“We gotta get out of this place, if it’s the last thing we ever do …” — Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Circumstances dictated by this current pandemic have certainly taken a toll on me—at least psychologically. I shouldn’t complain, though. As of this writing, I’ve still got a job, and no one I know has come down with the dreadful virus. In this, I am blessed. Still, the ill effects of “sheltering in place” cannot be denied. In short, I’ve been climbing the walls.
A little background for context is in order. In Arizona, our governor issued a stay-at-home order effective March 31. Fortunately, he softened the blow for some of us by declaring the construction industry essential, thus enabling our operations to continue. Even so, our bosses, in a cautionary measure, wisely requested that all office personnel work from home during shutdown, which lasted through mid-May.
At first I was perfectly fine with working from home. I was especially pleased with avoiding the long commute. And even though I have a spare bedroom that easily converted to a private office, it wasn’t long before I started to feel strangely cooped up. By the second week I felt like I was living in exile—banished from my regular place of employment. And just when the claustrophobia built to an overwhelming level, I was emancipated by an email—an invitation to a jobsite walk on a current project!
I always look forward to the blessed little sojourns, not only for the occasion to drag myself away from the gloom of my cave and the multicolored drudgery projected on dual screens, but also for the prospect of resolving some infuriating contradictions or information gaps that have no doubt emerged in my early perusal of the plans. And in these days of sequestering, an invitation to a change of scenery is a welcome one indeed.
Site visit invitations seem to be currently quite numerous, due in part to a marked expansion in the renovation segment of our industry. It follows that we have been inundated lately with bid requests for hospital renovations, considering the times. Typically these projects are replete with site conditions that are peculiar to each particular job—conditions that often are not communicated in the bid documents, hence the very necessary function of the site visit.
When I arrive at the site, I put on my PPE and strike out on an investigative mission in search of insights that will hopefully give me an edge over my less perceptive competitors. And that is the first nugget of information I aim to avail myself of here: exactly who the competition is on the project. This might actually be the most valuable tidbit of knowledge that I’ll gain on this visit. I’ll spot the usual suspects, the ones I know and recognize by sight. But I make it a point to be the last visitor to add my name and contact info to the sign-in sheet so I can scan the list and flush out any unfamiliar drywallers who might be present. We all know how crucial it is to keep a watchful eye on the competition.
Next on my list of items to explore involves dimension and volume of work. Tenant interior and renovation drawings typically lack section views and building elevations, and so some very critical information can be gained only by a site walk. Deck heights, for instance, are almost never disclosed anywhere in the bid documents but are obviously critical to a precise framing/drywall takeoff. The extent of above the ceiling rough-ins also needs to be considered.
Perimeter treatment seems to be another mystery the design team tends to keep concealed. The interior side of a new shell can range from finishing only to a full scope including framing, or anything in between. Typically a shell wall will be insulated, drywalled and taped (Level 1), but one can’t be sure of that without actually seeing it. I dutifully note the heights of sills and heads along with the level of interior wall treatment at the shell.
Renovation drawings often include keynotes to perform various special activities, such as skimming existing walls to match new work, stripping existing wallcoverings or utilizing existing ceiling tile, where possible. “Building standards,” including paint colors and wall treatments, must be ascertained. Apparently, nothing short of a personal inspection of the extent and condition of the existing walls and ceilings will suffice for an accurate projection of the extent of work on such items.
Other important items that I make note of on my walk include extent of demolition (if ongoing or completed), access for material stocking and scrapping, facilities, ongoing operations and site-specific safety concerns.
As of this writing, the lockdown has been lifted and we are poised to return to the office tomorrow. Though I’m not looking forward to the tedious to-and-from drive, I will be relieved for the change of environment and the interaction with fellow bidmeisters. I imagine that by the end of the week the familiarity of the office will erase the trauma of the current exile. Even so, I’ll still look forward to those site-visit invitations. It’s always nice to get out.
Vince Bailey is an estimator/project manager working in the Phoenix area.
