Every day, in everything we do, we are learning. It’s part of the human experience—we see, feel, touch, listen and interpret countless inputs we receive to arrive at thoughtful conclusions that expand our horizons and enable us to be better in facets of our work and our lives.

The electrical contracting professionals at RJ Martin Electric were extremely busy during 2019 on an array of projects in many different industries. In the course of our work, we have experienced, and we have learned. Here are some of the most significant takeaways from our work in the field during 2019.
 

Trust, honesty and reliability are paramount

Think about it: An electrical contracting firm that doesn’t have financial judgments against it, pays its bills on time, delivers accurate estimates, shows up to the job when it says it will, does the work it’s contracted to do, communicates clearly and regularly with the GC and other subcontractors and maintains a drug-free workplace and a stringent safety program is worthy of being trusted. And with so many variables in any construction project, it’s comforting (or put another way, one less worry) for GCs and end users when they can trust the electrical contracting firm they hire.

Related to trustworthiness, an honest electrical contracting firm sticks to their word, delivers work on time and on budget as per the specified work scope, doesn’t mince words and doesn’t renege on promises made.

Then there’s reliability. GCs and end users juggle lots of balls in the course of a construction project. One glitch, and you’re in jeopardy of dropping them all—and that means lost time and money. It’s crucial the electrical contracting firm you select is reliable in every sense of the word. That means:

• They show up when they say they will
• They perform work as per the contract specifications
• They respond in a timely manner to questions or concerns
• They work within time and budgetary constraints

An electrical contractor may tell you they’re reliable up front. How can you validate that? We suggest to GCs and end users that they talk to our current and past customers and ask them for candid assessments of how reliably we performed on their projects.
 

So is communication

At RJ Martin Electric, open and proactive communication is part of our DNA. We know that fallout from construction project delays – including overtime, lost days, liquidated damages and more – can impact the bottom line of not only GCs, but end users as well. That’s why we communicate regularly with GCs and their representatives throughout the course of an electrical construction project, as well as with other trades when appropriate.

Communication in electrical construction projects can be formal or informal. Generally, for us it occurs in four primary ways:

1. Written documentation. Written documentation not only protects us at RJ Martin Electric from damages either related or unrelated to our work, but it also gives GCs valuable insight throughout a project that helps them identify potential trouble spots they may otherwise have not known.
2. Scheduled meetings. Many projects have weekly coordination meetings where superintendents for each respective trade get together and discuss “two-week look-aheads.” These look-aheads give trades and the GC insight on which trade will be doing specific work at what point in time, and how that may impact other trades’ work and schedules.
3. Informal communication. As issues arise, subcontractors – be they electrical contractors or other trades – should always be proactive in communicating with GCs. It’s important to coordinate approaches and responses together with GCs as soon as they are identified.
4. Internal communication. Open and meaningful communication is crucial between an electrical contracting firm and the GCs and subcontractors they work with on a given project. Yet, the electrical contracting firm you select must have the processes, systems and culture in place that facilitate effective internal communication. You don’t want your electrical contractor causing delays by not ordering parts on time, not having access to the proper equipment or scheduling electricians on other projects during tight work windows.
    

GCs and end users appreciate accurate bids

General contractors and end-user construction supervisors have so much on their plates; one thing they don’t need is unwanted surprises that result from faulty or incomplete estimates. To ensure that our project estimates reflect the true scope of work we intend to perform, RJ Martin Electric utilizes state-of-the-art estimating software – Accubid® and Accubid LiveCount™ – for every electrical contracting project we pursue.

Our Accubid estimating software allows RJ Martin Electric estimators to access over 40,000 items and 9,500 assemblies online. Accubid LiveCount, meanwhile, allows RJ Martin Electric estimators and field supervisors to pull up drawings electronically anywhere, anytime. This helps improve data security by keeping plans in one secure and easily accessible digital warehouse; and it further reinforces accuracy and trackability of estimates and costs throughout the duration of a project.

For more information on our estimating process and resources, read our recent blog on this topic.
 

Training pays big dividends for GCs and end users

At RJ Martin Electric, we have always been, and will always be, 100 percent committed to thorough, ongoing training. We believe well-trained electricians offer general contractors (GCs) and end users the optimal combination of expertise, dedication and value.

Our training programs and initiatives focus on two key areas: vocational training, and safety training. A brief explanation of both is included below.

Vocational training: At RJ Martin Electric, all employees – not just electricians – are required to participate in training on a frequent basis. Our electricians have completed the state- and federally-certified apprenticeship program. Our electricians also participate in biannual NEC code updates and review to stay current on evolving code requirements. In addition, our project managers have attended the Electrical Project Management Institute, an intensive management education program, at Purdue University.

Safety training (see below)
 

Safety rules the roost

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: When you’re evaluating electrical contractors for your next project, the contractor you choose must maintain an established and comprehensive safety program that ensures workers are properly trained in all elements of safe work practices. This helps to mitigate jobsite accidents and keep project schedules and budgets on track. Anything less is unacceptable.

RJ Martin Electric places the highest priority on providing employees with a safe and clean work environment. In fact, you would have a hard time finding an electrical contractor with a more comprehensive safety program. How so?

• Our award-winning program includes comprehensive drug-free workplace education, training and testing.
• Our commitment to safety is underscored through our training and enforcement of company policy, state regulations and OSHA rules.
• A full-time RJ Martin Electric safety supervisor coordinates training, conducts jobsite inspections and internally enforces company, state and federal regulations.
• ALL of our electricians have completed the OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour Construction Safety and Health course.
• We establish a site-specific safety plan at the start of each project.
• Our Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is well below the 1.0 industry average.

Read more about the six critical components of our comprehensive safety program.

We hope this blog helps you understand the key lessons we learned during 2019—and how our experience and capabilities in the electrical contracting field can benefit you. If you seek an exceptional electrical contracting firm for your next industrial, health care, commercial, education or retail project, please call Robert J. Martin at 216-662-7100 or email rmartinjr@rjmartinelectric.com.