Just like things have changed for paint contractors since the onset of COVID-19, general contractors have had to deal with new safety protocols as well as field concerns and cancellations from clients – often while working with multiple trades and subcontractors at the same time.
Chirene Hughes, writing for the Farmer Brown Insurance Agency, recommends that paint contractors keep in closer touch with their GC than usual, If the GC will be making changes in schedule – which may result in delayed timing and even delayed payments – you’ll want to be aware ahead of time so there are no surprises. If there’s one thing we’ve grown used to, its quick change, so stay in touch!
The Same But More
Michael A. Bordes, certified general contractor and president of A.A. Jedson Company LLC in Rye Brook, New York, pointed out some changes his company has made as a result of COVID – some of which may already be familiar to you. While he has to space his workers father apart, what he won’t make room for is subcontractors who don’t want to abide by his company’s protocol. He anticipates hiring more painters, but only those who understand and manage the COVID rule expectations clearly. “We must display a lot of patience during these times without excuse,” he said.​

​Whether your crew agrees with the rules or not, all of you want to get paid at the end of the project, so make sure everyone understands what to do before they pull up to the job site. Bordes has a long list of changes. “You can expect to deal with the new COVID rules and regulations which means adding eye wash stations, cleansing stations, wash sinks, changing masks three times a day, wearing gloves and changing three times a day, waiting longer times for elevators due to only allowing two people at a time, and signing into daily safety logs for the bathroom,” says Bordes.
But wait… there’s more! “Job sites will need to have each employee with their own tools, no sharing,” Bordes continued. “There will be additional costs for safety measures and additional time allowances for work due to having only one worker per 250 square feet per job.” On top of that, he says, there will be additional time needed for bathroom cleaning after use … so don’t mess it up!
Bordes suggests assuring your GC that you’re on board. “Present a valid and comprehensive plan to any GC,” he recommended. “This will show them that the painter is valid and understands the rules clearly.”
www.aajedsoncompanyllc.com

This article is part of a series of conversations that Construction Dive editors are having with industry leaders about the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on their firms and their markets. To add your voice to the discussion, email us here.
Rye Brook, New York-based AA Jedson Co. constructs restaurants, fitness centers and stores in the New York area and beyond. Here, president Michael Bordes, talks about layoffs, material shortages and new types of work for his 40-year-old firm.
How has the coronavirus affected your firm?  
We had some non-essential projects put on hold temporarily, but thankfully we had some projects that we were able to continue because they were part of the essential work. Unfortunately I did lay off a majority of my office staff within a week of the outbreak. We've brought back about 70% of them so far.

How it works, when it starts, and who will be affected.New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has shared the first details of how and when the state plans to reopen businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy will include phased tiers and regions, with several complicating factors, so let’s break it down to what you need to know most.
When Will New York Start Reopening Businesses?Based on guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and headed by the newly formed New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board, the state will only begin the long process of rebooting its economy after a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate.
This means the plan does not have a specific start date, but rather is dependent on how soon social distancing, isolation, and treatment can slow the spread of the disease.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Weatherize Your BuildA properly weatherized home allows prospective buyers to envision life there in any season
By MICHAEL BORDES
The main goal for weatherization is to protect your home from the exterior elements and maximize the efficiency during household operation. A home that is located in the four-season areas has four reasons to weatherize.
Preparing to Weather the WinterWinter, in my opinion, is the most important, due to the severe cold temperatures, snow, cold rain, and winds, all of which can make for a very uncomfortable environment if the home is not weatherized properly. By having each home protected, it will also help in saving money on monthly utility bills. Items such as caulk, insulation for your walls and attic, weather stripping, roof shingles, siding, sealed windows and doors, etc., are all useful and important factors in keeping your home and family safe and comfortable.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

How AA Jedson Company Manages Challenges on Urban Projects

Best practices for working with small spaces & tight timelines
Urban space construction projects have different types of challenges, which propagate simply from the presence of construction itself and its proximity to homes and businesses. No one likes waking up to a neighbor hammering away early in the morning, or having a dinner ruined by loud concrete trucks delivering materials next door.

The experiences that the community may encounter, such as loud sounds, dust and smoke, all have stronger impacts on the project’s direction than what might affect a project in a rural or industrial setting, where neighbors might not be as close.

These factors increase the urgency on a construction project in an urban environment to get out of that negative impact moment, which can become costly or detrimental to the timely completion and success of the project. One solution to preventing, or at least mitigating, these situations is forming strong business relationships—the fundamental needle in the haystack of navigating these challenges. Comprehensive communication is the foundation to any great relationship, and effective follow-through is the infrastructure supporting that bond.

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Construction Business OwnerReady for the year ahead of us? It’s sure to be an interesting one. The United States economy is in one of its longest periods of expansion ever, unemployment is low and consumers are spending. Over the past several months, construction economists have fluctuated on their predictions for the year ahead before eventually settling on this: While the construction markets are expected to slow somewhat next year (current numbers are around 1.7% growth, compared to 3.3% in 2019), we aren’t heading into a full-blown recession.

TO READ FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Michael Bordes, President, AA Jedson Company, LLC
What advice would you give to those looking to enter the construction field?
Choose a field you truly desire. Make it your passion, and going to work will feel like a vacation! In my opinion, the best fields are engineering, energy conservation, alternative energy and technology.


What’s the hardest lesson you had to learn in your career?
The hardest lesson I had to learn would be following up—it’s so critical for every aspect of our business. The best way to catch anything missed or overlooked falls under following up. Every category of this business starts and ends here, and the sooner you learn this, the sooner it will pay off in experience, dividends and saved time.
 
AA Jedson has developed a reputation for superior service and excellence. How has it done so, and how can other construction companies establish a similar reputation?
Our ethics and work code make us stand out more than anything. We set a high bar and standards for ourselves; as far as planning, budgeting and scheduling goes, we stand out. We have found that the most important part of what we do is honesty. We have built a culture around ourselves as honest, hardworking and ethically correct, but we also are good listeners and value our clients.

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE