Change Order Payment

Washington state now requires contractors on both public and private construction projects to issue change orders within 30 days of completing additional work, with interest penalties and potential attorney fees for delays. This speeds up payment for subcontractors and suppliers, who are now included in the law's protections.  Here is an article that explains this new law in greater detail. 

Work Picture

• Data Center – if you are willing to travel to the Richmond area, DPR is starting a $240 million project to be completed in 2025.  The developer is Chirisa, a Dublin-based company. Here is more information from Construction Dive.
• Mixed-Use in Bowie – The Baltimore Sun reports there is a $1.3 Billion job called the South Lake Marketplace in Bowie, anchored by a Giant. One must be a subscriber to read the article here.

Prepare for Industry Event to Address Scheduling and Finishing Trades

The ASAMW Board has been discussing the major issues facing them so that we can bring the most valuable discussions in front of our construction partners that will positively impact your projects. They agree that scheduling is an issue that perplexes even the best companies. What we can do to improve scheduling for all the parties will be discussed on Sept. 24^th at the Bethesda North Marriott. Additionally, Finishing Contractors are particularly impacted by scheduling changes at the end of the project for which they do not get compensated.  What can we do?  Let’s get together to discuss strategies to accomplish fairness. Click here for more information and to register. 

What is an Independent Contractor?

If you think you have someone on your projects who is an independent contractor, then you could be liable for back pay and penalties. The article provided by ASAMW member CBM gives some good guidance on what to look for and protect yourself from any surprises.

It is highly likely that those you are calling independent contractors are immigrants. Comprehensive Immigration reform is not in the cards anytime soon, so employers will have to find a way to deal with the predominance of immigrant workers in construction. One study reports one in five people who are part of the essential workforce are immigrants. It is higher than that in construction in the DMV. Your board is wrestling with this issue. Your ideas are welcome.

ASAMW is Meeting with its GC Partners to Discuss Expectations

Some of ASAMW’s GC Partners are willing to share the thoughts taken from our discussions with them.  Just reply to this email if you would like a copy of one or more of the write-ups taken during the meetings. Forrester, Balfour Beatty and LF Jennings will share their comments.  Some recent take-aways include:

• Your (SUB) Foremen are not speaking up enough at scheduling meetings.  They should be empowered and trained to speak up about the effects on their schedules.
• Lenders are part of the problem in getting retainage paid promptly.
• Subs need to provide a punch list at the end of the job – not just wait for the GCs.
• Do not use “by others” in a change or other correspondence.  Name who the “other” is whom you expect to do the work.

Avoid Wage Theft on Your Projects

GC partner Balfour Beatty and non-member subcontractor C. J. Coakley are named in a lawsuit brought by at least 40 workers claiming unpaid wages, etc. by a subcontractor of C. J. Coakley. Unfortunately, when a sub is hired by another sub to perform the work, that sub’s wage theft is borne by the sub and the general contractor. This is explained in this Construction Dive article.  

ASAMW Awarded at National Convention

I was honored to receive the ASA Advocacy Award at SubExcel in New Orleans last week. This is a testament to the work our members do to ensure that we have the laws needed to protect our industry.

Additionally, since last week was Women in Construction week, Mary Whitlow, Kim Driggs, Rebecca Price, Patti Coen, Patty Peterson, Heather Asbury, and Karen Barbour were photographed with the women at the ASA SubExcel Convention to honor Women in Construction. See the photo here.