When getting multiple quotes on construction projects, most are drawn to the lowest price. The assumption being made is that all the companies that are providing these quotes will provide the same level of quality, customer service, project management/supervision and communication. While it’s easy to be fixated on the lowest quote, we can easily overlook what may be left out when choosing the lowest price.

Quotes are usually based off of the level of information that is provided for the job. This information could be drawings, existing conditions, communication with the owner, site conditions and specific products desired for the project itself. When receiving the quote, paying attention to how the details are presented is key to knowing who you want to build your project. Look for a quote that is well organized and broken down, has a scope of work included or sketches with details shown. A meeting with each contractor to discuss their project quote is essential. While this isn’t a sure guarantee of a quality project, it can help reduce the chances of a poor one. When wondering if you are spending enough on your construction project, consider the following:

Quality of craftsmanship

A company with trustworthy, skilled and knowledgeable craftsman helps make a project happen smoother and correctly from the beginning of the project through the end. Sometimes, when choosing the extremely low quote, you may end up with corners being cut or poor workmanship that will come back to haunt you. Spending the extra money upfront can help ensure you’ll receive quality craftsmanship from start to finish.

Specifics with materials used

Like with anything else, the quality of the products being installed plays a crucial role in the overall durability and lifespan of the building. Two products can look the same but may have very different life spans and cost. This difference can be due to variations in the thickness of a wearing surface, the type and durability of the finish being used or a better warranty. Having the exact quantities of materials and other elements of the project detailed in a scope of work shows that the estimator knows and understands your project. For example, instead of a quote that calls for a concrete footer, look for the one that has 200 LF of 12” thick 3000 # concrete footer 3’ wide. These small details help ensure that your spending your money wisely and you get what you want the first time.

Timeliness of overall project

A proposed timeline provides specific goals and dates for work to be completed. This helps the client and the contractor stay on the same page and know how to plan accordingly. Having the timeline planned also helps to know the amount of work required by all parties, and the payment terms. If a solid plan isn’t established, the amount of labor could potentially become a financial burden. Having the timeline is a proactive measure to ensure unknowns are cut to a minimum.

When it comes to choosing the best contractor and quote for your project, there’s a lot to take into consideration. From the experience and reputation of the company, timeliness of the quote, the communication and much more. Being knowledgeable about what to look for in your quote is important. Spending enough money on your project helps ensure you are not spending a lot more in the future to fix what wasn’t done correctly the first time. At Associated Contractors we strive to seamlessly guide you through the process, leading you in the right direction for your next project.Contact one of our specialists today to get started.

Proper building maintenance is crucial to the success of your overall facility. Not only is the physical structure important for the overall operations of the company, but the structure is also a large financial investment that has the ability to provide comfort and functionality for years to come. Maintaining your building ensures that your facility remains a safe, healthy and clean place for your employees and business to thrive in.

Benefits of proper building maintenance.

Taking the time for proper building maintenance will keep your building safe, save you money and improve the overall longevity of the structure. Consider the following:

• Helps you save money. Having a scheduled plan for periodic maintenance is much cheaper than emergency maintenance. The periodic maintenance ensures that you are operating under safe conditions and avoiding potentially costly problems.
• Mitigates hazards. Proper maintenance helps ensure that potential hazards are limited. This leads to a much safer environment for everyone involved. And a much safer, sustainable future for the building.
• Improves overall experience. A properly maintained building provides a better impression to your customers of the type of business you run. It reflects caring management, professionalism and a sense of overall safety. It also gives your employees more pride in there place of employment and greater job satisfaction.

Regular inspections can take time and energy away from your business. At ACI, we are skilled at taking care of this for you. We work with you to schedule routine inspections and then perform the necessary precautions and/or projects to preserve the integrity of your facility.

Interior Concerns for Building Maintenance

Interior building maintenance concerns can stem from minute, cosmetic projects to substantial foundational projects.  Some examples of this are:

• Concrete floors & joints
• Machine foundations
• Noise and sound transmission
• Wall casing & base, corner guards and wall guards
• Cabinetry and countertops
• Drywall finishes and painting
• Acoustical ceilings
• Floor finishes

Exterior Concerns for Building Maintenance

The exterior concerns to consider when doing building maintenance can range from structural to weather damage prevention, such as:

• Steel doors, frames and hardware
• Vinyl and steel siding
• Gutters and downspouts
• Snow guards
• Concrete sidewalks, steps, ramps and curbs
• Catch basins and trench drains
• Asphalt parking lots
• Loading docks & equipment

Pride in the work that we do.

At Associated Contractors, we offer unprecedented overall building maintenance throughout the region. Over the years, we have established long-standing relationships with companies in the area. They trust us to look after and maintain their facilities so they can continue their day-to-day operations and do what they do best. We take pride in our lasting relationships and are always working to make sure their facilities are in tip top shape.

We stand by our word

Having a company you can trust will ensure that your worries about building maintenance are mitigated. We at ACI are committed to supporting your company’s long-lasting success. It’s the assurance that you need to know that we are going to follow through and stand by what we promised you from the beginning. To learn more about proper business maintenance and how we can help you, contact us today!

 

Across the board in the contractor industry, payment terms are usually pretty standard. Most contractors abide by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) standards. The AIA advocates for the value of architecture and gives contractors and architects the resources they need to do their best work. These standards are useful for all sizes of projects, but they make large projects must easier to manage and document. The AIA standards provide assistance to contractors and customers, alike, which helps everyone involved stay on the same page and understand all aspects of the contract and payment terms.

 

These standards provide a simple, organized manner to handle all projects and understand how the contractor is billing the customer. The standards break down all that goes into a project. From employing supervision, clean up, facilities for crew, equipment, and types of work. It provides transparency for the customer, which in turn builds trust and integrity.

While most contractors gladly follow the AIA guidelines, there are some who do not. When this happens, it can cause misunderstandings and leave customers feeling perplexed and frustrated.

Associated Contractors Follows AIA Standards

At Associated Contractors, we follow AIA guidelines to create a clear understanding for everyone involved. The payment terms are established at the beginning of the project, and we provide a complete breakdown of all items and services billed. This ensures that the customer knows exactly what we plan on doing and how we plan to bill for it. We bill the customer at the end of the month for the work that was completed, and they then have 25 days to pay.

Another factor to consider when learning about your payment terms, is most respectable contractors do not accept deposits for their jobs. Unfortunately, it happens, but it’s a bad practice for contractors to require a deposit up front and then never return or credit it back to the customer.

It’s common practice for larger projects to get billed at the end of each month. The contractor will bill for the work that they performed for that month. But, payment isn’t usually required for 20 to 30 days after. The work performed, materials used and other expenses that were needed for each month are kept track of throughout the duration of the project. That way, the customer can always look back at the documentation to know what exactly what they were paying.

Lastly, we have a retainage policy. At Associated Contractors, we strive to have our customers as satisfied and informed as possible. A retainage policy is in place to ensure the customer is happy and satisfied with the work and provides them with a means of leverage. According to levelset.com, it creates a financial incentive for the contractor to finish the project successfully; and it provides protection to other stakeholders in the event of any problems, such that the retained money can be used as an insulation for that risk. We provide a retainage of ten percent until 50 percent of the work is complete and then we drop it down to 5 percent.

We Can Help.

While there is a lot to consider when beginning a new project, working with a contractor that provides transparency is key. This will ensure you are aware and fully understand your payment terms and everything that is involved. If you’re  thinking about beginning a project and have questions, reach out to one of our specialists today. We’d be more than happy to answer questions and help you navigate through the process.

Expanding and renovating your business can be an exciting project. Whether your goal is to add more area or to spruce up your already established space, all of the work can be done while your business is operating. On top of your regular day-to-day operations, you have to be mindful of the safety and comfort of your employees and customers, communicating with them throughout the duration of the project, and essentially not allowing the renovation to get in the way of your success. Even though operating your company while renovating and/or expanding seems like an overwhelming task, it can be done. In order for the implementation to be handled smoothly by all involved, focus on thorough communication, extensive planning and all-inclusive safety.

Thorough Communication.

From start to finish, constant communication is key. Not only is the communication between the business owner and the contractor important, but also supplying all necessary information to employees is crucial to a successful completion of your renovation or expansion project. Communicating the intent and reasoning can mitigate guessing and concerns. According to Interior Architects, “Presenting plans, renderings, and sample boards to the broader staff to communicate the vision and intent of the renovations is a good way to get the news out and dispel concerns.” Making customers aware may also help with a smoother conversion.

Planning Ahead.

Thorough planning prior to beginning the construction work paves the way for a solid understanding for the business owner, the contractor and all workers involved. Working together to establish a plan and laying guidelines will alleviate uncomfortable and potentially unsafe situations. Devise a schedule that makes it possible for the construction to take place in less important areas during business hours and more central, heavy traffic areas after hours, if possible, or during less busy times of the day. This may not always be feasible, depending on the type of company you have, but doing your due diligence to plan accordingly is well worth the effort.

Focus on Safety.

Planning and communication assist with cultivating a safe and productive work environment for everyone involved. Provide documentation to customers so they are aware and can be mindful of what is happening. Additionally, ensure that your employees are aware of the hazards that come along with the renovation. Offer your employees proper personal protective equipment or alternative workspaces to alleviate a potentially unsafe and/or uncomfortable work environment. Construction usually brings with it equipment, tools and foreign objects to their regular working environment. Making them aware and encouraging them to be mindful can help diminish a hazardous environment.

To learn more about how to keep your company open during renovation, contact an expert at ACI today. We’ve experienced this with many clients, and can surely lead you on the path to success.

 

It’s that time of year when we are excited for the weather to break. The snow has melted and the temperature is climbing. It’s also a good time to inspect for damage that may have occurred during the winter months.

The wet, heavy snow and frigid winds create the perfect combination for structural and internal building damage. Although it may take some time and effort up front, locating damage that has occurred throughout the winter months will help you save in the long run. Understanding the types of damage that your building may experience can help you be aware and know what to look for during inspection.

Winter Damage Checklist

Locating minor problems up front can help with less time and money spent down the road. Use the following guidelines to assist with your inspection for winter damage:

Maintain a clear roof

Between rooftop equipment, debris accumulation, and general maintenance, winter weather adds another concern for business owners. If not dealt with in a timely manner, issues on the roof can generate issues within the whole building. Mitigate costly roof problems by:

• Maintaining a clear roof and gutters by regularly removing common debris like leaves and pine needles
• Removing snow as quickly as possible to allow the roof to dry and expose possible punctures
• Inspecting for damage caused by high winds and ice formation
• Taking note of roof-to-wall transitions to ensure no gaps and leakages occur
• If you are unsure of the health of your roof or how to maintain it, check out our Roof Systems Uncovered guide

Inspect exposed plumbing

Pipes tend to leak and/or burst due to water freezing up in the pipe causing pressure. Take note of the insulation surrounding the piping in your building. Insulation helps prevent the freezing temperatures from reaching the pipe.  

According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety , a burst pipe, which is one of the most common causes of property damage, can result in more than $5,000 in water damage. Alleviate potential extensive damage by:

• Inspecting plumbing for subtle leaks. Visually and physically inspect joints and seams
• Checking under sinks and listen for dripping or rushing water in hard-to-reach places
• Taking note of insulation and whether or not it needs replaced

Ensure properly working HVAC system

The frigid temperatures and gusty winds cause your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to work twice as hard. Excess snow and ice build up can cause your system to freeze and shut down. And melting snow can lead to leakage into the system allowing for corrosion and rust build-up. Lessen potential HVAC problems by:

• Checking for any physical damage, like cracks in the heating system
• Examining hoses and blowers for blockages
• Cleaning or replacing air filters to alleviate restricted airflow
• Taking note of unusual sounds and odors

With over 90 years of experience in the industry, there isn’t much that we haven’t seen. If you have any questions or need guidance contact an expert at ACI today.

 

Every industry carries a risk of workplace accidents, but construction sites can present dangers that have the potential to lead to serious injury, and in worst case scenarios even death. To help increase the awareness of some of the high-risk situations you might encounter, here are a few common construction site hazards and some suggestions on how to avoid them.

 

Falls from working at height

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatalities from work-related falls rose a startling 26 percent from 2011 until 2016. Most of these falls occurred within the construction industry. When proper fall precautions aren’t put into place, workers are left vulnerable.

Site protections such as swing gates and railings are a must while work is happening at certain heights. Make sure you are hooked to an anchor point and are wearing fall protection gear as an extra precaution. If there is a chance you might be working at heights, your employer should also ensure that you undergo training for the equipment, anchoring, and surfaces you will be working on.

Being struck by a moving object

Construction sites are full of equipment that is suspended from above as well as vehicles that have limited vision and are moving on uneven terrain. When on a job site, you are surrounded by things that could present a high risk of bodily harm if an impact is made, so you must be constantly cognizant of the area around you.

Wear personal protection equipment (PPE) that covers your face, eyes, and head and stands out, like a high visibility jacket. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and avoid positioning yourself in the path of moving or suspended objects. You can’t control whether or not your coworker is paying attention when operating large equipment, but you can make sure you aren’t in their path if they happen to get distracted and don’t see you.

Slips and trips

Moving around a construction space can be tricky, especially when materials, spills, and uneven terrains can significantly impair mobility. Sometimes cords are left around, wet weather can cause slippery floors, and before you know it your access routes are hazardous.

To avoid these slips and trips, make an effort to always keep your workspace decluttered. Throw garbage in assigned waste areas, make sure cords and cable are stored or at high levels during use. Designate walkways when surfaces are uneven, and always wear shoes with a solid grip.

Electrical exposure

From blocked breakers to misused extension cords, the risk of electrocution on a construction site is higher than most people think. Extension cords should be used sparingly and temporarily, and “daisy-chaining” cords (using multiple cords for a single device) is a major no-no.

In addition to the tripping hazard discussed above, inappropriate use of extension cords can draw too much electricity from circuits, which can cause overheated wires and potentially start a fire. Take care of your cords, wear PPE, and when in doubt, hold off on handling anything electrical until someone qualified to do so is able to come in and have a look.

To learn more about how to protect yourself and your work environment from hazards and injuries on a construction site,  contact an expert at ACI today.

 

The construction industry can be a dangerous one, with thousands of injuries- and even fatalities- every year. The good news is the majority of these are preventable, and prevention doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, some ways to stay safe are things we commonly overlook and don’t think about daily. Here are seven site safety tips that can help you and your crew stay safe on the job site:

What you put on matters

Safety starts with what you wear. Wearing the proper protective gear gives you a head start on safety matters. Make sure you are outfitted with the right goggles, gloves, back brace, safety harness, non-skid rubber footwear with composite toe protection, and a mask if needed for the work situation. Make sure to take care of that gear by ensuring it is dry and free of mud before use.

Use the right tools and use them right

Carrying tools properly is very important. Sometimes it’s easy to grab a tool by the cord or hose, but you want to make sure not to carry tools this way. If possible, use power tools that emit limited noise and vibration. Make sure to also use proper gear to protect your eyes and ears as well. Before using, check that tools are in good condition and make sure you know how to properly operate large and small equipment. Although sometimes it’s easy to forget, proper posture should be used while using tools to help prevent injury.

Going up? Use caution

Make use of foot and hand holds when entering equipment and machinery, and be sure you have a solid grip. Use a step ladder when possible. Inspect ladders and keep them clean and dry and make sure they are three to four feet higher than the area you need to reach. If you have the option of using lifts and elevated platforms, be sure to use those instead. Make sure scaffolding is on a solid surface and has the correct weight capacity needed. Carefully place your feet and hands, and do not carry items while climbing. Try to keep the weather in mind, and always stay 10 feet away from power lines.

 What goes up must come down

Although it may be easy to jump or hop out of equipment, you want to exit with care to help prevent injury. If working low in trenches, ensure they are protected. If they are deeper than four feet, they must have protective sloping or shoring. When working on a slope, problems can occur when machinery has to come back down, so know the limits of the equipment.

Stay educated

No matter how long someone has operated equipment, it never hurts to stay up-to-speed on equipment manuals and procedures. Make sure operators are properly trained and that the training is verifiable and identified on the machinery.

Be clearly safe

Clutter can mean danger, so keep areas tidy and work areas clear. That goes for people, too. Construction sites are notorious for people gathering to watch a large machine at work. You don’t want to be that site that causes people to ask, “How many people does it take to move a pile of dirt?” With that being said, when operating large equipment make sure to use the horn and back up alarms to get people’s attention and ensure that the area is clear, especially before backing up.   

Safety is never out of date

The old adage of “safety first”, never goes out of style. No matter how experienced a crew is, complacency is the enemy. When operating a large machine, remember to buckle up every time. Take your time when on the job. Be aware of your surroundings and follow procedures. Taking shortcuts is the quickest way to becoming a statistic.

Even though construction sites can be dangerous, these 7 ways are just some of the many steps you and your crew can take to ensure safety while on the job site. Questions about these tips or what we do at ACI? We would love to hear from you! Contact George Ray at Associated Contractors, Inc. today.