DENVER — In response to rising construction costs Skender, a design and advanced manufacturing and construction firm with offices in Chicago and San Francisco, just released their report “101 Ways to Build Smarter.”
The 18-page eBook, available for download is a resource filled with quality-enhancing and value-optimizing possibilities for building owners, developers, architects, brokers, contractors, corporate real estate and workplace executives, and all those involved in the building process.
As the first report of its kind, Skender’s report includes 101 tips for quality-improving and value-increasing possibilities for building owners, real estate and workplace executives, developers, contractors, brokers, architects and all those involved in the building process.
“We recognize how essential it is that everyone involved in a new building look for innovative ways to deliver high-quality projects while stemming the tide of rising construction costs affecting projects across the country,” said Mark Skender, CEO at Skender. “In this eBook, we are sharing some of the best practices we’ve learned with our clients and project partners over the past six decades, including tips for all construction projects as well as more specific ideas for several industry verticals, such as office interiors, multifamily, higher education and healthcare. Many of these ideas have inspired us to revolutionize how the industry builds through our recent vertical integration.”
The following four ideas, sampled from the report, can enhance efficiency and improve quality across all commercial developments.
- Lock in pricing to hedge against rising interest rates. In an inflationary environment, lock in materials and equipment costs as soon as possible. As prices escalate, it often pays off to pre-purchase materials to avoid price hikes.
- Build lighter and smarter. Sometimes owners ask for materials and equipment that are larger or more powerful than the anticipated use requires. Your contractor may know of a less expensive way to get the job done.
- For owners, installing smart tech now can mean big facilities management savings later. Installing certain technologies that represent cost increases during construction can deliver large future savings, such as remote programming of HVAC and security systems.
- Go Lean. Start by hiring an integrated design and construction team with experience in Lean Construction, our industry’s take on the Toyota Way. These pros will share a focus on reducing wasted materials, time and labor costs.
Skender specializes in design, construction and building component manufacturing for the healthcare, multifamily, hospitality, office, corporate interiors, higher education, retail, senior living and affordable housing sectors; the report touches each one of these industries.