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Is “good, fast, cheap – choose two” true? Why quality construction counts.

Image of quality construction from CAM Contracting of Orlando, FL.

When it comes to your building assets, quality construction counts

The physical building you live in and the one(s) you own with your business are more than buildings. They are assets in your fiscal and physical health. They are more than boards and concrete.

They are where the creation of your lifelong memories take place. And they are the base of your efforts to improve the world with your business. It’s obvious they are important, and it’s also clear quality construction counts in making your buildings the best they can be. This post looks at why quality counts. Read on to see how that maximizes the return on your investment.

Good, fast, cheap – Choose two

You may have heard the maxim you can have quality, speed, and low cost for a product. But you may only have two of those at a time. These choices are true of things like restaurant food. They can also apply to the decision you make about your construction project.

This choice could be vital to the quality and long-term financial results of your business and personal assets. Don’t make it in a careless manner.

Fast and cheap

If you want construction done quick and inexpensive, it’s clear that quality will suffer. Unqualified labor will be used, shortcuts will have to be taken, and cheap materials must be used. This choice a horrible and practically a non-existent one for a new building or commercial buildout. Think of the permits and inspections. It’s also a poor choice for any building renovation, restoration, or remodeling.

This poor decision will always result in sub-standard performance and expensive repairs in the long run. For commercial buildings you will rent or sell it could even cause detrimental legal actions.

Good and cheap

It is sometimes possible to get quality construction that is lower cost. But you won’t get it fast. With this option, you have to wait on your contractor’s schedule and when it is most cost-efficient for them. For example, you may get a better price during any off-season(s). But, there will be no overtime hours, and you might have to wait for back-ordered lower-cost materials necessary to keep the cost down.

If you have the time, this might be the right choice. However, any project of this nature entails a long-term construction site. And this situation can be inconvenient, disrupting, and frustrating.

[Read more…]

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Avoid construction disasters: use a licensed contractor, not a handyman

Photo of licensed contractor, CAM Contracting of Orlando, FL 32812

Licensed contractor versus a handyman: make the smart choice

When it comes time for a home renovation or restoration project, people often think of a handyman. But this can be a costly option.

According to Google, a handyman is “a person who is able or employed to do occasional domestic repairs and minor renovations”. A handyman may be competent for hanging artwork, replacing a lock, or installing blinds. But when it comes to “construction” that will have a lasting impact on your home or business, the smart choice is using a licensed contractor.

According to wiseGEEK a licensed or general contractor’s:

“license may be for general construction, or may be obtained for specialized fields, such as plumbing, painting or knowledge of heating and cooling systems like HVAC. Hiring a licensed Contractor tends to assure that one is getting someone with knowledge of state laws regarding building and has a greater degree of experience.

Additionally, people cannot usually obtain a Contractor’s license unless they are also incorporated as a business. This protects both the contractor and would-be employers. If a worker with a contractor’s license performs shoddy work or builds any type of building that does not come up to code, he or she can lose his or her license, as well as being sued by employers.”

Why is important to use a licensed contractor? It comes down to professionalism, performance, and permits.

Professionalism

By its nature a license implies professionalism. The holder is judged to be competent, knowledgeable, experienced, and qualified to carry out the licensed work. This professionalism holds true for a licensed contractor in the construction industry. These general contractors consider every aspect of their work’s impact on your home.

Efficiency

Because a licensed professional has experience and knowledge of a variety of techniques, they know the best and most efficient way to complete individual tasks and entire projects. They have the latest “book” knowledge plus the hands-on experience from doing the work many times before. Thus, you have lower costs for your project. The savings come via less unused construction material and fewer labor hours.

Safety

A licensed contractor is required to meet OSHA safety standards. Meeting them means the job site is safer from accidents that can derail your project’s completion. The results of their work are safer as well since they meet local codes.

They often have worker’s compensation insurance. It will cover costs in the unlikely event of an accident. This medical coverage lessens the odds of an injured worker suing you because the accident occurred on your property.

Shoddy construction can have life or death consequences, especially electrical work.

Quality

Licensed contractors have to produce quality work in order meet the codes mentioned above. It is also required for them to maintain their license. They are usually an incorporated business that must do top work to retain customers and repeat business. Thus they have a long-term commitment to quality. It’s not a one-off with them.

Performance

Contractors also have a proven track record. Because of their commitment to quality and efficiency, they have many clients, repeat business, and a work history. You can access that record via referrals and conversations with previous customers.

Training

Part of maintaining a license is certification for job-site safety practices. Another part is mastering the latest and best construction techniques. They are also familiar with cutting-edge products. Training ensures safe construction and functionality of the completed work.

Bonding

Licensed professional are often bonded. They are financially responsible for their work and any damage to your home or building. Bonding protects you should the contractor perform sub-par work, not complete your project, or fail to pay their subcontractors and suppliers. It removes your liability.

Permits

Licensed contractors pull any needed permits for your project. They make sure the work meets local legal requirements. And they make sure it passes all inspections and will not cause problems for you down the road.

Conclusion

As you can see professionalism, performance, and proper permits are paramount if you want to avoid construction disasters.

The key is to avoiding costly mistakes is choosing a trustworthy and licensed contractor. It is important to have a GC who understands you and your business or property. You want someone you can count on to provide quality, safety, and value. And you want them to prevent any problems in the future.

When it comes time to think about your next construction project, choose CAM Contracting.

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Understand the Standards for your Historic Building’s Rehabilitation

Photo of historic building in St. Augustine, FL

Historic preservation standards protect your community’s heritage and your building’s value

Our historic buildings are a national treasure that serves as a source of education, community pride, and economic development. Cities like St, Augustine, FL and Savannah, GA derive millions of dollars in revenue each year due to the historic buildings in their downtowns and enlightened historic preservation policies.

If you are fortunate enough to own a historic building you have a financial asset that must be maintained. To benefit from its history, a historic preservation designation is needed. Any construction work done to make the property functional in the modern age has to follow national and local standards and guidelines. Compliance will ensure you receive any tax incentives on offer.

For guidance, you need to rely on a team of professionals. It may include architects, architectural historians, historians, archeologists, general contractors, project managers, and others. These professionals specialize in the preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic properties.

Today we will look at the standards and guidelines you must follow when rehabilitating your historic property. But first, let’s take a look at all the categories of historic preservation construction.

Types of historic preservation construction work

There are four approaches to construction work on historic buildings. They are defined by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

  • Preservation: places a high premium on preserving the historic fabric of the building through conservation, maintenance, and repair. It looks to preserve the property over time, and through successive users, and any respectful changes or alterations that have to be made.
  • Rehabilitation: emphasizes the retention and repair of historic materials, but more latitude is provided for replacement. It is assumed a building may be more in worse shape before work begins.
  • Restoration: focuses on keeping materials from the most historically significant time in a property’s lifespan, while permitting the removal of materials from other periods.
  • Reconstruction: establishes limited opportunities to re-create a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object with all new materials. 1

Definition of Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings

The following information (grey text) comes from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s website with minimal editing. It is by necessity legalistic so put your concentration cap on. 😉

The Standards for Rehabilitation (codified in 36 CFR 67 for use in the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program) address the most prevalent rehabilitation treatments. “Rehabilitation” is defined as “the process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values.”

Initially developed to determine the appropriateness of proposed work on registered properties within the Historic Preservation Fund grant-in-aid program, the Standards for Rehabilitation have been widely used over the years–particularly to determine if a rehabilitation qualifies as a Certified Rehabilitation for Federal tax purposes.  [Read more…]

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10021 Fox Meadow Trail Winter Garden, FL 34787

General Contractor: David Seip CGC1512112

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