• Can you give us information about your consultancy services in hotel projects?

Within the scope of hotel construction investments, we provide Construction Management, Design Management, Cost Management, Project Management, Technical Evaluation, and Credit Monitoring Services Green Building Consultancy services.

• At which stage of the project do you generally participate in hotel projects?

As ENTEGRE, we took part in hotel investment projects of domestic and foreign companies. Among them, we have provided services to groups such as W Hotel, Four Seasons, Kempinski, Dedeman, Hilton, Nikki Beach, Peninsula and continue to provide services. In hotel projects, investors in Turkey usually consult to the Project Management company after procuring the land and then deciding the concept. For hotel projects and other investments, the consultant must get involved starting from the first stage of the project.

As ENTEGRE Project Management; in the decision stage of the investor,we help investors make better decisionsby providing service such as technical evaluation, approximate cost calculation and draft budget study, Design Review. Following the investment decision, we serve as a technical partner of the investor from project design and implementation to final acceptance.

• What are the benefits of working with a consulting firm to hotel projects and investors?

It is very important for the investor to work with a consulting firm in the decision-making process and during the evaluation of the investment. Project management team; consists of experts and ensures that the work is delivered in an acceptable quality within the budget and time required by the investor and takes responsibility against it. One of the main functions of project management is that the technical quality of the work is accountable. Especially in hotel investments and projects which have many specific items, getting support from an experienced company will provide a significant added value.

Considering the savings in the investment process and operational expenses, it is stated that savings of at least 10 percent from the budget of the projects that receive consultancy services are provided, which is also seen by our experience.

• When considering domestic and foreign projects, what kind of projects do you receive demand from?

Generally, foreign investors and international hotel chains prefer such consultations. In this period, as the investments of domestic investors are predominant, they generally receive support in field of supervision, cost control and manufacturing follow-up.

• Are there any differences in the hotel investments in terms of the decisions taken by domestic and foreign investors for the operation of the project? If so, what are they?

Yes, there are differences at some points. Domestic investors, especially if they are investing in an individual hotel, have no design and construction guidelines, design criteria and so on. During the design and even during the construction, this can lead to many changes regarding materials used, predefined design and even reduce the project quality.

• What are your recommendations to hotel investors who have made or will make decision to invest?

The investor reduces the role of the main contractor through the project management firm and has the project management company make all stages of construction such as excavation, shoring, reinforced concrete, fine works, electromechanical, special systems by dividing work into the packages. Thus, it distributes the risk and reduces the investment cost. In this context, the investor should make sure to work with a consultancy firm before or after making an investment decision.

• How to approach to receive consulting services in Turkey when we compare with other countries?

Project management and consultancy process develops according to the wishes and expectations of investor organizations. Investment consultancy services are mostly demanded by foreign investors and institutionalized firms in comparison to domestic investors. But, as our country becomes aware of the advantages that consulting services provide to the investor, this awareness increases. Consulting costs in construction investment in Turkey is changing around about 1% to 3% of the investment cost. Considering the irreversible mistakes and their consequences related to the projects, this ratio is quite low and reasonable.

• Should consulting services become a legal obligation in investments? Are there arrangements in this direction?

If we look at our scope of service, rather than legal obligation; even the legislation of project management does not exist in the world except Germany. Project management awareness is in the development process in our country. The core of every business is expertise. This expertise is achieved through time and experience. The reason why this business is more common abroad is that investors want to distribute their risks by working with specialist firms.

Regarding the obligation of consultant, there are such developments especially in the Real Estate Sector in the current period.

In our country, for a period of at least 20 years, although Building Inspection is mandatory, these companies are mainly responsible for the safety and quality of the structural system of the building. It also controls the TSE Quality certificates of the materials used. However, although this is not entirely sufficient, project management and / or consultancy is abstained and seen as a burden by investors.

For this issue to develop in our country, Project Management companies need to be strengthened, to work with experienced and expert staff, to have developed modern systems and procedures, and to have the capacity to carry the design, quality and duration risks and manage the financial risks of the investor.

Nilay Canbay Öztürk, Turizm & Yatırım Magazine, July 2019