Golden Bee

Martin Berneman

Jobsite Adaptation Champion

We have a build-design firm and most of our projects are designed in-house from top to bottom. Since the construction arm is involved in the planning phase, we have a full grasp of the ins and outs of all aspects of the construction. In this recent project, the client came to us with an existing set of plans that we based our bids on those set of plans. We did have a few hiccups at the beginning, but those issues were all solved very quickly.

In the past, we have encountered issues with different trades trying to work on top of each other. For instance, when the Plumber, Electrician and HVAC are all trying to use the same areas to supply the house’s infrastructure, everyone is competing for the same piece of interior real estate. Each trade lets us know that their way is the only way, and therefore, we need to listen to them.

With my experience, I have allowed the subs to dictate on how they are going to install their material and have been burned too many times. When I have allowed a trade to bully me into their mode of operation and not let me process my own decision, I have regretted the decision to allow that sub to dictate and not trust my own instincts.

“Let your voice be heard. If you feel something is not correct, voice your opinion. Listen to your instincts and take charge. You will have less grief and be accomplished at your decision making.”

Currently, we are building a 3500 square foot two-story home, which has two package units on the roof, and two chases were planned in the Architectural phase to go from the second floor to the first floor. In pre-planning conversations with my Project Manager, we organized that the HVAC vendor would be the first trade to start after framing. HVAC work requires heavy equipment, large ducts and return lines that other trades would have the ability to work around. This is not the case in reverse. In the past, when I have allowed plumbing to begin, I have had to move the plumbing around because it took up the valuable areas that the ducts needed. The thought process is that by getting the bigger items installed, it would prevent having to move plumbing or electrical after they have been installed.

Here in Los Angeles, we have extreme Building Codes in which they restrict any capability of having chases and getting large ducts across structural beams unless you pre-planned those items. When we were hired, this project came with a set of mechanical plans done by a licensed engineer that we were directed to follow.

When we met with the HVAC vendor, we started to walk the project and unfortunately the plans did not work in the slightest. With the given plans, we were unable to supply air to half of the house. The vendor let us know that there was nothing he could do, until we had a set of working plans and to let him know when we figure it out the new plans. He was extremely professional as the reality is that his job is to take the plans and install the system according to that set of plans and he is not an electrical engineer to be able to redesign the entire plan.

What do you do when this happens? Who is responsible to remedy this situation? How do you solve the problem? These are all the issues that a builder is going to have to deal with and the longer it takes to solve, the job will only get held up.

We need to take charge and become the center point and resolve these issues. One of my philosophies, is that during Construction, there are no “Problems”, there are only “Solutions”. Now, solutions don’t always make the clients happy, but in this case, this was a big problem that needed to be solved.

My direct position in the organization is to oversee all the design elements and how the project will look aesthetically. I don’t always look at design during the construction phase, but I also look at how we are going to construct those design elements as well because, I truly understand construction at its core. I have an innate ability to visualize how the project will look when finished, and therefore, I tend to work backwards on how I want to make sure the design becomes a reality.

I had to spend a week of my time trying to analyze the plans, walk the jobsite and work with our project manager to figure out how to make the HVAC work on this project. We made a lot of modifications to get a package unit on the roof that had to be moved to a completely different location as well as a split system downstairs with ducts under the crawl space. The client also added that they wanted each floor to have two zones and we were able to give the client everything they wanted. They had to lose a closet to get this accomplished and they were willing to compromise.

We, as Contractors, Builders and Designers need to learn how to adapt. If we don’t adapt are projects will be stalled. We can’t always rely on the plans. When the plans don’t work in practicality, we can’t just point fingers and tell someone else to solve the problems. The clients don’t want to know about the problems; they want a beautiful, brand-new house. It is our job to make that happen, and we need to take charge and solve these issues.

My biggest suggestions are let your voice be heard. If you feel something is not correct, voice your opinion. Every time I let something go that I knew was not going to work, it has always bitten me in the ass. Listen to your instincts and take charge and you will have less grief and be accomplished at your decision-making.