Masonry Magazine July 2001 Page. 8
CONTRACTOR
TO
CONTRACTOR
A Member's Perspective
Contractor to Contractor is submitted to bring contractors closer together. By sharing thoughts and ideas, mason contractors will find that we all have common bonds and can benefit by sharing with each other. Contractors featured in this column are all members of the MCAA and vary in size, type of masonry performed, and operations style. The purpose of the column is to bring out the common problems, concerns, and positive experiences in the industry. If you would like more information about having your company featured, please contact Jeff Buczkiewicz at 1-800-536-2225.
What is your biggest
challenge that you face
as a Mason Contractor?
The biggest challenge I face as a mason contractor, is the availability of qualified employees that are willing to work hard. Too many masons are only concerned about their pay rate and don't seem to care about the quality of work they produce.
If I could change one thing
about the industry, it would be?
If I could change one thing about the masonry industry, it would have to be in letting the owners and architects know that putting a schedule together on a fast-paced track only comes back and hurts the owner. When projects are put together in a hurry, a lot of the time the quality of the workmanship and the building itself goes down. I feel that if the government would put prevailing wages back into the public school system projects, this would upgrade the quality overall. They should realize that the "cheapest prices" aren't always the "best prices".
What do you like most about
being a contractor in the
masonry industry?
What I like most about being a mason contractor is the challenge of preparing and bidding a project. When that is successful, the next big step is actually putting the building together brick by brick as I pictured it in my mind. The whole process can be a great experience when dealing with the right kind of people.
What is the project you are
most proud of?
The project that I am most proud of is the "Ohio Department of Youth Services." This facility has 6 buildings in its entirety and was built in almost a years time. The interior contains concrete masonry units and the exterior had split face block, 8" high, 16" high, and some 24" high. While this job was going on, I had, between bricklayers and tenders, a total of 80 people. This was completed in approximately 13 months, on time, and within budget.
COMPANY: Peterson Construction
Company
LOCATION: Rt. 501 Norht
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
SALES VOLUME: $1-5 Million
Greg Schuerman