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Essential Jobsite Clothing & Gear For Construction Project Managers
Construction Management

Essential Jobsite Clothing & Gear For Construction Project Managers

Working on a jobsite is fun and exciting, but not always comfortable. As Construction Project Managers, we get to spend many hours outside in the sun…as well as the bitter cold, rain, snow and all sorts of other ‘wonderful’ conditions. Combining this with the unique hazards and conditions innate to the construction industry, we must do so safely. We also have to perform our jobs while doing so and still dress in a professional manner. All of that said, let’s talk about some essential job site clothing & gear for Construction Project Managers!

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Pat Finnegan December 20, 2019
Does Weather Affect Construction? 10 Ways Your Project Will Be Impacted
Construction Management

Does Weather Affect Construction? 10 Ways Your Project Will Be Impacted

The construction industry is booming. Buildings are becoming more advanced, infrastructure is built bigger and quicker than ever and there are a hosts of specialty contractors ready to do whatever job is thrown their way. By all accounts, it’s a good time to be involved in construction, even for owners. As advanced as we’ve become, though, there’s still a force too strong for any project to truly overcome: the weather. No matter where you are in the world, there will be weather conditions unique to the area that must be adapted to for project success. Does weather affect construction? Let’s go through 10 ways your project could be impacted by Mother Nature.

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Pat Finnegan December 18, 2019
What Should Be Included In A Schedule Of Values - 7 Tips For Contractors
Construction Documents & Templates

What Should Be Included In A Schedule Of Values? Free Template + 7 Tips For Contractors

When it comes time to pay our cable bill or buy groceries, the process is fairly straightforward. We look at the bill or cash register, get out our wallets and cough up the money. Then we’re on our way. In the construction industry, the billing process is a bit more complicated. Projects that are in full swing have workers onsite from several different trades, materials getting delivered, equipment in use and other costs like that. The Owners of these projects release progress payments as the project continues (often monthly). The amount paid is supposed to represent the amount of work done since the last time they paid a bill. What determines how much any particular task of work is worth in comparison to the entire project? That’s where the Schedule of Values (SOV) comes in! So what should be included in a schedule of values? Here are 7 tips for contractors!

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Pat Finnegan December 16, 2019
Don't Miss These Construction Management Rules Of Thumb & Hacks!
Construction Management

Don’t Miss These Construction Management Rules Of Thumb & Hacks!

While no two construction projects are truly the same, they all share many common threads. The construction industry is complex in that many different types of people and processes are required to bring a project to fruition. Within this framework are countless interactions, assumptions and exchanges between people. When all of these humans are working together, the mystery of human nature is bound to rear its’ head. Where there’s human nature, there are patterns that repeat themselves. Luckily, we’ve been able to not only identify these patterns, but come up with catchy sayings to represent them. In this article, we’re talking about 10 construction management rules of thumb and hacks!

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Pat Finnegan December 11, 2019
10 Things To Exclude From A Construction Bid, Proposal Or Contract
Construction Documents & Templates

10 Things To Exclude From Construction Bids, Proposals & Contracts

All construction projects begin on paper. Tied with drawings, the most important pieces of paper on a construction project are those included in the legal documents. Legal terms are found most defined in the final contract executed between a client and contractor, but even the terms and conditions submitted as part of a construction bid or proposal are critical and carry legal implications, too. This is why it’s essential that contractors understand what to exclude from a construction bid, proposal or contract. In this article, we’ll cover 10 must-know things to exclude in your next construction project.

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Pat Finnegan December 9, 2019
What Do RFP & RFQ Mean In Construction? Free RFP & RFQ Templates
Construction Documents & Templates

What Do RFP & RFQ Mean In Construction? Free RFP & RFQ Templates

The execution of a construction project heavily relies on making purchases. While it’s no mystery that budgeting and cost control are vital aspects of construction management, the actual act of making purchases is important in and of itself. Whether we’re purchasing material and equipment or contracting out a portion of our work, there’s an art and a science behind the procurement process of a project. Within this process are some common acronyms, specifically RFP and RFQ. What do RFP and RFQ mean in construction? That’s what we’re exploring in this article. We’re also giving away a FREE RFP Word template – scroll to download section!

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Pat Finnegan December 4, 2019
Understanding Building Permits, Plus A Building Permit Process Flowchart
Construction Documents & Templates

Understanding Building Permits, Plus A Building Permit Process Flowchart

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just pull up to a vacant lot and begin construction on a new building? If there weren’t any restrictions on what we can do to buildings, if there weren’t any permissions required to perform work? While it’s tempting to say “yes, that’d be PERFECT”, we should hit pause. Building permits are a vital part of maintaining our country’s infrastructure – they ensure that work will be performed in accordance with building codes, that it will be done correctly and that all parties involved are on the same page before any work begins. They’re also necessary for properly documenting project documents like drawings, inspections, etc. This article is all about understanding building permits, plus a building permit process flowchart/infographic!

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Pat Finnegan December 2, 2019
The Purpose Of Mockups In Construction & Why They're So Important
Construction Management

The Purpose Of Mockups In Construction & Why They’re So Important

Everyone knows what a construction project looks like – the equipment, workers, cranes, scaffolding, fences and noise are obvious indicators. Likewise, everyone has seen a huge roll of full-size construction drawings, even if it was in a cartoon or movie. What you may or may not know about a construction project is that there’s a massive middle ground between drawings on paper and the newly finished construction project. In this article, we’re talking about the purpose of mockups in construction and why they’re so important. Let’s dive in!

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Pat Finnegan November 26, 2019
Procurement Strategy For Long Lead Items In Construction - A Few Tips
Construction Management

Long Lead Items: Procurement Tips In Construction & Project Management

On construction projects of all sizes, maintaining the schedule is paramount. While most projects experience some level of delay, a construction project can be heavily impacted, derailed and even cancelled when certain items in the scope don’t go as planned. This includes items with a long lead time – items that take a long time to actually get in hand. It’s extremely important that long lead items run smoothly through their entire process; from procurement to installation. In this article, we’re breaking down the procurement strategy for long lead items in construction, along with a few tips to consider!

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Pat Finnegan November 25, 2019
3 Week Look Ahead Schedule In Construction: Free Excel Template
Construction Documents & Templates

3 Week Look Ahead Schedule In Construction: Free Excel Template!

Every construction project has a schedule to keep. Even in the early stages of a construction project, Clients and Contractors alike must create a master schedule to determine a feasible, realistic completion date along with the steps it will take to get there. While master completion schedules are important, they don’t really provide enough data to determine the fine details of what’s happening today vs. tomorrow. Ironically, Contractors must get the short-term, “this week”-type of tasks nailed down solidly in order to ever actually keep up with the master schedule! In order to plan out the near future, Contractors rely on a specific technique. Today, we’re talking about the 3-week look ahead schedule in construction. We’re also giving away a FREE 3-week look ahead Excel template, too!

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Pat Finnegan November 19, 2019

About This Topic

Articles about what contractors do, things they should know and how to work with them.

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