Communications on a construction project are crucial in the success of a project. Just like good fences make good neighbors, good communications yields good results. Too many projects start with poor communications at the onset of the project. This is when the plans and specifications do not reliably represent the work to be performed. If [...]
Perhaps 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 have one, keeping it secret was one option. The thing is, cheating on the specified materials and workmanship is not a competitive advantage. [...]
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 [...]
I recently attended a breakfast educational meeting. It involved a panel discussion on construction. The panel members were an architect, contractor, subcontractor and an attorney. It focused on project delivery methods and some of the problems associated with the various types. The one common thread, for all of the problems discussed, was the lack of [...]
Recently we have been asked by contractors and subcontractors to help them budget projects. This is nothing new. What is new is that these budgets were being prepared about one month prior to bids being taken by each of the projects construction managers. I do not know if this is promoted by the Owners/Developers or [...]
It happens too much in the course of construction commerce. It is not limited to any one discipline or party in the entire project delivery process. Parties reach an agreement for the providing of certain services and/or goods along with the payment terms (i.e. a contract). Next thing you know the work is done and [...]
Business is tough enough without having to fight the current economic conditions. There are labor problems. There are material and equipment supply problems. There are dealings with contractors/subcontractors and vendors trying to get them to perform. Then there is the architect, engineer and owner that can be impossible to deal with. The “nice guys” seem [...]
One keeps hearing how operating in the construction industry has changed over the years. People will talk about how hand shake deals could be done and now there are formal contracts. People will talk how the quality of everything has declined over the years – from the bid documents to the final delivered facility. But [...]
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) extensively revised the MasterFormat system of specification for the 2004 edition. This revision replaced the 1995 edition of 16 divisions with 50 or so divisions. The “new & improved” 50 division system is or was to greatly enhance the dissemination of information projects. While the issuer is touting the widespread [...]
On more than one project we have encountered owners that for some reason or another, don’t believe they have any obligations to the contractors. That is an attitude that I find hard to understand. After all, it is in their best interest to see the project delivered in as smooth as manner as possible. Smooth [...]
