Sean O'Mara

VADA: This 200,000 ft. building has an Area 3 uplift value of -34.1. VADA specified a perimeter that passed 120 PSF, WITHOUT a vent in the assembly. A TRUE test, not a gimmick.... The Area 1 uplift value is -19.1 PSF. VADA specified a field that passed  135 PSF, WITH a vent, because VADA Area 1's are vented. VADA spec for this building is 3.5 X Safety for Area 3 And, 7 X Safety factor for Area 1. VADA's success is by Design. No wonder VADA has NEVER had a roof damaged by wind! Brian Brookheart VADAVent.com

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What value proposition would you give someone considering a job in the construction industry? From Episode 186 | Apprenticeships and Retention at DPR Construction Listen to the full episode here, https://lnkd.in/gqmyhb2K

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Watch how a Phoenix contractor uses blueprints to lay out full-size floor templates making the project more efficient in transferring marks from ground to ceiling. Check out the full video: https://hubs.ly/Q02Zq-0K0

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Who really pulls the strings in a construction project? Most think it's the owner's rep, the architect, the general contractor, or even the client. But, in reality, it's the contract. Contracts define the parameters of any construction project. They set the stage for what’s possible, outline the expectations, and ultimately control the flow of work and funding. Instead of merely passing contract templates back and forth between lawyers, we need to take a more proactive approach. Request a meeting to discuss the 'why' behind each clause before disputes arise. Don’t just fight over terms; explain them. Understanding the purpose of each contractual condition can turn confrontations into collaborations, leading to smoother project execution. What’s your experience with the impact of contracts in managing construction projects? #constructionmanagement #construction #contracts #constructionlaw #bldg #bldgtomorrow

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Mint & Morehead Charlotte, NC Developer - Aspen Heights Partners GC - Samet Corporation Architect - dwell design studio, llc Engineer - Ehlert Bryan Engineering Consulting Installer - Baker Concrete Constructors "It was our first time working with the system and the Swirnow team stepped up to provide total project support which was invaluable to the Hambro installation and overall project success." - Drew Bardeleben Samet Corporation "Dwell Design Studio is proud of our successful collaboration with Swirnow Structures' pre-construction team, where exceptional teamwork has fueled the design process of this project. Together, we've crafted an exceptionally efficient high-rise structure, turning our design vision into reality. We eagerly anticipate future opportunities to collaborate." - Jose A. Perez, AIA, Principal Dwell Design Studio, LLC "This was our third building using Hambro on prefabricated light gauge metal studs and we are extremely pleased with the results. With continuously rising material costs, Swirnow Structures maintained a cost-effective solution which ultimately helped keep the structure on budget. We look forward to working with them on future buildings." - Jay Lynde Aspen Heights Partners _____________________ Mint and Morehead, located in downtown Charlotte, NC is a 17-story building with 12 stories of Hambro composite joists bearing on pre-fabricated light gauge metal stud panels (348,000 sq. ft.) over 5 stories of poured-in-place concrete parking. The Hambro floor system presents a cost-effective alternative to traditional poured-in-place concrete construction, offering significant advantages in both speed of installation and structural efficiency. By utilizing Hambro bearing on prefabricated metal studs, buildings can be closed in as they are erected, accelerating the overall construction schedule. This allowed the installer to deliver a full floor of approximately 28,000 sq. ft. every 9 days. The innovative "strip and go" forming system allows reusable plywood forms to be stripped just 24 hours after the concrete pour without requiring shoring, this enables subcontractors to commence their work immediately following the pour. Furthermore, the Hambro system provides a lighter weight structural solution, with only half the dead-load of traditional poured-in-place structures, reducing foundation requirements and overall construction costs. The superior fire ratings of the Hambro system can eliminate the need for fire dampers, while its high STC rating negates the need for additional additives such as Batt insulation, resilient channels, etc. These features collectively contribute to a more efficient, cost-effective, and faster construction process, making Hambro an optimal choice for a variety of project types. SwirnowStructures.com #Hambro #SwirnowStructures #MintAndMorehead #CharlotteNC #HighRiseBuilding #StructuralEfficiency

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"In order for prefab to work, you need buy-in from the top." This is something I've heard from peers, suppliers, and software vendors. And they're wrong. This belief stems from experience. When a lower-level leader tries to implement change and test new ideas, they sometimes get shut down by upper management. Demoralized, they throw in the towel. Conversely, some have found that when upper management buys in, they can push through until they connect with true believers and finally establish traction. From an organizational standpoint, that statement has merit. But personally, you should not take that as your excuse. Instead, I think the words of Jocko are much more relevant when he says that the job of a leader is to lead up and down the chain of command. Every leader has a bubble of influence around them: their own scope of work coupled with their relationships, charisma, and ability to articulate complex thoughts concisely and impactfully. If you want prefab to work, identify what you can do within your personal abilities, execute that in an impactful manner, and share your experiences with others. Where you are in the chain of command is beside the point. I worked with a guy who was a foreman on a project. He identified possible prefab items, set aside workspace on the job site to execute repeatable work, and tracked efficiency gains. He is now the prefab supervisor at his company. Things didn't change right away, but slowly over time, despite naysayers, by executing well, he made forward progress. Don't wait for your company to magically reorient or for all the dinosaurs to die off. You can make forward progress. *image is AI generated #prefabfriday #construction #bim #prefab #motivation

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Check out Kane Phillips insightful video about the many steps to set up a Ground Floor screed! Thankfully engineers like Kane and his colleagues take the time to be this precise so that we have nice level floors in our homes and offices! #BuildingHeroes #BuildingHeroesIRL #BuildSustainableCareers #NextGenCareers #ConstructionHeroes #buildingthefuture #BuildSustainableCareers #EngineerANewCareer

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Recently worked up an estimate for a new client on a ground-up Panda Express in Michigan. Little bit of site work, building electrical and low voltage system pathways. Drawings were not great, very cut-up, lot of references to details requiring detailed takeoff. This marks his first time bidding a larger type of commercial project. I took special care to walk him through the entire process, including the initial project review, pre-bid strategy, quotables, final bid review, proposal, and even into post-bid negotiation and sales tactics. Got some feedback today on it actually, we weren't the low number, but not out of the game. Apparently nobody caught the disclaimer note on the 1st page entirely disqualifying the use of MC. It's a good place to be because it forces the GC to ask your competition those qualifying questions. If they missed it, they either have to admit to it and raise their cost or eat it. Not a good look if they missed something and it could level the playing field for you. #electrical #estimating #strategy

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Ever wonder what Precast Concrete is? Come on, you know you were lying awake last night wondering.................So here ya go......... Precast concrete. It's all around you and you probably never realized it. From faster construction timelines and lower labor costs to greater design flexibility and customization, it is changing the way we build. So, if you're looking for a construction material that can provide superior quality, speed, and sustainability, choosing precast concrete is the way to go. Precast concrete is made by pouring concrete into a mold in a factory or plant, instead of directly pouring it at the construction site. The cured concrete product is then transported to the construction site and installed as a finished material. Pretty cool. Concrete knowledge my Concrete friends #woc2025 #precastconcrete #informaMarkets #concreteindustry #worldofconcrete #concreteshow

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How to Get the Most Accurate Bid from Chicago Paving Contractors Getting accurate bids from Chicago paving contractors is no easy feat. Paving projects are complex. There are many logistics to cover, costs to account for and unexpected expenses that could make the final investment much higher than the initial bid. However, getting accurate pricing information for your asphalt paving in Chicago is paramount. With many contractors vying for your business, accurate bids make it easier to make the right decision for your property, budget and needs. In this blog, we’ll cover a few ways to get more accurate figures from paving companies...https://bit.ly/4cpm54b

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✨ OSHA-compliant retrofit 🦺 safety grating provides permanent fall protection for existing floor doors, regardless of manufacturer. https://hubs.la/Q02Z5R0-0 #construction #realestate #engineering #buildingconstruction #architects #architecture #safety #contractors #constructionindustry #building #generalcontractors #buildingproducts #commercialconstruction #CSI #AIA

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BRAND-NEW PODCAST EPISODE IN FULL: Want to learn how the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) is proactively advocating for construction teams' health and safety as they contend with extreme heat scenarios? Listen as Donna Richter and John Holt tell us how in this latest episode of BUILD St. Louis. https://lnkd.in/gK_gEcUg

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A dispute between City of Racine Racine Water Utility and Village of Mount Pleasant officials not only is seemingly affecting development in Mount Pleasant TID #5 (Microsoft Data Center), but is also halting construction and development of many residential communities outside of TID #5. If you're from the area, follow along with my thoughts and opinions, and do some research on your own [links in comments for articles/information]. TMJ4 News reported: "In a statement Thursday [6/9/2024] Racine’s Mayor Cory Mason claimed their city has not received the benefits that were advertised by Mt. Pleasant Officials when they last amended the agreement in 2018. He specifically cited Foxconn’s job projections in the area falling significantly short by 2021. Microsoft doesn’t fill the gap, so Mason wants to renegotiate." Wisconsin Public Radio / WGD reported similar: "Racine now says the details of an amendment on water and sewer service that enabled Foxconn to move forward need to be renegotiated because the Microsoft development promises fewer jobs than Foxconn." My comments after reading the "Intergovernmental Agreement Between City of Racine, Racine Water Utility and Village of Mount Pleasant / Relating To Impacts on Public Services Associated With Village Of Mount Pleasant Tax Incremental District No. 5" 1. The Village of Mount Pleasant entered into a development agreement with three Wisconsin corporations (collectively "Foxconn") in 2017 and created TID #5 in order to provide public infrastructure. 2. The intergovernmental agreement is between the Village of Mount Pleasant and City of Racine, Racine Water Utility relating to TID #5. 3. The agreement is for the duration of TID #5 (2047) and guarantees that there will be a sufficient revenue generated to meet Racine Utility's deficiency costs - and if this revenue isn't reached than Mount Pleasant will pay for the shortfall. 4. The Village of Mount Pleasant will increase their contributions to the Racine Area Transit Commission, with expected increased use in the Mount Pleasant area. 5. There are a variety of other portion of this agreement such as boundary studies and future wastewater treatment expansion. In the 19 page agreement document, I found nothing that is relative to jobs creation and nothing stating the agreement between Village of Mount Pleasant and City of Racine, Racine Water Utility was specifically for Foxconn -- everything in the agreement notes TID #5 (an entire area with multiple developments, not one single development). And as a bonus for Wisconsin Builders Association home builders and single family home developers, somewhere between 5-7 developments are being help up due to this "need for renegotiation" from the City of Racine Mayor. With a nationwide shortage of roughly 1.5 million housing units [Reported by National Association of Home Builders], every development counts in increasing the supply and working to stabilize our economies.

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Are you a manager overwhelmed with endless paperwork and frustrating bottlenecks? When crucial drawing submittals, take-offs, or bid preparations face delays, it can feel like growth and progress are slipping through your fingers. ADDMORE Services is here to clear the clutter. Our team tackles the time-consuming tasks that clog up your workflow, from preparing detailed drawings to creating accurate quantity take-offs. By streamlining these essential processes, we help you reduce bottlenecks, enhance efficiency, and hit every deadline with confidence. Imagine a workspace where your time goes into strategy, not paperwork. Let’s make that vision a reality with ADDMORE’s dedicated support. Contact caddley to schedule a thirty minute no obligation consultation Refer to www.addmoreservices.com to learn more about ADDMORE and their services #ADDMORE #StreamlineEfficiency #ProjectManagement #TakeOffs #Bids #DrawingSubmittals #ConstructionSupport #OutsourcingSolutions”

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The overall outlook for non-residential construction is cautiously optimistic, with inflation delaying interest rate reductions, continued workforce challenges keeping labor costs high, and national supply chain workarounds in the wake of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse tangentially contributing to longer lead times and higher costs for construction materials. Check out the Mortenson Q1 2024 Chicago cost index for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gSuyxa3

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