My recent blog on The Competitive Advantage Nobody Needs generated some interesting responses on ENR.com. There were some very insightful comments, even from the one responder that thinks everybody is a crook in the construction industry.
Bidders that short circuit the specifications are taking something of value from the owner of the project. In the development of the specifications the owner has set forth their expected level of quality with regards to the materials and workmanship. If they want Product X meeting Specification Y that is their decision.
If contractors desire to have a substitute product considered, there is a mechanism to get it done. However too short bid periods, pride of authorship and other factors tend defeat this mechanism. If this happens the contractors still need to bid to meet the specifications.
After the bid, the contractor can then re-approach the designer and owner about the substitution. This process could involve a savings to the owner in time and/or money. The owner and architect or engineer need to possess an open mind and have the knowledge to properly evaluate this option in any case.
Oh, By the Way… The successful, long term contractors that make money on construction are the innovative contractors. They innovate on production and other areas to succeed.
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[...] the title on this one should be the Competitive Advantage Everyone Needs. In the previous blogs on this subject the responders mentioned innovation and better ideas by the contractors. If they [...]