Sheet Metal Journal, the insight - the information

Well, we’ve got the holiday season behind us and now it’s time to get back to reality and face the new issues and challenges that 2007 will bestow upon the construction industry. If you look back to 2006, I think you’ll agree that SMACNA-BC Contractors and the sheet metal industry in British Columbia faired very well; the number of projects out for tender in 2006 equated to an unprecedented number of man hours worked, and hopefully along with the increased man hours, something known as “profit” has also been added to the equation.

The buzz through the industry is acknowledging the luxury of not having to bid projects that have ten or more bidders on them; being able to be selective not only on which projects to tender, but also “teaming up” with only the best; and having the team consist of, but not be limited to, mechanical contractors, general contractors, suppliers, subs and even the design authorities.

The breakdown requirements on the “team” mechanicals, generals etc. are relatively simple: respect, coordinate, support, and pay on time. The breakdown requirements for “team” design authorities is quite complex in comparison. Some design firms feel that their “team” allegiance lies with the architect and/or the owner without ever acknowledging that by not “teaming up”; with the contractors who bid, coordinate and install their designs, they may in fact be receiving higher bid prices which may jeopardizing the profits (there’s that word again) budgeted for the design to the architect/owner.

Here is a list of some items that have been brought forward throughout the years that basically identify a wish list from the majority of, if not all contractors:

Improved Engineering
The number-one item identified these days is that the overall engineering is sub-standard relative to years prior; year after year the drawings are getting progressively worse. I guess the only way to remedy this would be to have the designer be thorough—spend more time on the design. This would increase design costs but would decrease installation costs.

Get rid of “Weasel Clauses” in the specifications. Every spec has them.
Make sure the specifications suit the project: some firms put together a generic spec, don’t make appropriate alterations, therefore confusing the issues.

Expedite timely turnaround on shop drawings.
Expedite timely turnaround on change orders/site instructions. Jobsite conditions change rapidly and affect quoted costs.

Understand “true costs” of change orders.
This means, for example, understanding of quantifying materials, current labor and material costs, shop burden, overhead and once again, profit.

At the beginning of the project, view samples of types of fittings/duct that will be used on the project along with having the contractor submit “shop standards” noting compliance with SMACNA standards. This will alleviate obvious discrepancies at a later date and will also allow the contractor to commence with some fabrication.

If the specifications note “as per SMACNA standards” the designer should be versed in these standards and the contractor must comply accordingly. SMACNA standards vary shop to shop due to the variety of manufacturing equipment, however standards are standards and if a non SMACNA-BC contractor is on the project, the standards must still be maintained. After all, they have allowed for the SMACNA standards in their bids.

Perform frequent site inspections and report deficiencies ASAP to the jobsite superintendent. A report a week after the fact may add extra costs due to changing jobsite conditions. For example, the contractor might have sent some of his manpower to another site, drywall and ceilings might have been installed, etc.

Keep the communication lines open.
If you have any questions or concerns simply give the contractor a phone call. It’s in everyone’s interest that questions and answers are put out there and handled in a timely fashion—after all, time is money. As my old boss Tony Paris used to tell me, “If we charge out at $60 per hour that’s $1 per minute.” Time management always seemed more important to me after hearing that.

Create a contractor short-list.
Consider at the pre-tender time, short-listing contractors that you have had success with in the past; and I don’t mean just the prime contractors, I am suggesting all of the subcontractors and suppliers.

Seriously consider putting the project out for tender through the BCCA and the Mechanical Trades Bid Depositories.
This is where apples are apples and oranges are oranges. The contractors “best price” within the rules and without “the games” has been tendered. Email Warren Perks (perks@bccassn.com) at BCCA / Barbara Stafford at MTBD (biddepository@mcabc.org).

Don’t hesitate to give SMACNA-BC a call should you need any assistance with any of the above noted recommendations. SMACNA-BC is available to your company for presentations re: technical standards, change orders, performing site inspections, even if you would like your master specification reviewed for comment, give us a call and we’ll see what we can do for you. Should you have any questions that might be a little too involved for the B.C. office, we have the support from Eli Howard and the rest of the SMACNA National Technical Department: they know all of the answers, after all they wrote the books. Point of information: SMACNA-BC has Eli Howard travel out to BC on an annual basis to make technical presentations. These presentations have ranged from Architectural Sheet Metal, Duct Design to Seismic Restraint. Dates for his next visit is to be announced.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
February 22-23, 2007
Visit the SMACNA- BC and SMWIA Local Union No. 280
booth at the Prince George Construction Association Career Fair.

April 26-29, 2007 • SMACNA-BC Christmas Party,
Annual Convention & AGM at the Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria, BC

New SMACNA-BC Contractor Members

The SMACNA-BC Board of Directors has approved the
following companies for SMACNA-BC Contractor Membership:

Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd., Surrey, BC Dave & Bernie Antchak

Airtek Pneumatics Ltd., Surrey & Kelowna, BC Greg Matic

The SMACNA-BC Board of Directors has approved Arie Muntz, Vernon, BC, for SMACNA-BC Life Member status. Arie’s first involvement with SMACNA-BC dates back in the day when he worked for Welsh & Son Ltd., somewhere in the 1960s. In 1974 he relocated to Vernon, BC, where he worked and later purchased Ron Brown Plumbing & Heating. Congratulations on your appointment.