Labor pressures right now are leading to new and different innovative processes and programs. And, as Steve Atwood, vice president of construction at Taylor Morrison points out, it doesn’t surpass the importance of treating the contractor with respect—his key to building a long term mutually beneficial relationship with contractors.
Atwood, partnered with Carol Thompson, national director, strategic sourcing – East at Taylor Morrison, on the NEXTadventure project and here they talk about labor for this special project and how they manage on a day-to-day basis.
They stress the importance of not only a respectful relationship, but one that is based on consistency and volume. Their trade partners appreciate the steady stream of work and are always ready and willing to go the extra mile for Taylor Morrison based on this steady stream.
They also have integrated a system of geo-podding for their contractors. Thompson explains that they connect trade partners with the projects that are within a certain mile radius to limit the expenditure of resources. Trips to the job site, especially when they are mobilizing large equipment, can be one of the most expensive parts, so keeping the contractors close to their work makes a large pay off for both the contractor and Taylor Morrison.
Along with geo-podding, Atwood and Thompson have a formula for when and how to use single-source contractors.
The NEXTadventure was an adventure for the team on the ground as well. As s show home, the time lines were tighter than average and Atwood had to manage and coordinate all the trades on an hourly schedule as opposed to a daily schedule. Plus, as a more public project than most, there had to be a lot of coordination with the executive management team and the other partners involved.
Regardless of the project and regardless of the timeline, there still is a glaring issue of talent in the industry. Atwood says that some contractors are training on the job, but it doesn’t equate to having a skilled tradesman who comes to the job site knowing and understanding how to do the basics. This is a larger issue that faces every builder in the industry.
For more insight into the NEXTadventure project, visit www.builderonline.com/nextadventure
