The Contractor's Corner - Keeping The Playing Field Even
By Paul Lawson, President
Houston Chapter, Associated General Contractors
When it comes to the public hard-bid arena, weÕre all too familiar with the countless hurdles weÕre forced to overcome. But perhaps the greatest obstacle is the one we create for ourselves.
For years, the public bid arena has been filled with a mentality of "that's my turf." The owner is afraid the project will not be completed on time or at the expected quality level. The design team is concerned the owner and low-bid contractors will produce a shoddy project while the doubting contractor wonders if there is even a profit level involved.
Obviously, it's time for a different approach. Instead of creating adversarial relationships, all of the parties should work to help one another achieve their goals. Most often, this boils down to open communication among all of the participants. Afterall, no one likes surprises.
There are other ways we can change attitudes in the public-bid arena. Owners need to understand a positive, productive atmosphere ultimately will produce a better product. Finally, everyone involved must accept the realities of change in the design and construction marketplace.
What's the bottom line? If we fail to create a positive atmosphere on a public project, quality sub-contractors will choose to work exclusively on private-sector projects. At that point, architects and general contractors can say farewell to quality and profits in public jobs.
Owners, architects and contractors can prosper in the public bid arena and still keep the playing field even. It takes work and it takes open communications -- but it can happen.
Paul Lawson is President of Pepper-Lawson Construction, Inc.
Call for Entries
The 1997 Wood Design Award Program invites entries for wood projects completed since January 1994 in two categories: wood structures and interior architectural woodwork. The program recognizes design excellence and innovative wood use in residential and nonresidential building and architectural interiors, either new or remodeled. The submission deadline has been extended to October 17. Contact Judy Durham at the Architectural Woodwork Institute (703/733-0600) for entry materials.
CTE Houston Set for February
Save February 17, 1998 on your calendar! CTE Houston is pleased to announce the second annual Construction Technology Expo to be held at Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center. AIA members can earn as many as 13 Learning units in this local one-day conference designed to benefit the entire Design and Construction industry with a full day of seminars and over one hundred twenty exhibit booths displaying the latest products and services brought to you by the local chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Associated General Contractors (AGC), Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) and Drywall & Interiors Systems Contractors Association (DISCA). The Expo also provides the opportunity to network with other organizations in the industry with the involvement of IFMA, BOMA, ASID, SMPS, SDA and others. Last year over 400 professionals attended.
We still have openings for speakers!
What are the Topics?
- Project Management/Training
- Design/Construction Industry related computer software applications
- Construction Design and Detailing
- Building performance
- Small project applications and issues
- Any Design/Construction Industry Hot Issues
Submissions to be directed to Cynthia Walston, AIA
Mail to CTE '98 · P.O. Box 692488 · Houston, TX 77269-2488
Fax to (713) 621-2178
E-mail to
Announcements
Tellepsen, headquartered in Houston, has begun construction of a 64,800 sf Assisted Living Facility for Tennessee-based American Retirement Corporation. Completion is scheduled for April 1998.
Kevin Kendall has joined Advanced Strategies Group (ASG) as a Project Manager.
Michael J. O'Grady has been named Houston managing principal and corporate assistant vice president of Law Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
Hines, a Houston-based full service international real estate firm, has been selected to oversee the development of Gannett Co.'s corporate headquarters facility in McLean, Virginia. The architectural firm of Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, PC of New York is the design architect and Leshman Smith Wiseman & Associates of Washington, D.C. will serve as interior architect.
