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 What’s my
new office building going to cost? How much will my
new home cost to build or renovate? Should I be
sitting down when you tell me?
Outside of industry participants, or those whose
work involves the purchase, planning or oversight of
building projects, few individuals are equipped to
effectively measure the prevailing cost of
construction in their local market. In some areas,
where accessibility to labor and material is
limited, additional challenges exist. Navigating
through the building permit process often adds an
element of intrigue. Attempting to measure the final
project cost and establish a timeframe to accomplish
building goals under such circumstances can be
problematic for the industry professional… and an
extreme challenge to the inexperienced outsider!
Trumbull-Nelson’s eighty-eight year longevity and
success in the northern New England business
community can be partially attributed to a clear
understanding of its resources and capabilities, and
those resources available through the wider
subcontractor community. Company management
personnel are aware of what it takes to meet
exacting project requirements. Some contractors
‘fail’, or prove woefully inadequate in construction
management performance because they fall short in
meeting the resource needs of customers and clients.
Inevitably, the project is understaffed and
mismanaged, and the all-important project budget and
schedule go by the wayside. The work is eventually
completed, but not without customer aggravation and
frustration. Such scenarios play out all too often.
Clients who find themselves in such a position
become less trusting of the contractor community.
Unfortunately, those industry participants who value
professionalism are colored with paint from the
‘broad brush’ of resentment.
A buyer of construction services need not be an
expert in the task of securing labor and materials,
or have estimating experience. There are credible
organizations, like Trumbull-Nelson, to help with
the task. Most people within the contractor
community take pride in their commitment to service
and professionalism. No client ever wants to be put
in the uncomfortable position of basing expectations
on an unrealistic contractor promise. And no
legitimate contractor wants to over-promise, and
under-deliver. As noted, an inability to deliver on
promised results taints the reputation of the
contractor candidate, and the industry. By active
participation in the qualification process,
customers can achieve more predictable results. They
need to ask questions of candidates to establish who
will do the work, what exact management resources
are available to them throughout the project, and
how they can be assured that the project will be
finished, on time and on budget.
At T-N, we value each additional business
opportunity. But incremental business must be able
to meet the higher standard of superior customer
service and professionalism before we sign on to the
task. It’s a policy that is well understood by our
management personnel, and one that helps keep us
connected to our many valued clients.
Trumbull-Nelson is working on projects in a variety
of locations this summer. Work will begin shortly on
two prominent Lebanon, NH, projects: Dartmouth
Regional Technical Center, at Centerra Resource Park
and Sachem Graduate Student Housing. Groundbreaking
ceremonies were recently held at Proctor Academy, in
Andover, NH, for another T-N project; an addition to
the Academy’s Music Building. Interior renovation
work has started at Plymouth State University, in
Plymouth, NH, on the Hartman Union Building. New
building construction has also been started at
Crossroads Academy, in Lyme, NH, and the Company has
begun work on two separate additions to P.J. Noyes
Company, in Lancaster, NH.
We hope that you are enjoying the wonderful summer
months, and enjoy this issue of Constructive Images
magazine. If we can help you with any building and
renovation plans in the months ahead, please give us
a call.
Sincerely,
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