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Greetings!
Thankfully, the light at the end of the tunnel has begun to bear its head; a recession can have a deafening short term impact on the economy with skyrocketing unemployment rates, marginal profit margins and nominal disposable incomes - these are all things that can be overcome in the short run, but where the problem lies, however, is in the long-term effects of the drastic and unreasonable changes some companies make in order to stay afloat during uncertain times.
Specifically in the construction industry, I often see companies bid projects with desperately low prices (often below cost) to land a project. Clients are easily enamored with low bids but there is a fine line between competitive pricing and impractical pricing; when companies pass off below-price costs to their clients, the client runs the risk of imminent construction defects, which ultimately costs the client more money to correct the project. These below-price costs are generally a result of companies cutting corners and creating safety and structural issues.
As the age-old saying goes, "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is." In order to avoid a structural, legal and financial disaster, clients and contractors should be weary of an alarmingly low bid - price cannot and should not be the sole factor when choosing a vendor. It's important to weigh a company's reputation, project history and experience in addition to examining their competitive, realistic pricing.
Sincerely,
Matt Seals
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| AGC's Career Awareness Day Attracts more than 800 Students
Nick Seals, Chair of the San Joaquin District of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California helped organized a record-breaking attendance at the second annual Central Valley Construction Career Awareness Day. The event showcased a variety of interactive displays and gave students and prospective newcomers to the field, an opportunity to interface with key construction industry leaders in the Valley.
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| Seals/Biehle Completes Pre-Op and OR Remodels at Saint Agnes Medical Center
Saint Agnes Medical Center has been a longstanding client of Seals/Biehle, utilizing their multi-faceted capability and seamless project management. The projects at Saint Agnes span the spectrum from expansion to remodel to demolition, but most recently completed were the Pre-Operative Room (Pre-Op) remodel and the Operating Room (OR) remodel.
The Pre-Op remodel consisted of comprehensive utility upgrades to the 3,862 square foot pre-operation patient holding space. This was part of the main hospital built in the 1970's, therefore much of the upgrade work involved OSHPD bulletin CAN 2-34. All life safety systems were upgraded, including the fire alarm and nurse call systems. The medical gas head walls were replaced and the electrical outlets were upgraded to provide circuiting per code. Demolition involved flooring and base, casework, door and wall assemblies. In addition to the finishes, the scope also included demolition of plumbing fixtures, mechanical fixtures, electrical fixtures and relocation of the pneumatic tube station. The project also encompassed the remodel of the toilet rooms, a break room, new flooring and base, new casework and new ceiling tiles and soffits. To finish off the Pre-Op area, a new soiled utility room, clean utility room and nurses' station were constructed.
The OR project consisted of a remodel of the 3,210 square foot surgical area, including an improvement to the existing operation rooms, the addition of ceiling mounted medical gas booms, removal and replacement of the surgical lights, replacement of finishes, and removal of common walls, storage rooms and film processing rooms to extend the clean supply and staff areas. The project also entailed coordination and shut downs to MEP systems to install new medical gas valves, piping to rooms and the hook up to the OR booms, in addition to the installation of the new scrub sinks throughout the core area. The OR remodel also included replacement of the documentation center with the addition of new casework and equipment in all of the rooms.
Completed Pre-Op Remodel at Saint Agnes Medical Center  Completed OR Remodel at Saint Agnes Medical Center |
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"Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character."
--Anonymous | |
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