The Core Values of a Successful Construction Project

Do you understand why you hold the values that drive your decisions?

This may seem a bit philosophical for a discussion on construction projects. But it’s imperative.  Foundational! Hear us out…

If you are unaware of the values that influence your decisions, you may find that you built your building on shifting sand instead of a rock-solid foundation.

The principles you prioritize are what the decisions you make are built on.

Defining What “Safe” is in a Successful Construction Project

Construction projects are high-risk, high-reward propositions.  For most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Communities – generations – will be impacted by your construction project.  The ripple effect is so far-reaching it’s difficult to quantify.

This makes safety a high priority.  Not only for the work and workers but also in the decision-making process.  Which brings us back to asking the right, penetrating questions.

• What is “safe” in building construction?
• Whose safety do you need to consider?
• What safety factors are commonly overlooked?

From our experience, ‘safe’ for our customers means providing the best value for your construction project. This includes starting on time, finishing on budget, and setting you up for long-term success.

When you’re in the driver’s seat of making decisions on a construction project, you must keep the big picture in mind, such as:

• Donors
• Financing
• Neighbors
• Community
• Future Generations
• Handicap Accessibility
• Accommodating Future Growth
• Current Functionality

Since 2004, we’ve guided churches and schools through these big-picture items and completed construction projects safely.  Having your team on the same page of what matters most in a construction project is paramount in getting projects to the starting line – and – across the finish line.

Build Your Construction Project on a Strong Foundation: 3 Essential Questions to Ask

Values determine priorities – and that’s what makes decisions for you.  This is true personally and for the construction companies you hire.

Many construction companies are built on priorities that don’t match the values of churches and private schools.

If you only see the tip of the iceberg, you’ll overlook the deeper issues – the values – and end up in a situation that’s frustrating, unnecessarily expensive, and cumbersome over the long haul.

We regularly see this play out with three common sales points that tend to overvalue unnecessary expenses.

1: Is Self-Perform Contracting a Better Value for You?

This is the one-stop-shop version of construction.  No subcontractors.  Every aspect of the build is handled by one company – including labor, equipment, and materials.

Self-performing construction companies offer some benefits.  Simplicity in communication is one.  However, we’ve found self-perform contracting to be a significant disadvantage in several ways.

Self-Performing Contracting Often Requires Union Laborers

By no means are we anti-union.  We simply believe you ought to have a choice.  Consider the disadvantages of working exclusively with union laborers:

• Union workers typically come at a 15% premium. That is an additional 15% charge on the cost of labor.
• Union contracts can’t entrust work to volunteers or small business owners within your community. This limits the cost reduction advantage of volunteer work.

Self-perform contracting increases cost – and decreases community involvement.  Which may be okay, even desired, if you’re building a for-profit commercial space, like a hotel.

But if you value building more than a structure and desire to build a community, self-perform contracting will work against some of your values.

Self-Performing Contracting Excludes Subcontractors

Hiring and coordinating subcontractors for a project can require more decision-making.  Subcontractors can offer several significant advantages.

• Subcontractors can leverage competitive pricing
• Subcontractors arrange schedules efficiently

Well-scheduled subcontractors keep prices down and projects on time.  Self-perform contracting simply cannot prioritize pricing and productivity in the same way.

2: Is State-of-the-Art Technology Required for Your Construction Project?

What tool do you need to fasten an outlet cover to an outlet?  Just a screwdriver.  No one should use a hammer drill for that task!

And yet, this is the approach many construction companies take when selling clients on state-of-the-art technology their systems offer.

Many private schools and churches do not require the level of technological sophistication that a downtown luxury apartment complex does.

We know the difference.

Churches and private schools are usually constructed so that their building’s common issues can often be corrected internally.  Either by paid staff or qualified volunteers.

When you are sold a technology system that requires expert engineers to fix, you can’t address the issue alone.  You must hire professional help – even for preventative maintenance.

Over time, this will cost you more in time and money.

We’re not opposed to integrating high-end technology into our projects.  We simply want you to have the option to choose the level of technology that meets your needs and matches your values.

3: Will Engineering Expertise Be Required for the Life of Your Building?

Some construction companies flaunt the expert engineers they bring to the project.  This selling point is often tied to the high-end technology the company offers to build with.

As we’ve seen, this technology does not necessarily benefit schools or churches.

It is a value system that leads to making different decisions that cause frustration for many churches and private schools.  Cutting-edge technology that can only be serviced by high-end engineers results in long-term challenges, added costs, and may not add significant value to the actual construction project.

Cutting-edge technology:

• Does not build the building faster
• Won’t eliminate change orders
• Can’t decrease costs
• Makes you dependent on outside support for years to come

At Catalyst Construction, we build on a different set of values.  We build on purpose. 

What We Value Most In Your Construction Project

We see you. We’re here to advocate for you.  In many ways, our company is built to build your dreams.

Here’s what we value in a construction project:

Trust

We’re invested in our community. The awards we’ve won and the commendations we’ve received speak for themselves. Perfect 5-star Google rating, anyone?

Experience

Not all experience is created equal. We understand the diverse needs and values of public, private, for-profit, non-profit, and faith-based organizations.  Our broad expertise allows us to meet you where you’re at, not where our bottom line needs to be.

Flexibility

Utilizing a network of quality subcontractors empowers us to overcome the inevitable challenges and setbacks of construction in various ways – while maintaining competitive pricing.

Stewardship

We embrace our responsibility to the Greater Society. Our projects impact lives and society long after the construction is complete.

Creativity

Inflation can cause projects to stall, market volatility busts budgets, and loans can become more challenging to secure.  We have the skill set, connections, and courage to seek creative solutions when projects are threatened.

Options

Not every project, and not every aspect of every project, requires top-of-the-line solutions. Our process allows you to choose from “good, better, or best” within every aspect of your construction project.

Ready to Get Your Construction Project Started?

Values are foundational to a successful construction project. How can you tell if your values match your contractor’s? What might happen if your values – or your client’s – do not line up?

Before beginning a construction project, it’s essential to determine if a construction company is built on what you value most. If not, you will find yourself frustrated, confused, behind schedule, and saddled with expenses you shouldn’t have to worry about.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.  We can help ensure that what you value most is what your next building project is built on.

Reach out today for a free consultation!