JML Architects recognizes the extreme importance of designing the project within the defined budget. In conjunction with the Construction Manager and the client's representative, the Project Architect compares preliminary construction and project budgets to tabulations of anticipated program space. Using D4Cost®, JML also compares the budget figures to construction costs for recently built projects in East Texas similar to the one in question. We review specific issues of the proposed site(s) and discuss their impact on the overall cost with the Construction Manager and/or client's representative. Before developing design documents, the Project Architect describes the basic systems anticipated to be incorporated into the project—foundation, wall construction, roof structure and surfacing, major heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) and electrical elements, etc.—and reviews conflicts or potential cost overruns with the Construction Manager and client's representative. During each phase, particularly at milestones where specific systems are defined, the Project Architect confers with the Construction Manager to ascertain cost impact and then with the client's representative to secure agreement with these systems. At the end of each phase, the Project Architect provides the Construction Manager with appropriately detailed documentation for the Construction Manager's use in preparing a construction-cost estimate. Should the project exceed the budget at any phase, the Project Architect, together with the Construction Manager and the client's representative, will determine proper budgetary measures and, if necessary, assess feasibility of each recommended cost-cutting item. JML uses Value Engineering principles at every stage of the project to avoid potentially drastic redesign at either the end of the design phase or after the bidding phase.