Masonry Magazine October 2001 Page. 12
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?
We find it increasingly hard to find good customers who desire quality projects. Too many customers expect speed and low prices and then get upset when the project doesn't meet an undefinable level of quality. We find it even more difficult to find educated customers who understand the intricacies of masonry and simply do not understand what it takes to deliver a quality project within budget and on time. Masonry can deliver all of those quality, on time, and within budget, unfortunately, too often the customer places demands on us to make changes to schedules or materials that truly put us at a disadvantage. I think our greatest challenge is to educate all of our customers to understand and appreciate masonry.
If I could change one thing about the industry, it would be?
If I could change one thing about our industry, it would be to level the playing field so that all mason contractors would have to play by the same rules. Too often we are pitted against contractors that don't follow the same safety rules, estimating and bidding rules, workforce rules and even the rules of expectation. Sometimes customers expect more from us than other contractors because they know that we can deliver what they expect.
What do you like most about being a contractor in the masonry industry?
I like accomplishing a difficult project and not having to be ashamed later at delivering a poor quality job. I love being able to point out to friends and family the beautiful projects that we are proud to tell we created. I love knowing that other generations will look at projects that we have done and marvel at the workmanship. And I especially love when we all work together as a team to deliver a quality job on time.
COMPANY NAME: WASCO, Inc.
CONTACT NAME: Andy Sneed
LOCATION: Nashville, TN
TOTAL VOLUME: $30 million