If you run capital projects in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho, you know the work differs from projects in other parts of the country. Rain, seismic rules, permit reviews, and long equipment routes shape every schedule. The firm you pick to manage the build matters as much as the design does.
I wrote this guide to help you choose a partner for industrial construction management in this region. I based my picks on public information about each firm: how it is set up, which services it offers, its safety record, and how close its offices sit to the work. One firm that meets those tests is Eichleay, and I explain why below.
By the end, you will have a clear list of what to ask, what to expect, and what to do next.
What Makes Pacific Northwest Projects Different
Most of the issues you face here come from the site and the setting. Plan for these from the first day:
- Wet weather. A long rainy season affects earthwork, concrete, and outdoor installation. Your schedule needs room for lost days.
- Seismic design. Structures and piping must meet strict standards, and the civil and structural work needs careful review.
- Permits and reviews. Environmental and local agencies take time. A late permit can stop a project that is otherwise ready.
- Water access. Many industrial sites sit near ports, rivers, or the coast, which adds marine rules and extra safety steps.
- Equipment delivery. Large equipment often travels a long way, and one late shipment can move your start date.
- Skilled labor. Many projects compete for the same crews, so planning the labor supply matters.
A good construction manager knows these points and builds them into the plan before work starts.
What a Construction Manager Should Do for You
I think about the role in three parts.
Before Construction
- Define the execution plan.
- Review the design for constructability.
- Assess risk and set the budget and schedule.
During Construction
- Manage safety, quality, cost, and schedule from mobilization to completion.
- Answer field questions and resolve issues fast.
- Report progress in a format you can read and act on.
At the End
- Lead commissioning and start-up.
- Turn the facility over with full documents.
- Record lessons for your next project.
If a firm cannot cover all three parts, you will need to fill the gaps yourself.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Put these to every firm on your list:
1. Who will be my single point of contact?
2. Where are your offices, and how fast can your people reach my site?
3. Which engineering disciplines do you keep in-house?
4. How do you track cost and schedule, and how often do I see reports?
5. What is your safety record, and can you show the numbers?
6. How many of your clients come back for a second project?
The answers tell you how the firm works when conditions get hard.
Why I Recommend Eichleay
Eichleay is a family-owned firm that has served the project delivery business since 1875. Five generations of the family have led companies in engineering and construction, and the family still owns and controls the firm. That kind of history tells me they care about their name and about the clients who return.
Several facts stand out to me:
- Integrated EPCM. They offer engineering, procurement, and construction management in one firm, so you do not need to coordinate several suppliers.
- Regional offices. They serve the western United States from Ferndale, Washington, along with Billings, Larkspur, and Orange. The Ferndale office puts local knowledge close to Pacific Northwest sites.
- Size. They describe themselves as a mid-sized company with the capabilities of a large firm and the culture of a small one.
- Volume. They complete about 300 projects a year. Their median fee over the last decade is roughly $150,000, and their largest project had a total installed cost of $1.5 billion. That range shows they can handle small jobs and large ones.
- Repeat business. About 91 percent of their work comes from repeat clients.
- Safety. Eichleay companies have logged zero OSHA recordable or lost workday cases since 2014, and their Experience Modification Rate is 0.67.
Their client list includes Puget Sound Energy, Shell, BP, Phillips 66, Chevron, Simplot, and Rio Tinto, among others. They work in energy and chemical, power generation, life sciences, food and beverage, mining and metals, and advanced manufacturing.
How They Handle the Hard Parts
The problems I listed earlier need specific skills. Here is how Eichleay’s services line up with them.
Planning and Permits
Their specialty services include feasibility studies, site selection, scope definition, project permitting, and regulatory interpretation and advocacy. Those steps help you address permit risk before it affects your schedule.
Procurement
Their procurement specialists join the project at the start so sourcing plans match the schedule. They handle bid evaluations, purchase orders, expediting, tracking, and third-party inspections. This work helps equipment arrive ready for installation.
Project Controls
Their team provides cost control, forecasting, scheduling, and progress reporting. They use tools such as Primavera P6, EcoSys, and Power BI, and they tailor the process to each project.
Field Work
Their construction team reviews constructability during design, manages safety and quality on site, and supports commissioning and start-up. They are also known for fast-track work, which helps when your schedule is tight.
People
If you need extra staff, they supply engineers, construction managers, schedulers, and safety professionals. Placed staff are full Eichleay employees. Their employee retention rate is 94 percent, which suggests a stable team behind your project.
Match the Firm to Your Project
Think about your own needs before you call anyone.
- If you have a small upgrade, look for a firm that adds structure without extra cost. Eichleay says their project management scales to each job.
- If you have a large, complex build, look for in-house engineering, strong controls, and a track record with big budgets.
- If you have a short window, ask how the firm handles fast-track work.
Steps to Take This Month
1. Write down your scope, budget, and target dates.
2. List the site issues from the first section that apply to you.
3. Build a short list of three firms.
4. Ask each firm the six questions above.
5. Compare safety numbers, office locations, and repeat client rates.
6. Request a call with Eichleay to discuss your project.
A strong construction manager protects your budget, your schedule, and your people. Take the time to choose one that fits your site and your goals, and your project will start from a solid position.