Projects Q&A

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What is considered a project?

Projects include departmental requests for changes to buildings, space or the campus grounds.

Projects examples include:

adding or modifying electrical outlets,
plumbing,
built-in cabinetry,
lighting changes,
remodeling classrooms,
offices or labs,
removing or adding walls,
installing specialized equipment, or
landscaping improvements such as benches.

It is the responsibility of the requesting department to secure funding for their project prior to implementation.

How do I get a project initiated?

To initiate a project, a Service Request must be submitted using the on-line Service Request in Maximo. Upon your assignment, the project planner/coordinator will meet with you to review scope of work and prepare estimates and design layouts; obtain contractor quotations in accordance with the University’s purchasing policy, ensuring the best value for your money.

How long does it take to get a project completed?

All projects have widely varying requirements. Your project planner/coordinator will review your needs and provide you with a schedule for your work. Depending on the complexity and scope of the work required, a project can take as little as 2 weeks, or 6 months and longer to complete. Our team works very hard to ensure that all projects are completed promptly and satisfactorily. If you have a project request, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can schedule our workload in order to meet your needs and the needs of our other customers. If your project involves renovation work, you should give us a minimum of 4 months lead time.

Can I hire a contractor directly?

No. Your project planner/coordinator is trained and experienced in managing complex construction projects and will ensure that you, the University, and the wider community are protected from liability. Your project planner/coordinator will ensure the following:

All codes and regulations are met.
University policies are followed.
A safe environment for workers, faculty, staff, students and the community is maintained.
Campus standards of quality and maintainability are met.
Potential environmental issues are understood and addressed in accordance with provincial regulations.
Only qualified contractors are used.
Contractor holdbacks, when required, are kept and released in accordance with provincial legislation.
Warranties are obtained.

Do trades employed by the University do the actual work?

In most cases project work is completed by an external contractor. This allows the maintenance team to direct the maximum amount of resources to maintaining the University.