Perhaps one of the most compelling ways for a contractor to create peace of mind for the owner, and to differentiate themselves from the competition, is to offer them transparency and communication which is guaranteed to be timely, accurate and compelling. Contractors who offer construction camera systems are offering the owner additional service. By demonstrating this level of transparency, efficiency and accountability those contractors have one more way to connect with owners needs which helps to build relationships and win work.

The president of an Atlanta construction company, explains how construction cameras translate to real dollars for them: “Our firm has been using construction cameras to monitor progress on all of our jobsites. In order to keep everyone in the office up to date on each site, we setup monitors to display live images from each project. It’s paid for itself several times over”, says Atlanta construction company president. “A new client who was expanding operations in the southeast interviewed us as part of the bid process. When they awarded us the contract they explained that it was the demonstration of proactive management through the use of live images which was key in their decision.”

Why Implement a Construction Camera:

The old adage that everyone expects more for less rings loud in today’s construction marketplace. Owners who put their projects out to bid are expecting lower prices, higher quality and better service from the contractors that try to compete for their business. One more way to separate yourself from the pack is to proactively include a construction camera service in your bid in order to:

- Keep all team-members up to date on project progress

- Confirm jobsite activities against other reporting methods

- Review daily progress against schedules

- Monitor jobsite weather conditions

- Document as-built conditions

Need for Reliability:

Any system is only as good as the weakest link. For too many corporate purchases, the weakest link can be the initial implementation, or lack thereof. By selecting an easy turnkey solution, you will have a hassle free implementation and carefree maintenance experience.

There are four key parts to a full construction camera system. The camera hardware at the jobsite, the internet connection, the servers where the images are stored and the software. A failure with anyone of these parts creates a failure of the entire system and construction sites are not the friendliest places for electronics. By using a full service construction camera provider you maximize the client’s experience and ensure success while avoiding the problems associated with running the system in house or using security equipment which only has an image quality adequate for a small area.

Once you’ve chosen a full service provider, power is another issue to consider when it comes to reliability. For camera locations without easy access to power, or in urban areas with utility coordination headaches, a well designed solar power stations can ensure reliability and ease of setup. Additionally, implementing solar construction cameras qualifies you for the 30% solar energy tax credits at the federal level as well as other state and local tax credits where available.

Summary:
As you work on your next bid, or break ground on your next project, consider offering the owner construction cameras as part of the package. It’s an opportunity to gain additional efficiency and show everyone what goes into delivering the type of service and quality your firm offers. As a marketing tool it can be a great differentiator so do your research. Review examples of live construction cameras online. Find a reputable provider who offers a turnkey solution and guarantees their service. Then put the peace of mind that a good construction camera experience provides to work for you.

Source

These contractors have created very close relationships with their suppliers, client’s, contractors and specialist sub-contractors to create a “family.” They all have a lot of trust in each other and support each other. Where a part of the “family” does not perform as required it is regarded as a great disgrace on them. Emphasis is placed on training and gaining skills in Japan. The company employs new graduates and trains them in their methods so that they can join their “family”. This often leads to a job for life. All staff in the company are encouraged to voice their opinions and suggest ways to improve their work practices. As was seen in America, Japanese buildings lack the flair and originality seen in the UK industry.

The Japanese client will firstly choose their contractor. The design team of the contractor will do most of the design work. These design teams consider every aspect of the project to ensure maximum efficiency and safety. Designs are based on standard specifications and components that are published in the Japan Architecture Standard Specification. As with America, specialist contractors, who are trusted by the contractor, are allocated appropriate tasks. Total integration of the processes is included from the design stage. Any possibly dangerous activities or areas are identified at the start, which allows them to be monitored. This creates a much safer site.

The work day in Japan starts at 8.00am, with exercise and a ten minute briefing of the tasks for the day. There are then meetings between each individual team to discuss their activities in detail. A chalk or white board is used to record the agreed tasks, which is regarded as a personal contract for the day. Workers will ensure that, where practicably possible, these tasks are completed before they leave the site for the day. In the United Kingdom this rarely happens as workers like to leave at their set time.

Work on sites in Japan is allocated in two week packages. These packages have an element of float built in which allows for each unit of work to be completed on time. Contractors are worried about “losing face” and so will employ extra labour if the project starts to fall behind its schedule. At 3.00pm employees are called back to the board to discuss the day’s work. Any improvement to work methods is recorded for everyone to use the next day. Tasks for tomorrow are then put up on the board ready for the 8.00am meeting the following day.

In Japan excellence is achieved through quality, and therefore contractors strive to provide the highest quality for their client. Contractors invest highly in research, $50million in 1990, in the search for quality. They work with the belief that it is more cost effective to get it right the first time. They also have high expectations for their time and cost estimating. They conduct so much planning, together with their relationship with suppliers that their projects mostly complete on time and at the estimated cost. Often the case is that a sub-contractor is told how much he will be paid, which they accept as it is seen as being work offered to them by their “family”.

In Japan there is almost no competitive tendering process. This along with low inflation means that cost control is not really required. As the parties involved are knowledgeable of the building costs, accepted rates are applied to projects. The price of a major project is negotiated between the client and the main contractor, and if problems arise in the project that the contractor rectifies at no extra cost the client often pays them extra on their next mutual project. Payment for the project is made as each major stage is completed, but it is delayed by a set period of time.

The project management industry in Japan needs to become more creative with its designs. As they strive for quality and conduct a lot of research their construction costs are 20% higher than in the United Kingdom.

Source

It has greater long-term durability, increased insulating properties and greater sustainability on top of the benefits of other concretes. This technology is the first advancement in precast concrete in over 50 years. These precast panels can weigh up to 66% less than the normal precast.

Advantages of using Carbon Cast Concrete panels

· Energy efficient
· They are light weight as a lot of the concrete mass in traditional precast panels is not needed
· The panels are dry and mould free
· Superior compared to ordinary precast concrete panels at load bearing
· Non-combustible
· The panels are quickly erected as they are light
· The heating costs in the finished structure are reduced due to the insulation used in the panels
· Carbon fibre will not corrode

The development Habitat for Humanity in New York City was constructed using Carbon Cast concrete panels. The houses could be erected very quickly as the panels are very light and much smaller machinery could be used to manoeuvre them into place. This meant that the project could be completed in a short space of time and families had homes a lot earlier than they would have had otherwise. Carbon Cast panels will last longer than the usual framed structures that are used. Carbon fibre reinforcement is used in the face of the panels instead of welded wire mess.

This allowed 50% of the concrete content to be removed as it is usually used to protect the steel mess from corroding and this will not occur with carbon fibre. As a lot of the mass has been removed EPS insulation could be incorporated in the panels. This will reduce the energy costs for the occupant significantly. As there is still concrete in the panels noise levels in the houses will be reduced. Concrete helps to keep internal noise inside and street noise on the outside. This improves the living conditions in the houses compared to conventional frame construction or brick dwellings.

These panels are resistant to insects, pests, mould and fire. This gives the occupier piece of mind that their home is safe. The external surface of the Carbon Cast panels can be made to look like most materials. This gives the designer the freedom to make their building attractive without compromising the structural properties.

Source

At the bottom of this hierarchy were the physiological needs of the person. These needs included water, oxygen, heat, vitamin C, rest, avoiding pain and having sex. The lack of these physiological needs leads to the body craving for things that have satisfied these needs before.

Above the physiological needs are safety needs. When most of the physiological needs are met people start to worry about security. Things such as having a home in a safe area, savings for the future and job security all satisfy this need.

After the previous two areas are satisfied love and belonging needs set in. The need for friendship, a lover, children or just a sense of community are what the person desires at this stage.

At level four esteem needs are required to satisfy the persons happiness. Maslow split this into a lower and higher level of need. The lower is a need for respect, status, attention and recognition. The higher stage concerns self-respect and independence. These are valued as higher in the chart as they come from within the person and are harder to lose.

At the very top of the model is self-actualization. This stage is where a person has a constant aspiration to fulfil their potential. The need to feel complete and be all they can be. Maslow suggested that only two percent of the worlds’ population ever reach the self-actualization stage.

Clayton Alderfer further developed Maslow’s work. He suggested that the five stages identified by Maslow could be reduced to three areas. He called this his Existence, Relatedness and Growth theory. The physiological and safety stages in Maslow’s hierarchy became the existence category in Alderfer’s theory. The interpersonal love and esteem stages became the relatedness category and the self-esteem and self-actualization stages became he growth category. He also suggested that these categories all function simultaneously and the importance of each stage varied between people and even with their mood.

This theory can be applied in construction management by viewing the company as a whole and applying the stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs to it. Stage one sees the project being undertaking as having resources, which are needed for it to begin. These may include tools, drawings and the relevant workers for the project. The company then needs financial backing or sufficient finances to begin the project, which relates to the security stage. They also need to have a feeling of security that they will be paid in full for the completed project.

Acceptance of the venture is what they would look for next. This could be acceptance from a planning department or from the surrounding community. The self-esteem stage would come into action when the project is well under way and the company can make sure that the development has been well planned and executed. The final stage of self-actualization can be reached by completing the project on time and to budget.

Taking this theory to an individual level in the construction industry is just as valid. Take a labourer for example: he needs tools and instructions to begin the process. He then needs to know that his job is secure otherwise he will not commit to the project. A sense of being accepted as part of the team would then satisfy the belonging need he has. The self-esteem stage can be achieved through praise and recognition for good work or the possibility of promotion. Self-actualization is very hard to achieve but it could be achieved through the job being completed to perfection.

Source

Excavation for the building began in January 1930 and just two months later the construction of the building started. The schedule on this project was as adventurous as the design. The architects planned that the project would be completed in only eighteen months. The contractor employed for the project was general contractors Starrett Brothers and Eken, who put in a bold bid to win the job.

Not only did they promise that they could get the job done on time, but they announced that they would purchase custom-fitted equipment to fulfil the contract. Their opinion was that this would cost less than renting second hand equipment and would be more efficient. The investment group agreed with them.

The supplies for the building had to be made at the plants in as close to finished state as possible, to minimize preparatory work needed at the site. The companies they hired had to be dependable, able to provide quality work, and willing to adhere to the allotted timetable. Time had to be scheduled nearly to the minute.

The schedule dictated that each section of the building process overlapped – not a moment was to be wasted. Planning started immediately and a fast-track construction approach was adopted, which is common place in the United States today. This technique involves starting the construction process before the designs are fully completed in order to reduce delays and inflation costs.

Demolishing the existing building on the site and laying the foundations simultaneously helped to save time too. Time was also saved by making the process of moving materials more efficient. A railway was built at the construction site to move materials quickly: each cart held eight times more than a wheelbarrow.

While the outside of the building was being constructed, electricians and plumbers began installing the internal necessities of the building. The building was being erected at a rate of four and a half storeys a week! The project became a model of efficiency.

The Empire State Building took a total of one year and 45days to complete. It was completed under budget – by $18.3million – and ahead of schedule – by three months. American project management still uses the same principles as this project from the 1920s does. The emphasis was on speed as it still is in America.

Source

The most obvious specialist that virtually every commercial construction company project will require is the architect. They are responsible for the layout and shape of buildings, and provide the basis off of which many other specialists can work on. Architects are frequently regarded as the cornerstone behind a building, as they have the most influence over how the building will function, as well as how it tends to look overall. Specialists related to architects include masons and carpenters, who are responsible for making the architect’s plans come to life.

Many public works such as parks and museums have large gardens or spaces of open land, and while many people assume that these are an easy thing to design, it can be pretty difficult to create the right type of walkways and grass areas for optimal aesthetic appeal and functionality. Landscapers typically work with a commercial construction company to place open space, trees, benches, walkways, and other natural features that make up a large part of every outdoor space.

A commercial construction company will generally hire a plumber, an electrician, and an interior designer for the finishing aspects of buildings. These can be staff members of the construction company itself, or private individuals that are contracted out by the company. They are responsible for giving the building its functionality, as well as providing a convenient but appealing way for people to use the building. There are lots of different aspects present in commercial construction, and if they do not all flow together in the right way, buildings can come out a disaster. The key to good construction is getting everyone to work together as a team.

Source

Architecturally, the outside of the building has to be practical. Not only do companies want their buildings to look good, but they want to be assured that it will withstand the elements. Curtain wall engineering rises to the challenge. Materials are chosen that can withstand such factors as wind, snow, rain, heat, earthquakes or even an explosion. There are many firms that specialize in curtain wall design and provide practical expertise. Not only do they understand the materials that can be utilized, but the focus on design and “making it look nice” assure that customers will like what they see.

The typical brick and mortar store of the past has been modernized, receiving a facelift that adds character and beauty to a city skyline. Utilizing stone, cement, glass or other materials allows a business to choose the curtain wall design that appeals to those that work there, as well as appeal to those that visit. Curtain wall engineering and curtain wall design pass the architectural requirements for safety and durability, without sacrificing aesthetics.

Source

Why? In the long haul (and in real estate when the property is the home you live in we are always talking about the long haul) real estate values go up. You are worried however that if you buy just a little too early that you may pay a few thousand dollars more than you really had too. It is amazing that on a purchase often of 3 or 4 hundred thousand dollars people will always worry if they got the really, really best, “I squeezed that vendor for everything he would give”, best price. Does it matter? Let’s think about that. Usually, every thousand dollars that you spent on the purchase of your home cost you $6 per month. So if you purchased a home at $300,000 your monthly payment might be in the $1800 per month range. Now suppose you had squeezed that vendor for another $2000 off ie $298,000 you would be paying $1788. You might have risked getting the home for $12 per month. How’s that for macho – and believe me, women squeeze just as hard as men.

Assuming that you are buying a home and not an investment, and assuming that you will live in that home for 10 years or more, the price you paid will not have as big a bearing on what you make at the end of the time as you think. A home is simply not going to make you anything until you either die and don’t need anywhere to live, or retire and downsize thereby taking out some of your equity or move to a seniors home and free up all equity (and even then you are going to be paying some major rent)

So as you can see, you only realize your equity portion of home ownership of PEI once you no longer need a home or as much of a home. Homes do not statistically perform as an investment as well as stocks and bonds, but the attraction of a home is that you get the added advantage of a place to live.

So property purchase is highly recommended to those younger people who can look at it as a way to save and have a place to live. The proceeds from the house sale may in the future pay off the mortgage and provide a nice nest egg that will have largely escaped erosion by inflation.

Let’s say you have been unfortunate enough to buy on the spike though and your home has reduced in value to the point that the amount of your mortgage exceeds the amount the home is worth. If you do not have to sell out due to marriage breakup or job loss and can continue to pay your mortgage, you may be a little upset, but realize that the value will rebound and that negative equity is temporary.

The reason that you can count on property to rebound in price is because there simply isn’t enough of it. PEI real estate is a prime example where the water-frontage will continue to be bought up, sold and re-bought at ever increasing price as the waterfront on the rest of the eastern seaboard has already been bought, sold developed and resold so many times that the prices are huge.

In addition to getting an eventual return on your property investment you might also consider buying versus renting as when you own your own property you can better control how you live, how you decorate, etc. So anytime is a good time to get into the property market – if times are tougher as they are now, well it could be a very good time for you to secure your own piece of PEI real estate.

Source

Steel buildings are great as music studios because they are both economical and easy to build, with many options for soundproofing. Steel buildings can be added to existing structures our located at a distance from your home or other buildings, like your neighbors’ homes or commercial offices. They come in many different plans and budgets so you are sure to find one that will work for you. Steel buildings are perfect to use as music studios because they have a great deal of interior space and they can be temperature controlled for safe instrument storage. They also allow room for musicians to spread out and they are great for acoustics for recording or live performance purposes.

If you are considering building a steel building for your band or organization, here are some ways you can design yours to be the perfect music studio and avoid any potential problems in the process.

Decide where you should put the steel building

If you live in a medium to large-sized town, you will need to check with local zoning boards to determine if you can build within town limits for a music studio. You may have to stay away from heavily populated areas to reduce noise disturbances. If you have an existing structure that you want to add on to, be sure to get the proper permits before building your new steel building music studio.

The building’s purpose

If you are just adding a space onto your home to become a small recording studio, obviously you won’t need as large of a steel building as you would if you are planning on holding concerts there. You also want to think about how you will access the building, what security needs you may have and what components you will need to ensure it is a climate controlled, sound proof environment. What size air conditioners or heating systems you may need can impact what size building you should build based on cost. Also, do you need to accommodate the general public and if so, what safety issues or accommodations are needed, let’s say for example possible handicapped people?

Additional features of the music studio

A music studio is going to require a lot of soundproofing and airtight recording areas for the best sound quality when using it. You will want to find out about wall coverings or sound barriers that will work within the structure of the steel building. Keep in mind that the walls of the steel building are thin enough that sound will bounce off the interior, but it will also pass through if you do not insulate it enough. There are many choices when it comes to soundproofing options, so be sure to determine what will work best for you.

If you plan ahead and take into consideration the unique features that a steel building can afford you with your plans as musicians, you will find that a steel building is the perfect solution for an affordable music studio.

Source

Due to its unique design, it attracts thousands of tourists keen to see this bizarre specter. The house is a normal conventional double storey wooden house literally inverted upside down with the roof touching the ground.

In this scenario, we can see how an Architect’s decision during the design process can have a profound effect on the commercial viability and profitability of a building. In this case, the design uniqueness attracts thousands of tourists to the site every year. The designer modified the conventional house and put it upside down .The cost of putting up such a house is relatively the same as for putting up a house the same size and design on the right -side up. The cost-benefit of putting up the house up-side down far outweighs the opposite i.e. if the house was conventional. Just imagine-if the house was the right-side up, no tourists would have visited it and the tiny village of Szymbark would not have found its place on the map.

The use of wood for construction eases the flexibility in constructing the house at a few degrees slant. Wood is also light in weight hence easier to suspend and cantilever. From the pictures, notice that the curtains also open upside down to emphasize on the up-side down effect. The suspended cantilevered side also helps to drum in this effect, with the chimney used cleverly to act as support to the ground. Bituminous felt is used as a flat roof on top.

This house will forever be etched in the minds of many and will be true testimonies on how creativity can increase a thousand-fold the commercial viability of Real Estate at no extra cost.

Source