The Construction Contractor's Digest

Matt,
Being that we are a new company, Noble Plumbing has found that the practices taught in your Estimating, Pricing, and Bidding class to be a very useful in our attempt to procure our first work. In particular the five rules to remember every bid day were very instrumental in all of our bids that we have put out so far. For us it was very important to not come in to low just so we could get some work and cash flow going. We have recently gotten our first job (the contract is over 3 million dollars) and we have the field and project management teams working in concert to make sure that all aspects of the job handoff will go smoothly with everyone involved. We are also looking forward to use the tracking procedures learned in class, this will allow us to know how the job is doing financially during the job’s entire duration. Thank you for all your help.

Rick Elder
Estimating Manager
Noble Plumbing, LLC
500 Montgomery Street, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22314

Matt,

In April 2005, I attended your Estimating Class, and came away with valuable information that I had not even thought about. As a small subcontractor, I have done things certain ways, based upon experience and evolution of processes. Yet, as I have utilized some of the things you presented, not only has it reinforced my estimating procedures, it has confirmed my competitiveness in the marketplace. Of course, all negotiation is a poker game. At best, you have plenty to work with. At a minimum, you know where you stand during the game.

Best Wishes,

Tim Phillips
Metro Framing LLC
Alexandria, Virginia
Email: timphillips@metroframingllc.com

Matt,

Just wanted do drop you a line to let you know how much I enjoyed your class.It was nice to see that what IM doing in my estimating is pretty much in line with the industry.I picked up a few items and changes that I wanted to make and having the discussions gave me the boost to get them started. The biggest impact was the discussion on getting computerized, you will be happy to know my software and digitizer will be arriving this week.Thank you for the up to date information, and I will be seeing you later this week at your next seminar on finances

Dave Conto
Heichel Plumbing
Orlando

Hi Matt:
It was fun going to a class I didn't have to test in. We really enjoyed it and you KNOW your stuff. Good practical stuff. Hope we see you again at another time. Georgia really is beautiful and has great weather.
best regards,

Laurel Hughes
Hughes Homes – Georgia
Email: hugheshomes5@bellsouth.net

Thanks Matt, but we are all set for now. We just took a few courses at the Orlando trade show and are pretty caught up on CEU's. Just for your info, the courses at the Trade show didn't even compare to your courses. We'll keep a lookout for you when it is time for some more classes.

Jay Krieger
V/P, AKC Inc.
661 8th Court
Vero Beach, FL 32962

Voice: 772-569-0059

Matt,

After attending your class in April, I left feeling very informed. Many of the topics covered in the class were ever discussed prior. Many of these topics are discussed on a daily basis now. I found the class easy to follow and very informative. I would recommend this class to other sub-contractors that we work along side on a daily basis.

Sincerely,

Andy Dickey
Accu-Crete, Inc.
andydickey@accu-crete.com

Matt:

I found the seminar to be very helpful and provided me some tools we actually put in place at SJ Louis. Your emphasis on establishing an overhead budget, which to some may seem unrelated to the estimating process, I found especially appropriate. I truly believe most estimators just add on an arbitrary percentage to their bids for overhead and hope for the best. The relationship between volume and overhead was also pertinent.

Not only at my current employer but at previous employment as well, we continually struggled with overhead allocations when we bid on jobs with substantially different cost components. Your presentation provided a methodology and evidence of how the successful companies actually accomplished this task. I think any true competitor only needs a level playing field and will let the chips fall where they fall. Your seminar enabled me to understand the field much better.

Moving the estimator to a true businessperson is really what companies who want to be in business long term want. Much of the link between the basic estimating process and the actual contracting business was revealed. Thank you

Mike Swanhorst
CFO
SJ Louis
Minnesota

Matt:

I spoke with Lois this morning in regard to upgrading my license to CGC. While on the phone I shared with her that the class this weekend past was the best I've attended to date. The subject material was well organized and professionally presented. The delivery was of interest and applicable to my business. I also shared that you represented Palm in a professional manner and were a credit to their organization. I look forward to sitting in another of your classes when the opportunity presents itself.

Thank you for the Loss Revenue Chart. It, along with other topics you presented, will be used as we review our progress.

Thanks, Matt, for a great weekend!

Yours truly,
Kip Bruner
President
kbruner@southwesternservices.com
Dear Matt

Thank you for your excellent presentation at Tuesday’s 12th annual DSF Consultants Conference. Including a nationally known presenter really adds to the value of the day’s program. A quick look at the evaluations indicated your program’s content and presentation were highly regarded by the engineers and architects attending the session.
Again thank you for working with ACEC Wisconsin

Carol Godiksen
Executive Director
ACEC Wiconsin

Dear Matt:

You conducted a very educational and informative session this weekend. To be
honest, it was THE most interesting seminar for CE that Palm has conducted
since 1998... touché to you and Palm.

I would most definitely be interested in attending your training sessions
for bid strategies, estimating and whatever curriculum you offer for
construction.

Please send your syllabus and schedules when they are available:

Mary Lou Norris
Jacksonville, Fl
904-387-2271
mln76613@msn.com

Matt ,

I just wanted to let you that the seminar on project management had a very positive impact on my field superintendent . He came away with a new understanding and appreciation of project control . I highly recommend these seminars for anyone that is in charge of scheduling manpower and material for any construction project .

Sincerely ,
Rick Bosanquet/Construction Manager
Mason-Florida LLC

Georgia PMA Convention Evaluation Results –
Contact Ellen Whitaker
Plumbing & Mechanical Association
Georgetowne Square, Suite D
3459 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd
Suwanee GA 30024-6427
770-271-9876
ewhitaker@plumbingpros.com

PROGRAM: “Improving Productivity”
DATE: June 19, 2004
INSTRUCTOR: Matt Stevens LOCATION: Hilton Head, SC

PMA received 26 evaluation forms from attendees of this program. Comments are included as well as actual ratings. 75% of the attendees rated this program as a 5 or 6 being the highest rating. Every one submitting an evaluation form (with the exception of one person) rated the program above or well above average. The number of respondents who gave the rating is in bold type.

RATING SCALE
Did Not Meet Average Highly
Expectations Quality Informative

OVERALL PROGRAM CONTENT:
1 2 3 - 1 4 - 5 5 -10 6 - 10

HANDOUTS AND VISUALS:
1 2 3 - 1 4 - 6 5 - 10 6 - 9

INSTRUCTOR:
1 2 3 4 - 5 5 - 10 6 - 11

WHAT WOULD MAKE THIS PROGRAM BETTER?
1. This was good, I would like to see more – (rated program a 5)
2. Could have continued longer than 2 hours required – (rated program a 6)
3. Much of topic driven around multiple day long duration projects, many projects a lot of us do, some of this not applicable to service/small projects – (rated content & visuals a 5, the instructor a 6)
4. Too much too quick – (rated program a 4)

WHAT OTHER PROGRAM TOPICS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

OTHER COMMENTS
1. This speaker has been the most informative I have heard @ PMA convention for Continuing Ed. – (rated program a 6)
2. Good material. A lot of reminders of basic stuff – (rated program a 5)

Convention Evaluation Results

PROGRAM: “Construction Negotiating for Dollars”
DATE: June 18 & 19, 2004
INSTRUCTOR: Matt Stevens LOCATION: Hilton Head, SC

PMA received 22 evaluation forms from attendees of this program. Comments are included as well as actual ratings. Half the attendees rated this program a 6 or “Highly Informative”, the other half of attendees (with the exception of one person) rated the program above or well above average. The number of respondents who gave the rating is in bold type.

RATING SCALE
Did Not Meet Average Highly
Expectations Quality Informative

OVERALL PROGRAM CONTENT:
1 2 3 - 1 4 - 4 5 -6 6 - 11

HANDOUTS AND VISUALS:
1 2 3 - 1 4 - 5 5 - 4 6 - 12

INSTRUCTOR:
1 2 3 - 1 4 - 4 5 - 5 6 - 12

WHAT WOULD MAKE THIS PROGRAM BETTER?
5. Get rid of exercise at beginning of session! – (rated program a 4)
6. Need a break in middle – (rated program a 6)
7. You’re doing a good job – (rated program a 6)
8. Specific tactics, so we can implement & have benefits. – (rated program a 3)

WHAT OTHER PROGRAM TOPICS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
1. How to better manage your employees – (rated program a 6)
2. Negotiation tactics – (rated program a 3)
3. Do D.I.S.C. program. – (rated program a 6)

OTHER COMMENTS
3. Matt did a really good job with the team assignments and interaction between the individuals. – (rated program a 6)
4. Excellent presenter – relates well to all! – (rated program a 6)
5. Informative, thanks. – (rated program a 6)