I have spent my entire adult life in the General Engineering Industry. I have been a union laborer, an estimator, a Project Engineer, Project Superintendent, and Project Manager. Invariably, paying for the best people, the best equipment, and having paid for a well-engineered project has always, always shown to be money well invested. It seems like whenever we did a “short cut” on an excavation, shoring, or prepping our right of way for a pipeline project, it cost more dollars in the long run. That is not an “absolute” as we all know we can tackle some small simple projects with a skeleton crew and a minimal amount of prep work as long as we do not get surprised when the hole is dug. But laying out and anticipating underground issues before you dig is always time investment well spent.
The knowledge gained from doing “short cuts” is what differentiates a seasoned, experienced worker from one that isn’t. That knowledge is invaluable as we all know. In many ways it differentiates your project from being a profitable one to one that you have to constantly go back and “fix” or modify long after the pipe is installed, or the road is constructed. I can go back on almost every sour job I was involved in and point to a “short cut” that led to most of the problems we later had to deal with. Not only are those problems expensive in the short term, but they also lead to “reputation problems” that will dog your firm well into the future. Whether you are negotiating with a new client, or working with a public works agency, word of past issues almost always comes up. If your reputation is that there will be no problems on your jobs, believe me that public agency has had that discussion in the back room with their own “seasoned vets” and your project will not be inspected the same as a project that has a “problem contractor” on it.
So how do we gain that institutional awareness in our key employees and how do we spread that institutional awareness throughout our company to our less experienced workers? That, my friends, is the $64,000 question-am I right? Every firm struggles with taking their best operator, their best laborer, and their best foreman, and spreading their skill around. But if you spread that guy or gal too thin, shortcuts in their ability to impart their knowledge crop up.
One of the reasons it is “worth it” to belong to the ECA is the ability to foster relationships and learn from each other. It is one of the reasons a rental company needs to belong to an ECA type organization so that learning and relationship building is always taking place. I am a strong supporter of all of you contractors being encouraged to do business with the rental companies that do belong to the ECA, that do support our industry in our events and in our every day working relationships. And those rental firms that don’t? Let them deal with the amateurs!
You will find equipment rental companies on our website. link. I urge you to do business with them, to share information with them, to learn from each other, and to continue to spread the institutional knowledge gleaned from those relationships throughout your firm. Your jobs will go smoother, your estimates will be more accurate, and you will have less problems. I have embedded a video that is long but you “gearheads” will enjoy it as I did. It is about an excavator “rescue” that was needed because the original contractor did short cuts, and the skill and efficiency of the rescue contractor and excavator operator is something special, in my mind. I will ruin the surprise for you all, and let you know that the “rescue” took 1 ½ hours and they got the excavator out without the laborers having to use a chain and drag it out! Watching a real professional at their craft was special for me! link
I would love to entertain videos and stories from all you guys that demonstrate how to avoid short cuts, and how to spread institutional knowledge that makes our crew better, improves our bottom line, and continues to enhance the reputation that ECA Members are more professional than others that do not belong to the organization! How about this crazy idea? The ECA and its membership produce videos on various aspects of design, permit application, sitework prep and considerations, safety videos, how to bolt a flanged valve to a tee, how to properly dig and shore an excavation, etc. etc. etc. Those videos could be password protected to only allow ECA members to be able to access them, and firms could really have a set of tools that help build that institutional “know how” in a more efficient manner. What do you all think of that idea? Feedback welcome!
When the owner complains about your price which includes the training and expertise you have so carefully cultivated in your firm, you can always respond with
If You Think It’s Expensive to Hire a Professional to do a Job, Wait Until You Hire an Amateur!
That’s all folks!
John
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A Note On How ECA Posts Social Media
It has been asked how posts come to be on our ECA Facebook page. Some folks might think we lean one way or another to certain firms. The process is quite simple really-I read a lot of social media and newspapers and magazines and watch news articles. When content strikes me as interesting to other ECA members, I post it. If companies want me to consider posting their news on our FB page, I am happy to do it. Just please send me the content, or the link. I am happy to post!
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General Membership Meeting on March 16, 2021:
Our friends from RCPA and SCTA will be joining us for a spirited discussion on Climate Change issues and actions at our upcoming March 16 General Membership Meeting from 12-1:30pm. Thank you to Stony Point Rock Quarry and BoDean for sponsoring this GMM with such important information to get. Watching what is happening in Texas and other states might erase any doubt that our climate issues are real and getting more extreme. Let’s all show up for this Zoom meeting on March 16 and learn. Thanks, BoDean and Soiland Company! Look for more info further down this newsletter.
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Ghilotti Construction News:
Congratulations to Brian Ongaro and Rich Dericco on their recent big promotions. Read the article here—
Early Announcement of the next GMM quarterly meeting to be held June 15, 2021:
Transportation and Infrastructure Funding from State, Regional and Local Outlooks– tentatively we will try to get State Senator Mike McGuire to discuss State funding, get David Rabbitt to discuss MTC Regional Funding, and get Johannes Hoervetz and Suzanne Smith to discuss Sonoma County local area infrastructure funding related to transportation. This meeting would be designed to be informative in order for companies to really understand what the “oxygen supply” of publicly funded infrastructure dollars look like from State, Regional and Local perspectives. If you are from Marin County or Napa County, do not worry, as I will ask Rabbitt to focus on MTC funding opportunities in the entire Region that will include your areas of interest. There should be something for everyone!
This is one you will not want to miss out on. Please let me know if you want to be one of, or the only, major sponsor of this event. Call me for details and opportunities. Please!
Where and When Do YOU Get Vaccinated?
In Sonoma County-To find out what your vaccination eligibility is, go to
In Marin County- To find out what your vaccination eligibility is, go to
In Napa County-go to
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Marin County Housing News
The Marin County Board of Supes approved a pilot program to relax design restrictions on septic systems to create a way for 22 existing units to upgrade their disposal system. Proponents are saying that if this proves successful and cost feasible, it could lead to an increase in housing in Marin County areas that have been “off limits” due to septic systems being too restrictive to upgrade and low water supplies disallowing Affordable Dwelling Units from being established. To read more about this news, click here
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CARB Compliance
I expect all or you are up to speed on CARB compliance issues, but if you need to refresh your equipment manager/fleet manager on the rules, here is a handy link for CARB compliance
