Construction project submittal management

Abstract

A network based construction project management system. The system includes network accessible databases of project information including drawings and specifications. The system allows for varying amount of access for various user including general contractors, subcontractors, architects and project owners. The system allows for the effective creation, management and long term accessible storage of project submittals.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of planning a construction project including the steps of:
 storing material specification information on a component of a computer network, said component of said computer network being controlled by a subscription service provider;   storing user information on said component of said computer network, said user information including user credentials;   receiving design parameters for a construction project;   providing a list of materials capable of meeting said design parameters for said construction project from said computer network; and   providing a list of users with credentials necessary to complete said construction project.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said computer network comprises the Internet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing said lists includes granting a user access to said computer network through one or more access points, at least one of said access points being a PDA or other portable device. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising the step of providing a limited set of capabilities to said PDA from a larger set of capabilities provided to other access points. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said computer network includes a project bidding system that is controlled by said subscription service provider. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein information from said bidding system may be accessed for utilization in a submittal document. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said bidding system utilizes a method for receiving bids comprising the steps of:
 posting a bid request on said computer network;   receiving sealed electronic bids over said computer network;   storing said sealed bids unopened until a specified time;   essentially simultaneously opening all said sealed bids at an electronic bid opening accessible to bidders via said computer network.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said user information includes a number of unfinished jobs associated with a user and whether any of those jobs are classified as being behind schedule. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the step of deducting a fee from a prepaid account for each list that is requested. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising the step of notifying a system user when said prepaid account falls below a threshold level. 
     
     
         11 . A method of managing a construction project comprising:
 storing job information for at least one construction project, said job information being stored on a component of a computer network, said component of said computer network being controlled by a subscription service provider;   storing user information on said component of said computer network;   granting a first user access to at least a portion of said job information;   receiving a request for payment from a second user, said request for payment being received through said computer network;   receiving approval of said request for payment from said first user, said approval being received through said computer network; and   notifying a payor of said approval of said request for payment.   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said first user is a general contractor and said second user is a sub-contractor. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising the step of granting said second user access to at least a portion of said job information for the at least one construction project. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising the step of limiting access to said request for payment to specified users of said subscription service provider. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said computer network includes a project bidding system that is controlled by said subscription service provider. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein information from said bidding system may be accessed for utilization in a submittal document. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said bidding system utilizes a method for receiving bids comprising the steps of:
 posting a bid request on said computer network;   receiving sealed electronic bids over said computer network;   storing said sealed bids unopened until a specified time;   essentially simultaneously opening all said sealed bids at an electronic bid opening accessible to bidders via said computer network.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising the step of storing information regarding a change order associated with the at least one construction project, said information including a description of the change, materials involved, time involved, whether it is necessary to extend the original estimated completion date, costs associated with the change order, and authorization for the change order. 
     
     
         19 . A method of estimating the cost of a construction project, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing material specification information on a component of a computer network, said component of said computer network being controlled by a subscription service provider;   storing prevailing wage rates on said component of said computer network, said prevailing wage rates being classified by prearranged trade areas;   receiving design parameters for a construction project; and   providing archived information pertaining to previous construction projects.   
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said computer network includes a project bidding system that is controlled by said subscription service provider, said bidding system utilizing a method for receiving bids comprising the steps of:
 posting a bid request on said computer network;   receiving sealed electronic bids over said computer network;   storing said sealed bids unopened until a specified time;   essentially simultaneously opening all said sealed bids at an electronic bid opening accessible to bidders via said computer network.