Note from our president

Building experts explore emerging technologies

Reno Contracting recently completed a series of Southern California Building Forums, entitled "Technology Trends in Construction." The Forums brought together building experts to host discussions on the technological innovations and challenges in the next five years. Participants included building owners, engineers, construction managers, architects and subcontractors, who came to learn more about Lean Construction, LEED, BIM and custom Timberline estimate and historic cost reporting systems.

Throughout the series we explored how these emerging technologies are used to solve the varying needs within our industry. The Forums were structured around a series of four presentations, with a question-and-answer period after each presentation.

Our presenters for the “B(uilding) I(nformation) M(odeling) and Lean Construction” were Simon Warner and Joe Mascari of Childs, Mascari Warner Architects, who co-founded the Southern California chapter of the Lean Construction Institute. The Lean process, originally championed by Toyota Production System (TPS), has been accepted in the manufacturing arena for decades. Lean thinking is based on the idea of eliminating waste thereby providing maximum value for the customer. The use of BIM for three-dimensional modeling and clash detection on the more complex projects consistently saves time and money and supports the Lean ideals.

Mechanical Engineer Paul McParlane of McParlane & Associates did an outstanding presentation on “LEED Today.” Rising costs and the growing green movement require an immediate and ongoing plan for the reduction in energy consumption and an increase in sustainable material use. McParlane & Associates is a leader in mechanical engineering and commissioning, helping clients reduce electrical costs by an average of 20% and finding incentives that help offset improvement costs. Reno has had the pleasure of being associated with Paul and co-owner John McGee for the last fifteen years.

Reno’s Ed Wenz presented “Timberline Cost Estimating and its Application in the Technical World of Construction.” Ed is the chairman of the AGC Technology Trends in Construction Committee and sits on the Board of the Associated Society of Professional Estimators. Ed has designed a custom Timberline estimating program to provide accurate cost

information from a large database. The program enables Reno Contracting to:

• Compare building costs side-by-side
• Automatically update older estimates
• Maintain a database of unit costs
• Generate meaningful, up-to-the-minute reports for our clients.

Reno will continue to host Southern California Building Forums bi-monthly, to address those subjects that
have a major impact on our industry. I welcome your input on future topics for discussion and your
participation, as a presenter or attendee.

Sincerely,

RENO CONTRACTING, INC.

Walt Fegley
President

If you would like to become involved or have topics for future Forums, please email us.

Your Close-Out Package Marks Just the Beginning

Reno Contracting will be rolling its Quality Assurance Program (RENO QAP), an ongoing maintenance and care program. The program will enable building owners and property managers to meet the increasing needs and cost-saving requirements of their clients. Through this added-value service, we offer our clients a higher level of care for the post-construction period.

We first formulated our QAP last year with the hiring of Bob Buchanan as Quality Assurance Manager. Bob, along with Director of Field Operations Erik Kissner, and Operations Coordinator Heidi Lambert are developing the program with an expected summer 2009 launch date.

The benefits offered by RENO QAP are:

• A series of protocols for each building system
• Hands-on training of facilities personnel
• A complete maintenance schedule
• Ongoing monitoring of maintenance schedule throughout warranty period
• Training and educational programs including Green Operations
• Provides efficiency and cost-effective solutions
• Extended warranty maintenance available

How Does It Work?

Reno holds a series of planning meetings between key individuals including the facilities’ management, construction personnel and manufacturer’s service representatives for the building’s component systems.

Too often, problems can occur within the various systems in any given property, and are usually dealt with from a reactive, after the fact position. The goal of RENO’s QAP is to be proactive and prevent the occurrence of these problems through a well-developed and comprehensive maintenance program.

“The program demonstrates an expanded and continued involvement to our valued clients,” stated Heidi Lambert. “Reno doesn’t go away with the conclusion of the construction process; we stay with our clients long after they take over the building’s operations. We are always available to address problems as they occur. Now, that commitment is being expanded to include the operations and maintenance functions of our client’s building ownership.”

• Download the RENO QAP brochure
  
  
• Contact Bob Buchanan, Quality Assurance Manager