With a self-reported A/E/C industry repeat-work average of 80-85%, it’s tempting to assume that most firms understand client retention. However, if these past few years have taught us anything, it’s that doing good work is necessary but not sufficient for holding onto clients. The time, energy and focus required to keep a desirable client coming back can be overwhelming. Yet the economics are indisputable. Consider the wasted pursuit costs of landing a new client when that client becomes dissatisfied and goes elsewhere. Depending on the client, your opportunity, travel, proposal and labor costs, the hours you’ve lost can easily run
New construction starts in June slipped 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $446.1 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos. After the elevated activity reported during March and April, which reflected the lift coming from the start of two nuclear power projects, total construction in May and June returned to a level just slightly above the average monthly pace reported during the previous year. June featured a moderate loss of momentum for nonresidential building, after this sector’s improved performance in May. At the same time, residential building in June maintained its gradual upward trend,
Alta Vista Charter School in Lamar has been named the first project in the U.S. to attain the Verified Leader certification by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS). It recognizes AVCS as a healthy, high-performance, green school. Photo courtesy of SLATERPAULL Architects The high-performance design features at AVCS should reduce energy consumption by 54% with significant savings to the school. CHPS is a national organization that optimizes K-12 learning environments and improving student performance and the entire educational experience by building the best possible schools. Similar to LEED, CHPS provides a regional focus for sustainability.“We are thrilled to see
The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials decreased for the second consecutive month in June and inched up by just 0.5% from a year earlier, according to a new analysis of producer price index figures recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the amount contractors charge to construct projects was virtually unchanged for the month and rose only between 3.2% and 4.4% from a year ago.“Contractors are finally seeing sustained relief from the outsized cost increases that buffeted them last year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The half-percent rise in the
According to the Texas Tribune, how much people pay for water in the U.S. can vary significantly by where they live. Further, there is not necessarily a correlation between water costs and where “water rich” and “water poor” cities are located. For instance, based on use of 7,500 gal. of water per month, a family in Seattle has the highest water rates in the country at $56.18. However, the city has experienced relatively adequate, normal rainfall over the past five years. Conversely, residents of San Antonio pay less than half that amount, $22.80, for the same allocation of water. Yet
A new industry report estimates that production of sustainable homes in the nation’s housing industry will nearly double in the next four years. The green homes share of the construction market was 17% in 2011, equating to $17 billion, and expected to rise 29% to 38% by 2016, potentially a $87 billion–$114 billion opportunity, based on the five-year forecast for overall residential construction, according to a new report from McGraw-Hill Construction and the National Association of Home Builders.The data— released as part of a new MHC SmartMarket Report called “New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming the Residential Market”—reveals that two
The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is hosting its 41st National Meeting and Training Conference at the Embassy Suites in downtown Denver from July 21-25. COMTO’s mission is to increase career opportunities for minorities in the transportation industry through advocacy, information sharing, training, education and professional development. The conference supports this mission by bringing together the industry’s top executives and senior staff to network and discuss issues of leadership and equality within the transportation industry. COMTO chose to hold the conference in the Mile High City for two reasons—one, Colorado is a regional, national and international transportation hub,
Construction employment stalled in June as more former construction workers left the industry, according to an analysis of new federal data released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America. The lack of current job openings, along with the departure of experienced workers, suggests a potential skilled-labor shortage may be developing, construction association officials warned. “Employment in the construction industry has fluctuated within a very narrow range—1% above or below the June level of 5.5 million—for more than two years now,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. While the latest figure was 14,000 higher than one year earlier, the
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation began repairs July 18 on the sinkhole on U.S. 24 over Tennessee Pass and will finish the week of August 6. The highway will remain closed in both directions to all traffic, including bicyclists, from mile marker (MM) 162 to MM 166. Photo courtesy of CDOT CDOT began work July 18 to repair a 35-ft-wide sinkhole on U.S. 24 over Tennessee Pass. Hayward Baker Inc. won the repair bid with a contract amount of $829,748.65. Incentives are part to the contract. If Hayward Baker can open one lane or both lanes of the highway
The tragic fire losses experienced by Colorado building owners and homeowners raise a number of questions that need to be answered by many members of the design and construction industry. From the standpoint of involved members of the industry, one of the main questions is: Will owners have sufficient funds to pay for reconstruction or remediation of their properties?One of the first places to look is the owner’s insurance coverage. If that coverage is not adequate or not properly pursued by—or on behalf of—the owner, and if the owner does not otherwise have funds to complete the work, those who
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