Chuck Colwill
We all see communication disconnects between designers and builders every single day, so today we talk to one of Dad Campbell’s old running buddies, Chuck Colwill. Why Chuck? Because Chuck is an expert in the design-build approach that produces a much more nimble and efficient building team.
Chuck’s work with his firm, Colwill Engineering, is a great example of how to gracefully, creatively navigate the complications that come with supply-chain problems, bureaucracies, labor shortages, and other challenges. The firm’s use of design-build helps them execute projects with impressive efficiency. They’re prepared to handle all MEP work in a way that streamlines problem-solving.
Here are some of the insights Chuck shares:
Everything goes more smoothly when there is early and active communication between designers of a project and those whose hands will be moving the physical pieces.
Early communication helps everyone. (You’ll hear echoes of our discussion with
Ernie Maschner.)Whether it’s generators or flex duct, unexpected supply-chain complications create problems that can be easily solved by a team who is equipped to formulate quick work-arounds.
Client expectations haven’t changed much since Chuck and Dad Campbell were running together, so changing industry dynamics are forcing contractors to tighten up the process wherever we can.
Siloed organizations simply can’t compete with the agility of a well-managed design-build company.
Design-build firms do have some unique challenges. For example, it’s essential for their leadership teams to thoughtfully align the supply chains and manpower needs on multiple overlapping projects.
In the megaphone moment, Chuck coins the term “three-bid-itis” to describe the mess that leads to the cheapest guy building the most expensive design. Chuck says the solution to this problem is to go open-book with subcontractors so that a general contractor can go with the person he or she trusts and then move forward with confidence that things will be done well.
Learn more about Chuck and his company: Chuck’s LinkedIn - Colwill Engineering
