Real Estate Information Center

The change in construction materials cost in 2009 has been significant, but the real bottom line change is resulting from increased competition between contractors. Our clients who are owners openly discuss the challenges they have related to the increasing complexity and competition during the bid process. A few years ago a K-12 school construction project had 3-5 bidders, today there are 30 firms competing for the same project. The challenge for owners is to determine which contractors are qualified. The ability for a contractor to demonstrate experience and performance from past projects is crucial to satisfying owners concerns and winning bids.

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.

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Japanese project management reflects the Japanese culture of “honour.” A reputation for high quality buildings is present throughout the industry. The Japanese have developed mass production, standardisation and simplification. There are six main contractors in Japan, who each have over 1,000 employees.

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.

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Carbon Cast concrete is an innovative technology that uses conventional steel for primary reinforcing and C-GRID epoxy-coated carbon fiber composite grid for secondary reinforcing and shear transfer. This allows the material to be very lightweight compared to normal reinforced concrete.

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
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Abraham Harold Maslow was an American theorist who studied the needs of humans and how satisfying these needs can motivate people to work harder and be happy. He started his studies observing the behaviour of monkeys. Whilst researching the monkeys he realised that some needs took priority over others. He took these ideas and produced his famous hierarchy of needs.

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.

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The 1453-foot, 103-story Empire State Building came to be a project because General Motors executive John J. Raskob wanted to beat his arch-rival in creating the tallest building in the world.

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.

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