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01Jun

Tri-Bay Takes Pride in Going the Extra Mile

Author TBC Categories Pre-Construction, Tri-Bay Benefits
Is doing the right thing the same as going the extra mile? Many construction companies pride themselves on “doing the right thing” during construction. Tri-Bay Construction will go the extra mile from beginning to end. We take experiences from previous projects where we’ve worked with suppliers and subcontractors and evaluate for continuous ongoing improvement.
We take into account all the pieces that go into a project, such as:
  • Evaluating where scheduling can be improved upon
  • Clarifying ambiguities on plans and other documents (i.e., surveys)
  • Assessing the effects construction may have on neighboring businesses or residences
  • Best practices to effectively create a collaborative environment inclusive of Owners, tenants, landlords, subcontractors, and designers. And considering the relationships with local officials before getting to the construction phase of a project.
Cleaning up after a specific operation is the standard operating procedure for most construction companies. Enhanced preparation before the project to minimize clean-up and operate more efficiently and safely is what we do.
This small amount of extra time beforehand results in a better, more efficient operation, less chance for collateral damage, and most importantly, a safer work environment. Best of all, it reduces costs in the long run by eliminating repairs and doing things a second and third time.

When you demand this type of preparation and efficiency, subcontractors want to work on our projects and leave owners knowing without question that we value them and their project. This approach results in a more collaborative and cohesive team effort on every project we do.

There is typically a warranty period of one year following the completion of your project.
The seemingly minor extra efforts, inclusiveness of field workers in daily operations and decisions, and collaborative teamwork between all trades set us apart from many typical construction companies.
You should be asking questions like:
  • Where does your construction company go after one year?
  • Can you call on them to solve problems that arise after the warranty expires?
  • Have they provided you with a maintenance schedule for your new building or the equipment you now own?
  • Do they show you how it operates or provide you with an instruction manual?
  • Will they help you find solutions or tell you how much it will cost to involve them in a solution?
By focusing on details from the start (pre-construction), changes become less frequent and less costly. Identifying challenges or gaps early on can make a project smoother in the construction process.
Getting it right the first time saves time and money for all involved. One glitch or hiccup has a trickle-down effect that can quickly snowball into significant delays.

Transparency between all parties allows for last-minute adjustments that have a less negligible impact on the overall project. There cannot be any “islands” on a construction project. Every component will affect other parts of the project.

Tri-Bay Construction goes the extra mile for Owners, designers, and subcontractors alike. That is why we have repeat clients, referrals from satisfied owners and designers, and subcontractors who want to work with us. The extra mile we take in our work results in a victory for all.
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01Jun

Construction Pre-planning is Vital for Success

Author TBC Categories Pre-Construction, Solid Advice, Tri-Bay Benefits
Last month we discussed the qualities to look for in a Contractor. This month we will explore some of the pre-planning you can do before you even get to permitting and construction. Whether you are about to lease a space for an existing/new business or purchasing land to construct a new building, there are many things you should do in advance.

Do not rely solely on the “experts” or assume that these upfront items have been taken care of before the project launch. Keep the old adage in mind that “failing to plan is a plan to fail.” This saying especially rings true in the construction industry. Any gaps can become a costly delay.

Define the scope with a contractor, including how you want the space or the building to perform. The result will always turn out better than if you hand a contractor a set of plans and say, “Can you build this?”; How fast? How much? Defining the scope and performance often will change the cost for the better.

Walking through this pre-construction process with a Contractor is equal to interviewing to find the right fit. You should identify the level of risk the project may have, such as delay points, permitting procedures, and design decisions that will affect the overall budget, material specifications, and more. Walking through this process can determine whether the project is viable at all.
To follow are some of the crucial elements that make up a successful project:
  • Clearly define goals and deadlines for the Owner and Design & Construction Teams: Set realistic cost projections, confirm scheduling, and establish clear communication lines early to prevent misunderstandings.
  • Collaborative scheduling: This critical step requires all team members to create a realistic schedule for the project, from design to project turnover.
  • Sustainable Building: Know the benchmarks that make a building or a space considered “Green.” Having a clear understanding of the costs associated with green building methods and materials will eliminate surprises during construction and may even alter the performance goals before the project begins.
  • Permitting and Jurisdictional idiosyncrasies can often delay the review process: Understanding the local codes and ordinances by meeting with jurisdictional officials before the submittal process may shave valuable days from the overall schedule. Otherwise, poor communication can derail a plan before it gets started. Gaining clear direction helps alleviate items easily overlooked if unfamiliar with the project’s jurisdiction location.
  • Accurate budgeting and expense tracking plan: The team can accomplish this with the early selection of finish materials, so costs are known before construction begins—brainstorm to uncover the hidden fees that are bound to arise and can often be budget busters.
There are many more components that makeup Pre—Construction Services and Planning. We will continue to discuss the benefits of Pre-Construction planning and will then follow that with the types of Project Delivery available and their pros and cons.

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29Apr

The Importance of a Cohesive Subcontractor Base

Author TBC Categories Tri-Bay Benefits
In today’s construction industry, a contract is often awarded based on the lowest cost submitted, not taking any crucial variables and pieces into account.

Not only does this process continue to cost owners more in the long run, but they are also frustrated throughout the project (often right from the beginning), and the relationship between you and the General Contractor becomes adversarial with conflict through the end of the project.

Often, the contractor has never worked with the lowest bidders in each trade, making it difficult to be productive and provide quality work.

Often, a project is “sent out to bid” by an Owner, Architect, or Construction Manager to multiple General Contractors who, in turn, solicit bids from subcontractors with the skills required to perform the job correctly.

The result is often an amalgam of quotes that often bear no relationship to each other and have made zero connection with the other trades.

It is almost impossible to know if you are comparing apples to apples. This results in:
  • multiple change orders,
  • conflicts with the GC and the other trades,
  • unnecessary delays,
  • and bad feelings beyond repair.
Every subcontractor’s work affects the next subcontractor’s work from the project launch through completion.

We have long-term relationships with the major subcontractors required for every project. The result for you, the Owner, is a cohesive, communicative team of people who have worked together numerous times. They have successfully collaborated because they are aware of the benefits and have the common goal of getting your project done right. “Being on the job first” does not make for the best sequencing of a productive, efficient schedule that produces quality work.

Our subcontractors know what to expect from our Superintendents, they know what to expect from one another, and we know what we are getting when we contract with them, giving you, the owner, the best value for your dollar.

The above is especially important in our current labor market, which is short on skilled tradespeople. Knowing you have experienced skilled tradespeople on your project who have worked with your GC on multiple projects will give you peace of mind and a feeling of confidence.
This benefit makes it well worth the few extra dollars it may have cost you at the project’s conception.
The lowest cost before construction will most likely cost more than the highest cost by the end of the project.
We value and depend upon our long-term relationships with subcontractors, and they feel the same. You can rely on that fact for a smoother, less frustrating, and better-quality project. We will continue our discussion of a solid subcontracting base, its benefits to you, and the importance of pre-construction service.
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29Apr

How to Vet Potential Contractors

Author TBC Categories Tri-Bay Benefits
It is time to continue our discussion on “What to look for in a Contractor when planning a new project.”

A good contractor is properly insured.

Now that you have established that your contractor has an active Certified State of Florida issued License and no public complaints, does your contractor also have General Liability and Worker’s Compensation insurance? No matter the size of the project or of their company, any contractor or subcontractor that works on your project should have Worker’s Compensation insurance. While “exemptions” are allowed in certain circumstances, it is never a good idea to allow someone to work on your project without this very crucial insurance. If that person is injured on your project, you can be sued. Just the thought of a potential legal battle and/or an injured worker who can no longer earn a living is a good reason to make sure all contractors and subcontractors on your project carry worker’s compensation insurance.

Is it easy to understand your contractor?

Is he/she communicating all of the processes clearly? After your initial consultation, do you know the next steps for both you and the contractor? And, when should each happen? IS your contractor using “construction-speak” or terms you understand? Make sure it’s the latter.

Knowledge of the entire process.

Does your potential contractor explain the entire process to you, including potential costs from site selection, zoning, design, permitting, construction, occupancy, and maintenance of your newly renovated or new building?

A full-service, knowledgeable, and customer service-oriented contractor will explain all of the above based on their experience, combined with the information you provide, in a language you can clearly understand. It is important to the entire Tri-Bay team to ensure you are never in the dark about what to expect.

Do they have the required experience?

There are a multitude of Construction types defined by the Florida Building Code. Each building is unique. Does your contractor have experience in the type of construction you are asking for? For instance, if your contractor has never worked on a radiology facility, do you want them to learn or “practice” on your facility with your multi-million-dollar equipment? Make sure the contractor is asking about your vision and how you need the building to perform.

We will continue to explore “What questions to ask” in future issues. We will also familiarize you with the many steps required for a successful construction project before one gets to the project’s actual construction phase, including the different types of contracts available to you.
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29Mar

The Tri-Bay Difference

Author TBC Categories Tri-Bay Benefits
There is a multitude of General Contractors out there, and the Construction Industry is highly competitive. How do you know if you have chosen the right one? Are you comparing apples to apples when reviewing proposals?
How do you know what is included in your potential contract if the proposal is scarce on details? If the “right one” for you is the lowest cost proposal you receive, you may find that the lowest cost comes with a plethora of issues that are the stress and frustration creators in any construction project.

The Tri-Bay Construction difference comes first with the transparency of items you will be required to do based on your current plans if you have plans. We will review your plans and provide a cost proposal to include any additional items required by Building Codes or further particulars based on our extensive building experience.

Our detailed proposals leave no stone unturned for you, the client.

The last thing you want to do is start the project with a costly change order because that item was not specifically itemized on your plans, and yet, is required. Once the project is launched, there are no hidden or latent add-ons. Unless you request a change or an unknown condition arises, we will not initiate change orders. We stand by the cost proposal we provided to you, and if we left something out that is needed, we will take responsibility and you will not pay for our omission or error.

Many business owners decide on a contractor based on price alone. A decision like this is usually costlier in the long run versus considering all other factors in that decision-making process.
In future issues, we will discuss the many pre-construction services we offer to make your project headache-free, the importance of a cohesive subcontractor base, and the Supervision and Management of a project required for all involved.
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