THE ROLE OF THE BRAIN IN A BRAWNY BUSINESS
The Ronald McDonald House in Charleston , WV , completed in 2016 by Pray Construction .
OF COURSE YOU NEED BRAWN to build things , but don ’ t forget the brain that sits over the brawn . A creative contractor leverages experience to save an owner time , money and headaches . Commercial contracting is not just about the bricks and mortar . It is an intellectual exercise with a good deal of management embedded in it . While one may visualize a contractor as a brawny fellow donning a toolbelt and hardhat , this is only a piece of the total picture . Not obvious to the untrained eye are the cerebral events surrounding the physical activity we know as contracting .
Contractors are called contractors for a reason . They manage related , interdependent people , services and materials . Understanding this critical function can serve an owner well . “ As a lender , we value a contractor who has expertise in the management of the
The Boy Scouts ’ H . Bernard Wehrle , Sr . Scout Leadership Center , completed in 2016 by Pray Construction .
job ’ s foundation . One who understands how to manage contracts , schedules and relationships is likely to complete projects as scheduled and as budgeted . This lowers a lender ’ s risk considerably ,” explains Brad Ritchie , president of Summit Community Bank . “ Trusting a contractor to handle the plethora of activities involved in a complex transaction is invaluable ,” he says . “ The intellectual capital demonstrated in a company ’ s collective knowledge surrounding workflow management , relationship management and industry events , up and down the supply chain , separates the best contractors from the pack . They ease our fears , knowing we are not going to have any surprises .”
Unpack the heady concept of a contractor ’ s intellectual capital and you will find a few key components . Communication , creativity and trust are heavy hitters . Often overlooked in the action-oriented process of building is the importance of communication . The complex nature of multiple businesses working in tandem to complete pieces of a project , all dependent on the successful completion of others ’ work , necessitates excellent communication . Tack on the technical nature of the project and the relative lack of experience of most owners , and the role of communication becomes significant . A seasoned purchaser of contracting services , Lori Payne advocates for excellent communication on a project , large or small . Payne , the chief administrative officer at McKinley Properties III , LLC , who manages several jobs each year , explains , “ Wellplanned , intentional communication can make the difference between success and failure in any project . As is true in all relationships , having clear communication is always a good idea . While we do not want surprises on a construction job , if they occur and are not shared , the outcome worsens .”
An astute accounting and business office propels successful projects , providing a structure on which to build . Creative thinkers can provide solutions for customers , be they nascent or experienced . “ I have confidence in running a nonprofit but lacked experience in budgeting for , designing and building a new facility ,” explains Dewayne Dickens , executive director of Ronald McDonald House . “ Having an experienced , trusted contractor on my team ensured success for us . At every turn , I realized how much our contractor helped us through the entire process with creative solutions . They saved us significant money through direct purchases as a nonprofit and had all the systems in place to handle such transactions .” Creativity in processes can be more valuable than any other aspect of a project .
Transparency from a contractor , another non-brawn attribute , increases trust . If a contractor provides an open book methodology , an owner is able to see and understand the costs associated with choices they make . A smart contractor , through creative problem solving , finds ways to get an owner his or her desired outcome at a lower cost . Further , a truthful contractor can demonstrate in summary and detail the impact of those decisions to the overall budget in an easy-to-read and verifiable format .
Much like the foundation on which a building is built , the thought , planning and procedures instituted before a project starts can dictate the project ’ s success . Vet your contractor ’ s accounting , back office and culture of communication before engaging them in a building project . •
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To learn more about Pray Construction ’ s creative methodologies , visit www . prayconstruction . com .
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