Once upon a time, on a site out in the middle of nowhere … there rose from the desert floor a new college classroom building.  The architects were confident, the owner hopeful, and the contractor diligent.  It was the architect’s first project incorporating BIM - but not all of the consulting team was participating in the model. 

Former CSI President Robert Johnson, RA, FCSI, Distinguished Member, CCS, CCCA, of the Albuquerque Chapter died last week.  In addition to his loving family, he is survived by many, many of the construction professionals who have called CSI their association home.  Robert was a one of the greats, and the good work he left behind in the form of standards and formats, certification exams, task teams, advice and encouragement, will be evidence of his presence here for years to come.   CSI was lucky to have Robert in our midst.

Pre-construction services has become a big part of my work as a general contractor, a trend that I believe is a big step in the right direction.  But it’s given me greater awareness of a situation that’s also been growing – subcontractors  who are called in to provide their expert advice regarding most appropriate product/system selections, maybe come to a couple of meetings, give some unit pricing for budget purposes.  These trade experts hope they will receive the job, that maybe we won’t even bid it out.  But we almost always do bid it out.  The project where competitive bidding isn’t necessary is a rare one these days.  Why doesn’t our industry pay consulting fees for this expertise?  The EXPERTS deserve to be recognized as such, and treated with the respect they deserve. 

‘Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the site,
Not a creature was stirring, not even the millwright.
The hardhats were hung by the heaters with care,
In hopes that the end of day soon would be there.