Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, NJ

Hunterdon Central Regional High School

Flemington, NJ

The project consisted of the $13.5M expansion and renovation of the existing high school, including a new cafeteria and kitchen, a two-story classroom wing, and site improvements.

TRAUNER was retained by the School District to provide project management services and expedite project completion. TRAUNER was also retained by the District and its attorney to assist with problems related to the bankruptcy and default of the electrical prime contractor.

TRAUNER assisted with selection of a replacement contractor, consulted with the District’s attorney, and participated in meetings with the District and the Surety.

TRAUNER facilitated the development of a recovery schedule for project completion involving the five prime contractors. We also performed a delay and liability analysis and provided litigation support services for mediation that included the evaluation of project delays, liability for delays, and calculation of damages.

The District was faced with claims from the prime contractors for changes and delays, claims from the architect for unpaid fees, and claims from the electrical contractor’s surety. The District also had claims against the contractors for poor performance, quality and warranty issues, and move-in costs; the architect for design errors and omissions; and the Surety for cost overruns. This resulted in complex litigation among the parties.

We met with the District and its attorneys to present TRAUNER’s findings, including the estimated damages both for and against the District, and assisted in the development of settlement scenarios.

TRAUNER assisted in the preparation of an “affidavit of merit” regarding the architect’s performance. TRAUNER also prepared an expert report that was pivotal in allowing the District to reach a favorable settlement among all the parties.