Ike's Newsletter September 27, 2024

Oct. 1 Summit on Scheduling – We Need You There
Issues facing you daily can only be positively addressed if you are part of the solution. We held a very effective session last year on change orders and now we are set to tackle scheduling challenges from both the GC’s and the Sub’s point of view. Next Tuesday, on October 1, 2024, Building Success Together: A Summit for General Contractors & Subcontractors will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott.  So far, we have not seen the attendance we expected. Please let me know why. Click here for more information and to register.  

PM Workshop Series
The 2025 Project Managers’ Workshop is now open for registration. Consider the PMs, APMs, Estimators and others in your company who could benefit from some of the best instructors in the DMV on subcontracting issues they face. Over the last few years we have fine tuned this biweekly workshop to cover the issues PMs face every day. Classes start at noon on Jan. 9th and run every two weeks for six weeks. Please register now because this has sold out every year for the last eight years. Click here for the curriculum and to register.

Report on 1099/W2/Wage Theft Event You should have been with us on Wednesday at Lerch Early & Brewer as Julie Reddig lead a very insightful discussion about protecting yourself from those attorneys who stand outside your job site looking for people who will let them charge you with wage theft. You have the US Dept of Labor, the Attorneys General in each jurisdiction of the DMV and General Contractors who are using consultants to make sure you are complying with all the wage and hour regulations. Here are some highlights:

  • Protect yourself with documentation if a sub you are using defaults or goes out of business. You will be responsible that all workers are paid. The penalties are horrendous.
  • Use sam.gov to make sure you are using the latest wage determination on prevailing wage jobs. The GCs and Owners do not necessarily have the up-to-date information.
  • Verifico and LCP Tracker are two systems used by our members to make sure their subs are in compliance.
  • Most GCs are now requiring subs to verify they and their subs are paying properly. Most will not use those subs who are not able to comply.
  • In some cases, you are going to have to train your subs to make sure they are following the law.  

Copies of the PowerPoints used are available to members.


Try a Gemba Walk

This article from Construction Dive explains how a Gemba Walk is a lean construction process that can improve scheduling, waste and other inefficiencies. This Japanese term which means “the actual place” is an open, positive way to address job site conditions rather than being confrontational.  

Top GCs
Building Design + Construction published its list of the top 150 contractors in the US. Most of them work in this area and many are part of ASAMW’s GC Partner Network. For instance, Whiting-Turner is number 2, HITT is number 13 and Clark is number 15. Gilbane and Balfour Beatty are in the top 50.  

Effect of Rate Cut
Members reported at the Sept. 25th SIE that the work picture is improving. This Construction Dive Article portends that the effect of the rate cut will start showing up later this year into next year.   

Job in Trouble
This Association has often proposed that a subcontractor should have a right to stop working if it is not being paid for work performed. However, currently in our area, there are contract clauses favoring owners and GCs requiring the Sub to continue working whether it is paid or not. This Article from Construction Dive gives us a lot to think about when we are not sure about the ability of an owner to pay.  

Hispanic Heritage Month in the DMV
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month we are partnering with the Metro DC Hispanic Contractors Association to bring our organizations closer together. On Oct. 23rd we will hold a joint meeting between our respective Boards to discuss working together. On Nov. 6th we are supporting an event to meet with some of the GCs in the area at the Historic Lobby at National Airport. On March 26th, 2025 we will support the DCHCA Gala in the District. Please put these dates on your calendar and join us as we support this valuable partnership. 

MEMBER UPDATES

It is a pleasure to welcome Winmar Construction in Reston to our list of General Contractor Partners. Edwin Villegas, Kelly Markland and Shawnda Gorostieta will be a welcome addition to our on-going work to achieve our mission. 

Safe Vehicle Operation:  Ryan Hogan with Preferred Insurance provides a helpful video reminding all employees of ways to avoid accidents, injuries and downtime. Click here and then click on the video.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 1, 2024 – Building Success Together: A Summit for General  Contractors & Subcontractors 

October 30, 2024 - Webinar - Too Much Risk, Too Little Profits: How contractors can beat the average and make the profits they deserve 

December 3, 2024 – Holiday Party

February 22, 2025  – Annual Subby Awards Gala

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