Comments for Oh, By The Way...

Comment on The Competitive Advantage Nobody Needs – Round II by The Competitive Advantage Nobody Needs – Round III « Oh, By The Way…

The Competitive Advantage Nobody Needs – Round III « Oh, By The Way… — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:27 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

Comment on Who And What Is BIM For? by Bud Nordman

Bud Nordman — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:01:06 +0000

Also as an estimator, I want a read only BIM set of plans with preset views that match the bid set of 2D. That way I can quickly zoom to see what other bidders see with the printed and PDF sets. I also want a BIM viewer that I can manipulate the plans to different views and elevations, to scale, that are not included in the 2D set and export a PDF of that view to use with my quantity takeoff software. So many elevations are not included in the bid set of plans and many have hidden areas that are impossible to measure and quantify.

Comment on What Does That Mean? by Gene Callahan

Gene Callahan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:30:49 +0000

So true. If you don’t fully understand a term in a legal document, which requires your signature, and interpret it based on your impression, you and your money will soon be parted!

Comment on What Do The Most Successful Projects Have? by Liz O'Sullivan

Liz O'Sullivan — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:11:03 +0000

An excellent way for team members to learn about their own responsibilities and the relationships between the parties is to take the CDT exam. CSI (the Construction Specifications Institute) administers the CDT exam (Construction Documents Technologist exam).

When I took the exam, I was already a licensed architect with several years of Construction Contract Administration experience, but there were a number of things I didn’t fully grasp about the construction process. Studying for the exam filled in the gaps in my experience.

I recommend it for everyone involved in construction. For more info, check out http://csinet.org/Main-Menu-Category/Certification/CDT.aspx . Early registration for the spring exam is February 2, 2012.

Comment on The Competitive Advantage Nobody Needs by Bud Nordman

Bud Nordman — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:02:26 +0000

As a past estimator for residential land developers, I have heard many contractors say, “that’s not the way we do it”, when reviewing specs. They were bidding at their best profit level, not what was specified. With tough times, many of these ‘residential’ contractors are bidding small commercial projects and expect to bid the same way.

Comment on Nice Guys Getting Burned? by Kirk Benefiel

Kirk Benefiel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:17:16 +0000

I have been using a hand shake or verbal agreement for 26 years and hardly ever use a signed agreement unless the customer wants one. I am fairly certain a verbal agreement is still binding.

Comment on New Technology by Bud Nordman

Bud Nordman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:01:37 +0000

Digitizers. Unless I’m already too late and they are gone already. Are they used less than scales?

Comment on Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation – How to Get Results by richard

richard — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:56:45 +0000

You are so right about the “legal maneuvering during the process of settling a claim or dispute can sometimes be comical or farcical.” Sometimes lawyers act like children trying to come up with outlandish arguments in an attempt to sway their parents judgement.

Comment on When will it ever end? by Ryan private money

Ryan private money — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:25:00 +0000

I second you that private money is short but you can definitely find it. Even in this economic crisis, there are lots of opportunities in real estate. Plunging of the home prices depicts that you can buy them with the help of private money at cheaper rates and can resell it after doing some repairs at good profits.

Comment on An Estimator’s Work Week by Gabriel

Gabriel — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:42:05 +0000

There is a rush that comes with the deadline. If you have everything set up and have a good system in place.

And there is always this very important subcontractor that need to turn in a price at the last minute, just add some drama.

That’s why we cant leave this business.

And the end result, getting that win really puts a capper on it… when you lose; pack up the mess into the folder and start on the next one.

Another thing, every job is really different.

I tell you, this is the most exiting job ever.