction stages. We can help develop scope, perform site reviews, provide ROM budgeting, evaluate constructability and phasing, identify engineering requirements, develop preliminary schedules, and determine what information is still needed before the project is ready for construction.


Q: Does DePue provide industrial design-build services?

A: Yes. DePue performs design-build projects and can contract and manage the appropriate engineering consultants as part of the project team. On other projects, the owner may retain its own engineer and DePue will coordinate construction directly with that design team.


Q: Does DePue perform all engineering in-house?

A: No. DePue provides construction-led design support, BIM/VDC, field verification, constructability, fabrication coordination, and mechanical project input. When licensed or specialized engineering is required, the appropriate engineering consultant is retained either by DePue or by the owner depending on the project delivery model.


Q: How does DePue control the project schedule?

A: DePue develops the master project schedule with input from the plant or facility. Depending on the project, schedule controls may include CPM scheduling, milestone tracking, short-term look-ahead schedules, subcontractor sequencing, procurement tracking, shutdown and tie-in schedules, and daily coordination during critical construction windows.


Q: How does DePue manage project costs and change orders?

A: Cost management can include budget tracking, committed-cost tracking, subcontractor cost management, change-order logs, owner approval workflows, and forecast-at-completion reviews. Changes are communicated and documented so the owner can understand their scope, cost, and schedule impact before work proceeds when project conditions allow.


Q: Can DePue manage construction while the facility remains operational?


A: Yes. A significant portion of DePue's work takes place inside operating industrial facilities. Construction planning can account for production schedules, access limitations, sanitation requirements, existing utilities, shutdown windows, tie-ins, temporary conditions, equipment movement, and other constraints that affect an active plant.


Q: Who is responsible for site safety when DePue is the Prime GC?

A: DePue has Prime-contractor site safety responsibility and manages subcontractor safety coordination, orientations, JHAs, project requirements, and communication with the facility's safety program. DePue's current EMR is 0.79, and all DePue foremen are OSHA-30 trained.


Q: Does DePue handle permits and inspections?

A: Yes. DePue can manage project permitting, trade-permit coordination, inspection scheduling, and communication with the applicable authority having jurisdiction. Specific responsibilities can vary by municipality, project type, and owner requirements.


Q: Does DePue perform commissioning?

A: DePue manages startup and commissioning coordination as part of the Prime GC role. The actual commissioning of individual equipment or systems may be performed by the appropriate OEM, engineer, controls contractor, testing provider, or other qualified party depending on the project.


Q: What contract and pricing models does DePue use?

A: DePue works under several project structures, including lump-sum or stipulated-sum contracts, negotiated owner-direct contracts, time and material, competitive bid, design-build, and Construction Management. Cost-plus, GMP, and unit-price arrangements can also be used when they fit the project delivery model.


Q: Can DePue provide open-book project cost transparency?

A: Yes, on applicable Construction Management engagements performed for the owner. In those situations, DePue can provide an open-book approach that gives the owner visibility into project and subcontractor costs.


Q: What industries does DePue serve as a Prime General Contractor?

A: DePue's Prime GC experience includes food and beverage, chemical and process, oil, gas and refining, power generation, industrial and manufacturing, water and wastewater, commercial facilities, and municipal projects.


Q: Does DePue build ground-up industrial projects?

A: Yes, when the project has a meaningful mechanical or industrial construction component. DePue is not positioned as a general contractor for residential construction, high-rise construction, or projects driven primarily by architectural interiors, roofing, electrical, or civil/site work with little mechanical scope.


Q: Where does DePue provide Prime General Contracting services?

A: DePue's primary Prime GC market is Northern Illinois and Greater Chicago. We may also manage select projects outside Illinois for established and legacy clients. Self-performed labor availability is coordinated based on the applicable union jurisdiction and project location.


Q: What information should we have before contacting DePue about a capital project?

A: A complete drawing set is not required. DePue can begin with an operational need, project concept, equipment requirement, preliminary scope, existing drawings, budget target, desired completion date, or shutdown requirement. The first step is understanding what the facility needs to accomplish and how far the project has already been developed.