Is it all or nothing for new D204 high school?

[harry]

bob said:

If it was BB or nothing then why not just accept the jury's decision?

patience......

[bob]

harry said:

bob said:

If it was BB or nothing then why not just accept the jury's decision?

patience......

huh?

[gumby]

I have to agree with that sentiment as well. I interviewed some contractors recently for our basement finishing and ground level wood floor installation, and the rates were very good and certainly better than last year when I had estimates done (I'm glad I waited!). All the contractors (except for one) said that their businesses were dead slow and they were getting very little work.

Is residential building activity not related to commercial building activity at all? It would seem that it would have to be.

[doctorwho]

harry said:

doctorwho said:

It appears to me that BB was not going to negotiate at almost any price, but who knows....

my biggest fear is that the new school - at an inferior site ( by their own admission from the first analysis ) will go up and cost more than BB would have by the time it is done. I hope that is not the case - but time, and costs, wait for no one.

Because of the housing slump... aren't their builders clamouring to work 'closer to the vest' just to get work so therefore building should be cheaper at present???

talking to a friend in the industry ( father in law is majot home builder), although it seems like this would be a true statement - the cost of materials to them, and the delivery of said materials is skyrocketing - and don't forget much of hte work is sub contracted out. Builders are making sure their own employees have work - but beyond that, being very careful with commitments

[doctorwho]

gumby said:

I have to agree with that sentiment as well. I interviewed some contractors recently for our basement finishing and ground level wood floor installation, and the rates were very good and certainly better than last year when I had estimates done (I'm glad I waited!). All the contractors (except for one) said that their businesses were dead slow and they were getting very little work.

Is residential building activity not related to commercial building activity at all? It would seem that it would have to be.

The reason you're getting better rates is you have carpenters etc without employment from the major builders on contracts right now - and they will charge less to keep working. I have some work being done next Monday on my windows that I put off for a year - that will cost me about 30% less than the bid I got last year - but that is because the person doing it last year, really had no time to do it

[momof3]

I am assuming BC interviewed MM and SD to "catch up " with the DH that did it earlier.

Another "plant" to put the public on notice that we will have new boundaries imo.

Regarding building costs - oil is high and the dollar is weak; I'm not surprised material costs are increasing.

[harry]

momof3 said:

I am assuming BC interviewed MM and SD to "catch up " with the DH that did it earlier.

Another "plant" to put the public on notice that we will have new boundaries imo.

Regarding building costs - oil is high and the dollar is weak; I'm not surprised material costs are increasing.

Materials have been on the increase since Katrina no doubt

However,,,(and I am not an expert) aren't labor costs always more expensive than materials needed ??


It seems to be that way for building additions, car parts, appliance repairs, etc...Point being, materials may rise, but labor (the bigger portion of the bill) is way lower.

[doctorwho]

harry said:

momof3 said:

I am assuming BC interviewed MM and SD to "catch up " with the DH that did it earlier.

Another "plant" to put the public on notice that we will have new boundaries imo.

Regarding building costs - oil is high and the dollar is weak; I'm not surprised material costs are increasing.

Materials have been on the increase since Katrina no doubt

However,,,(and I am not an expert) aren't labor costs always more expensive than materials needed ??


It seems to be that way for building additions, car parts, appliance repairs, etc...Point being, materials may rise, but labor (the bigger portion of the bill) is way lower.

Especially for union workers - please explain how labor cost is lower. With double digit health care increases to workers and mandated raises, I am not seeing how that is true.

According to the latest measurements of construction costs calculated by RSMeans, the rise in U.S. labor rates (+2.3%) quarter to quarter in July 2007 (i.e., versus April 2007) was a little higher than it was for material inputs (+2.0%). During the latest construction cycle, material costs have almost always increased faster than the installation or labor component. The latest result suggests that contractors will have to pay more attention to labor markets in the period ahead.

labor costs are rising even faster than materials: Here is a builder web site:

www.buildingteamforecast.com/article/CA6486846.html?industryid=43720

[momof3]

doctorwho said:

harry said:

Materials have been on the increase since Katrina no doubt

However,,,(and I am not an expert) aren't labor costs always more expensive than materials needed ??


It seems to be that way for building additions, car parts, appliance repairs, etc...Point being, materials may rise, but labor (the bigger portion of the bill) is way lower.

Especially for union workers - please explain how labor cost is lower. With double digit health care increases to workers and mandated raises, I am not seeing how that is true.

According to the latest measurements of construction costs calculated by RSMeans, the rise in U.S. labor rates (+2.3%) quarter to quarter in July 2007 (i.e., versus April 2007) was a little higher than it was for material inputs (+2.0%). During the latest construction cycle, material costs have almost always increased faster than the installation or labor component. The latest result suggests that contractors will have to pay more attention to labor markets in the period ahead.

labor costs are rising even faster than materials: Here is a builder web site:

www.buildingteamforecast.com/article/CA6486846.html?industryid=43720

I don't know about a commercial construction slowdown. All you have to do is go to the West Loop / South Loop / Streeterville and all you can see are cranes and new buildings going up. Block 37 is finally under construction. After 20 years. Now that says something!