Learn How the Right Electrical Trade Partner Helps Mitigate Your Risks
The electrical system is one of the most critical scopes in many new construction projects. Because most of the other systems need to be energized to operate, on-time electrical system delivery is vital. Today's market conditions also bring significant challenges that can dramatically impact the project budget and schedule. An experienced and qualified electrical trade partner can walk the team past the potential pitfalls and guide them through the process to avoid unwanted project challenges and changes. Here are some challenges that can be mitigated by selecting the right trade partners.
Longer Lead Times – The lead times for critical electrical equipment have been extended to as long as 60 to 80 weeks. As suppliers are challenged to honor manufacturing, shipping, and delivery dates, longer lead times are becoming a certainty, and they can disrupt the critical path of powering a project on time. Here are several ways that a team can avoid longer lead times and reduce their impact on projects:
- Including electrical trade partners in the design process, either in a design-build or design-assist role, will bring their knowledge of vendors and manufacturers early in conversations and planning. In collaboration with the engineering team, the electrical trade partner can determine the building loads that dictate the necessary electrical equipment early and identify long-lead items.
- Early Procurement can make a huge difference in the project schedule. Being already part of the team, the electrical trade partner can quickly complete the submittal and approval process. Once the team selects the gear, it is key for the trade partner to be in close touch with vendors to ensure they understand deadlines.
- An experienced electrical trade partner keeps the project team up to speed on the changing state of the supply chain so that the team understands its impact on the project and how it could affect other specialty contractors. They can also offer nontraditional procurement options. A reputable electrical trade partner has strong and trusted relationships in the industry and can leverage them to help find creative solutions to manage the longer lead times that have become the norm.
Price Escalation – In the last several years, price estimates for critical electrical equipment have been valid and held for a limited time, some only valid for five to ten days. In a world where lead times can be as long as 80 weeks, and price escalation is constant, finalizing the price before it increases has become critical. Involving an electrical trade partner early in the design and procurement phase will allow the team to finalize the design and scope early so the prices can be locked in early in the design process and reduce the negative impact of price escalation
Project Schedule in a Box – Involving the specialty contractors in creating the overall project schedule can positively impact the project's efficiency and delivery and avoid unplanned delays. If not managed right, these delays can accumulate over the project's life and require much work to be completed in a rush in the final weeks to make the deadline. Teams quickly learn that the old philosophy of "we'll make it up at the end" doesn't result in an efficient and quality project.
Besides sequencing, material, and workforce planning, including the trade partners in a collaborative process gives them a sense of ownership. It fosters a spirit of teamwork on the project, leading to a faster completion time, higher quality work, and greater accountability.
Labor Shortage in the Construction Industry – As the demand for new construction grows, so does the need for more trade labor. With fewer young individuals choosing a career in the trades today and an aging workforce retiring from construction in large numbers, there is a talent shortage in the construction industry. This places more and more pressure on the existing labor, creating delays, higher labor costs, and compromised quality.
Innovative trade partners can help you face the labor shortage in several ways.
- Structure teams to encourage collaboration between design partners, equipment vendors, general contractors, and all other stakeholders in the project.
- Use advanced software tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) to support the foreman with accurate, real-time onsite data that enhances visualization, coordination, and communication. This will enable the team to complete work quicker and accomplish more with fewer workers.
- Utilize and encourage prefabrication in all phases of the project. Trade partners with a strong and reputable prefabrication process can significantly impact delivery time and installation. Quality is also something that it can be controlled with this process.
- Electrical specialty contractors who lead the industry actively recruit, train, and retain high-caliber employees so they remain adequately staffed to take on new client projects.
Meeting the Standards of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – Whether it is the building inspector, the fire marshal, or the local building department, failing to meet the codes and standards of authorities having jurisdiction can have major negative impacts on the project including stop work orders, project modifications, fines, and penalties, or even legal action.
Having an electrical specialty contractor on the team who understands and works with the AHJ in the early stages of the project can significantly mitigate these risks. It will help the team understand expectations and requirements in the design phase and avoid failing inspections later in the project.
Safety Protocols and Training – Lack of adequate safety protocols and training increases the risks of accidents, workplace inefficiency, decreased morale, increased insurance costs, and loss of skilled workers. Partnering with a specialty contractor with a strong safety culture and track record should be one of the early selection criteria for a project. Working together early in the project to align everyone's vision of the scope and schedule is vital in creating a safe working environment. When paired with proper training and open communication, this alignment puts the entire team in sync. Monthly and weekly coordination meetings allow all trades to communicate, collaborate, and hold everyone accountable for prioritizing safety.
Budgeting and Control – Lack of effective early budgeting may lead to cost overruns, potentially straining available resources, causing delays, and jeopardizing the project's financial viability. During the design phase, it is critical to direct the financial resources to the scopes of the project that are most critical to successful delivery without compromising on the quality in other areas. This allows the project team to achieve the client's objectives while staying within budget. During design, trade partners can track and update the cost as the design progresses.
Inexperienced Contractors – Hiring an electrical specialty contractor with the needed experience in a specific type of work and scope is also a key factor in the team selection. A reputable firm will have an established Quality Assurance/Quality Control plan and include the team in the process to monitor the quality of the work as the project progresses. This strict attention to quality assures the work is done right the first time, eliminating repairs, redoes, and, as a result, change orders.
The Value of the Single Point of Contact - Working with a single point of contact from the beginning of a project to the end gives the team consistent communication, a complete and shared understanding of the project and enhanced collaboration. The project needs are seamlessly translated into the construction process, creating unquestionable accountability for the team.
Integrating a top-tier electrical trade partner into a project design team is essential for mitigating risks during design and construction. With over 38 years of experience and eight divisions covering all electrical and Technology contracting aspects, Hunt has a proven track record of helping owners reduce project risks.
Our eight in-house divisions offer a single point of contact and accountability for any project. This includes a 24/7 team of electrical technicians to take over and handle the inevitable small additions, moves, and changes that arise in newly constructed buildings. Our team employs a cradle-to-grave approach, managing every project from inception to completion. Our experienced project managers, when part of the delivery method, attend design meetings and perform ongoing cost estimates as the project is designed to ensure projects stay within their set budget.
Hunt specializes in a variety of project types, having successfully delivered hundreds of projects across commercial, industrial, hospitality, manufacturing, mission-critical, and healthcare industries. Our in-house VDC Department leverages the latest software to identify and resolve design clashes before they become construction issues. Our pre-construction team collaborates closely with project managers to assess and prefabricate components efficiently in our dedicated spaces, mitigating the challenges our industry faces regarding qualified trade labor. Our company is a founding member of a newly accredited electrical trade school, creating opportunities for better education and a more balanced life for our apprentices. We also collaborate closely with the respective trade schools of every market we serve.
Safety is our top priority, followed by a commitment to client-focused delivery. Our goal is to secure a project and earn lifetime customers. We hope to be your trusted trade partner for future complex and critical projects.