Got a builder for my new house. Got a mortgage. G.C. introduced me to my “site superintendent”. I thought it was rude to say, so what do you do here?
This is a custom builder with enough work to have 2 or 3 people with that title. Can you tell me what to expect? How do I relate to him versus the G.C, etc.?
Replies
he's the gc's representative on site.. he's where the rubber meets the road
find out if there are limitations in his authority
You would probably do all the dollar negotiating with the gc, and all the on-site discussions with the super. He will be your primary point of contact for all the subcontractors. Other than saying good morning or good job, you should plan to have the super present anytime you talk with a sub. You will create problems if you try to give direction directly to the subs.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
It's a fixed price contract, so except for the unexpected, then I guess I'll see the Site superintendent most often. And he'll become more familiar with the plans and specs than the G.C. I suppose.So, the various subcontractors' own supervisors actually report to the site superintendent?Any advice on how to not get on this fella's bad side?
Treating people with diginty, honor, and respect generally works.
Remember that all your contact should be with him. If he happens to be off the site, and you have concerns call him before you talk to the subs directly.
Don't abuse his cell phone number. Call him if you need to, but if you have a question after hours that can wait until the next day, wait.
I can do that. I'm edgy cause it's almost 3 hours roundtrip and I won't be getting there everyday. A lot of trust is involved here.
Ask him to send frequent pictures. Hopefully you saw some of their previous work beofre signing the contract. if you were happy with what you saw ... you gotta figure he has probably built more houses than you have, so trust him that he knows what he's doing."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I've been the site super more than a few times.
One thing I'd do is ask for a brief meeting to talk about the general rules. If possible I would start by asking for his ideas, and going by them. When is it convenient for you to call him? He may have lots of crew/sub dealings first thing in the morning, and want to talk around 11 AM daily, or somesuch. Find out and try to honor it. When will it be convenient for him to walk the job with you? Does he want a few hours' notice, a day's notice, etc.? Will he be managing another job simultaneously, or just yours? If so, can he be reached when not there? Does he do email at the site? Emailed photos?
The reverse also applies. When can you be reached? How much advance can he give you of decisions needed? One thing you are very much hoping for is that this company is very organized and you will not be called at 8 AM for a decision by 9 AM. You should already be making many choices and they should be guiding you.
Someone above mentioned not talking to his subs. True. NEVER leave him out of a loop, or you've left him off the hook. All communication goes thru the super. In fact I would ask him if there's anything where he's not #1, such as talk of money.
He's the pro--until proven otherwise--so let him run the job and do your best to provide info as needed.
he could be anything from site super to lead carp or lead ditch digger, depending on how much power the G.C. gives him. Test the water, He could be your next best friend.
Amen brother , say it again louder. (From someone who has worn the hat more than a few times)
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
The Site Super is the Top Dog of the Site. You should not even want to deal with anyone else. He/ She is the interface between the Architect and the GC; the Client and the GC; the Subs and the Client/ Architect. Greet him/ her as you greet the GC.
You should never speak to the Sub unless you are escorted to them by the SS.
The SS manages the Subs and the Scope of Work - two very different tasks. He/ She also helps manages the construction costs, in an advisory role, with the GC.
SS have rules/ operation methods. It is rare these are arbitrary, regardless of how casual they may look.
Don't tell them how to do their job, but never hesitate to state what your needs are. SS is a service profession and the good ones understand service. If a task/ job is done well or he/ she has accommodated a request, say "Thank You."
The job-site is your (future) home but it is the SS's place of business. Respect it as you would want someone to respect your place of business. Think - bringing friends to the site; introductions; respect of time needed to address something already in progress.
Frankie
Flay your Suffolk bought-this-morning sole with organic hand-cracked pepper and blasted salt.
Thrill each side for four minutes at torchmark haut. Interrogate a lemon.
Embarrass any tough roots from the samphire. Then bamboozle till it's al dente with that certain je ne sais quoi.
Arabella Weir as Minty Marchmont - Posh Nosh
Well, you're all very informative. I've learned alot during this whole process of preparing to build. I'm actually saving all ya'll have said so I can remember it later.Oh, and will my G.C. still drive by once in awhile? I read someone here wisecrackin' that some builder would just drive by and one time actually got out of his truck. Maybe he was talking about one of those big production builders. My G.C. usually meets me at Starbuck's, but maybe he'll get to the jobsite more once building is underway.
If the company has a good building program then you're pretty much done dealing with the owner. The super will build the house, the office manager will send you invoices.
Since you are so far from the build site I would set up a web cam on a near by pole. You can keep an I on things 24/7 from anywhere.
Excellent idea!!!
That is one of the nastier suggestions I have heard on this forum.
What is your problem with them? They can only see the out side of the house, there is no sound, and it can help deter vandals and thieves or at the least help catch them.
Two issues.
The first is one of basic privacy. People should be able to work on a site without being monitored or recorded. If you don't trust them, don't hire them. Would you like to be on camera while you work? I work alone a lot. I sing, sometimes dance. I do this for my own enjoyment, and would be mortified if it was providing entertainment for the Utube generation. This is an entirely separate issue from after hours security. If the camera was only turned on in the evening that's different than 24/7.
The second is that it circumvents issues of client site visits that are usually dealt with in the contract: The old "My rate is $30 an hour, $60 if you watch." Clients usually don't have unlimited access to the site in person during construction, so why should they be able to armchair quarterback through the Internet? Especially as this is a fixed sum contract, so how the contractor chooses to spend his time does not affect the price.
I would make sure any web cam somehow got broken
Site Super is your best friend or your worst enemy. They are the ones that have to tell you no. No we can't do that. He is the interface between the owner of the company (or salesman) that sold a dream. And told you yes on everything. The super has to make it work in the field. And with the office.
Ex: No, the floor is supposed to flex like that. We put the decking on 48 inch centers because this is a low end house and we are trying to save money so you can afford it.
But, he can do amazing things for you. If you are respectful of him and his time. He's got trades pulling at him all day long.
A couple beers (or cookies) at the end of a long week would make a lot of points with him.
A site superintendent is a good idea. That way the GC always has a rep there on site running things.
To many times a residential GC can't handle all the jobs he has because he can't be everywhere.
I've seen supers on commercial sites.
Will Rogers
I have seen site supers that know their stuff about every phase of construction and what they don't know they find out.... and I have seen the bosses son try to be a SS and bs his way out of not knowing a thing about building.
Pay close attention to what he says and take notes, you'll find out quick if you have the right one, because if you don't you want him gone ASAP.