CONTRACTOR SUCCESS STORY : YOUMAN WELDING
using mathematical formulas and doing things that I ’ d never done before . During the installation of over 500 feet of pipe , I had not one problem with any of my measurements , and everything lined up perfectly . We had to shut off all the water to complete the installation and had only a certain amount of time before they needed the water back on – being able to complete this very complex work on such a tight schedule gave me a new level of confidence in my capabilities . Anyone walking by won ’ t understand the complexity of this kind of project , but it feels great - like solving a puzzle - to have the skills to fabricate and then put together pipelines at this scale . I love the challenge of working with different piping sizes , materials and environments .”
Veronica also enjoys knowing that her work contributes to maintaining the infrastructure necessary for local communities to function and thrive . “ I ’ ve run a lot of gas and water piping to elementary , middle and high schools for boiler and heating , ventilating and air conditioning ( HVAC ) systems – anything above a certain size has to be welded . So , it ’ s not uncommon for me to drive by a school that I ’ ve worked on and that ’ s a good feeling .”
She was enrolled in a LAUSD small business seminar when she first learned about the free support available to small contractors through the Los Angeles Regional Contractor Development and Bonding Program ( CDABP ). This proved fortuitous , as she was about to bid on her first major public works project – she ’ d previously mainly worked as a subcontractor to other subcontractors .
“ A friend of mine had just completed the CDABP program , so I reached out to the CDABP staff for assistance . They ’ ve been incredibly helpful to me in preparing and submitting the bid , as well as meeting insurance and bonding requirements . They ’ ve also helped me navigate , understand and negotiate the contract terms , as well as communicate with the prime – all of which would otherwise be overwhelming .”
This latest project , for the City of Huntington Beach , represents a valuable opportunity for Veronica to enhance Youman Welding ’ s capacity and gain the experience necessary for Experience Modification Rate ( EMR ) requirements . Insurance companies translate the experience modifier into a number , or an EMR , based on a business ’ historical cost of injuries and future potential risk . That EMR is then compared to the average losses of other employers in the same industry and state , so building an excellent track record can translate to more favorable insurance rates . Completing this project will also be advantageous in positioning Youman Welding for future public works contracts .
Veronica is enthusiastically looking forward to this upcoming project . “ I get called all the time for welding , but I want to be the contractor in charge of this on site , so I ’ m eager to take it to the next level . Many times when I get called in as a sub , I could have gotten the work done much faster and more efficiently if I ’ d been able to provide input and direction from the start .” In the 12 years that she ’ s been a welder , Veronica has noticed that the guys in charge often have their own
SPRING 2024 LA CONTRACTOR CONNECTION - 19