ITO, no offence intended.
When I hear the phrase 'Value Engineering" come up late in the game I have flashbacks to a project where the VE involved downsizing the Switchboard (within the Code) and ending up too small to support the building addition that was tagged "future" on the drawings.
I've also had bad experiences with Contractors who figured VE in their original price and want an extra to provide what is clearly in the job.
VE is a wonderful thing, it's saved millions on my jobs over the years, but it would be nice if the playing field was level between the good guys and the crumbs.
When it's done wrong it leaves folks with a bad taste in their mouth.
BTW, every job that I do the lighting gets substituted for a heck of a lot less than the original package. I love it when the greedier lighting reps get their comeuppance.
