This installment on “Great Building Projects” will focus on the General Contractor. As a general contractor for more than 30 years, I have a fair amount of experience on this topic.

There are at least three things a contractor must do to build great projects: be timely, be able to proactively identify roadblocks, and be open to input from the client and architect.

In last week’s blog, I discussed how clients contribute to building a great project. This week, we’ll look at the Architect/Engineer.

Architects have one of the most difficult tasks on the construction team. Working with the client, they create the project vision. But they must depend on the contractor to build their vision. What makes for a great project is the handoff of responsibility between the architect and the contractor.

I’ll devote the next few blogs in our “Great Building Projects” series to describing how team members can ensure they are doing their part to create a great building project. Let’s start with the team member who gets the ball rolling: the client.

It’s a truism that service providers such as architects, engineers and contractors do well by listening to their clients. But it’s also true that clients who want to build a great project should listen to their team members.

This installment on “Great Building Projects” will focus on communication between building team members. Again, I am limiting the building team to be the Client, Architect/Engineer and General Contractor, because these three are usually linked together by contracts.

Two years ago, we completed the Gathering Hall for the Trinity Episcopal Church in Los Alamos. It was a great building project. What made it great?

During the pre-construction meeting, the client established the chain of communication. That chain of communications was followed throughout the project.

This installment on “Building Great Projects” will focus on the team. I am limiting the building team to the Client, Architect/Engineer and General Contractor. Why just these three? Usually, they are linked together by their contracts. The building team is committed to the successful completion of the project.

Over the years, our firm has constructed many one-of-a-kind, “first-in-New Mexico” and “first-in-North America” projects. I have worked on two “world class” projects.

But not everyone needs a world-class building to have a great project. Your new office building, warehouse, medical building, or industrial facility can also be a great project. In this blog series, I’ll describe how to have a great project, no matter what you’re building.

A great building starts with a great design. And a great building is safe.

In today’s economy, it’s understandable for construction clients to worry: “If my contractor goes out of business, who will warranty my project?” They don’t want to get stuck with repairs if anything goes wrong.
 
But there’s good news to address this concern.

Most contractor agreements include a performance bond. If so, the company issuing the performance bond will guarantee the warranty items.

In my last post, I mentioned my participation in a State of New Mexico Legislative committee oversight taskforce, and explained why I oppose state-mandated subcontractor bonding requirements. Today, I’ll explain why I oppose the second subject that the taskforce addressed: construction procurement rules known as “performance-based contracting.”

My local chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors asked for volunteers to participate in a State of New Mexico Legislative committee oversight taskforce on improving best value construction procurement rules and for improving subcontractor bonding rules. I am familiar with both and I have a strong opinion about both. Today I will address only the subcontractor bonding requirements.

Last week, we provided a quotation on structural repairs for a tribal housing authority. Yesterday, I spoke with the procurement manager. I wanted an update on the project status and offered my assistance on that project or other projects they might have.

I was taken up on my offer. He asked if we perform building removal or could recommend a company that does. I was tempted to respond, “We can do that for you.” But demolition is not our expertise. I declined, and recommended Coronado Wrecking.