Page 10 - Flooring Specialist Summer 2021

COMMUNICATE!!

By Mike Stahl of Commercial Flooring Professionals, Inc.
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

ENERAL CONTRACTOR, Project Manager, Site
Manager, Contractor and Architect. These are the
Gmain characters on any given day, on any job site.
These five characters shape the path to be taken in the days
ahead. The path can be rocky or smooth depending on the
interaction of each individual and the group as a whole.

Let’s back up a few steps. How did we get here and what is
the end goal? The easy one to answer is the last. We desire
the project to be completed with little or no punch list and
a check in hand. Getting to that point can be rocky, very
rocky, even boulders, or the smooth path. Believe me, I
have never had smooth all the way, but very close at times.
What makes the difference?
It starts with a word…COMMUNICATION. That word
NEEDS to be present in EVERY phase of the process. From
the first plan take off, to the day the bid is submitted, right
up to the lights being turned out, and the door closed.
Don’t assume and don’t guess any step of that journey. Each
misstep throws a rock down on the path. Verify and confirm
what you don’t know or what isn’t clear. This will help to
eliminate unwanted change orders and delays in progress
when a contract has been signed and work engaged. You are
the expert in your field and you should be looking for those
missed materials or necessary and required procedures for
a proper installation. (i.e. moisture tests, substrate leveling,

transitions) GCs appreciate the COMMUNICATION of your
expertise. After all, they want a smooth project as much as
you do. Costly overruns and delays become a nightmare
and make everyone involved look poorly and the end user
disgruntled. This is also a good time to be checking lead
times on known problem products. COMMUNICATING this
may allow for a product substitution avoiding a delay later
once started.

Ok, we’ve submitted bids and yes! We’ve been awarded the
contract! Being the cowboy, I say, saddle up, the real journey
is about to begin. Timelines will be established for installation
start up and duration of each phase. COMMUNICATING
at the outset as to how realistic these may be is imperative.
If you feel more time will be required, now is the time
to COMMUNICATE that to the Project Manager. These
schedules will be constantly changing as work is being
accomplished. It’s critical to stay on top of material lead
times and installer availability with the changing schedule.
Daily COMMUNICATION with the site manager and your
crew is essential to keeping on track once the work has
commenced. Be willing to change your schedule and or work

10 Flooring Specialist Summer 2021