A few years ago, I had a conversation with the former CEO of a large international construction company. We talked about a lot of things that day, but one topic that stuck with me is failure’s role in success. When hiring an executive for his company, he often looked for someone who had lost at least …
As we continue to densify, sound control can be a huge challenge. This goes for all types of existing and new construction, and for all types of occupancies. Just like water, sound will infiltrate where one least expects it. In a recent project, we installed a specialized noise control system to completely separate the framing from the …
We are midstream in the renovation of a Gulf Coast project, and one of the exterior skin clad products we are using there is Nichiha, a fiber cement siding. EIFS seemed to be the king of the hill for many years, and they are also innovating with their products, but there are now several other …
“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds…” I would argue that postmen don’t have anything on construction superintendents. This week, I received an email from one of our project superintendents building a job with us in Kemah, TX, about 40 miles …
You have probably seen the PSAs on television, the ones that show a child sitting alone at lunch. Years ago, when my parents moved our family to a new city, there were times that I felt a little bit like that boy. While everyone was certainly nice to me, they all had their buddies of many years …
We were meeting with a customer last week in Cleveland and stayed downtown, something I enjoy in the cities where we travel. When I arrived at the hotel, we noticed a classic building across the street, clearly historic, but the signage read “Heinen’s Grocery Store.” Puzzling. When I walked in the former Cleveland Trust Company …
A few months ago, I attended a ULI-sponsored lunch where Anita Kramer, their SVP of Capital Markets and Real Estate, shared her thoughts on Emerging Trends in Real Estate. I was seated at her table, and as we talked, she shared that she believes there will be a shortage of unskilled and skilled workers in …
This week, I was in Denver participating in a peer group of other contractors from around the US–from Washington State to Pennsylvania. This was “an assembly of like, non-competing firms in an organized setting, exchanging private company information for mutual benefit.” As a construction company, I found these three takeaways we discussed most helpful and to …
I was at a lunch last week sponsored by an engineering firm, and unlucky me happen to sit with someone who works in business development. It was the same old conversation I’ve had with this person many times over. It starts with the standard “how’s business?” and “been playing any golf recently?” line of questioning, …
Starting with the EPA Clean Water Act that became law decades ago, it seems new environmental regulations are always coming down the pike. It’s a complex business, as not all of the states are consistent in their means and methods. To add another layer, the EPA is expected to update their general permit requirements again soon. …
Tis the season. There is lots going on this time of year. We are all (hopefully) taking time to share remembrances of the year ending, time to build or better relationships and a moment to be appreciative. About relationships: To me, people who build long lasting relationships don’t just think about others around the …
Last week, I spent about 15 hours of windshield time traveling through mid-Atlantic states visiting our projects. I made an effort to drive without music, leaving plenty of time for thought. One thing on my mind: If you were to leave this earth at 5 pm–not just any day, but TODAY–what would people say about you? …