I just did a walk thru with a GC regarding a fire alarm system alteration for a tenant build out in an existing building. The job was originally bid and awarded 18-24 months ago. Something with the tenant delayed the start, all the subs have since walked since the agreement expired (no money changed hands). The building owner is a fairly large commercial property firm, but local.
There is a separate EC, I am doing the fire alarm only (complex system the main EC was put off with the need for all the technical details. I love being the detail guy!).
The extent of the information was a scale drawing of where the new walls would be. Nothing else. We all notice that a second means of egress from the larger room that will be reduced in size is missing. The room still needs two, its not shrinking that much. The official answer is get ready to do the work on what is on the plans. What plans? Oh you mean the floor plan, with no electrical, mechanical/plumbing etc. on it. Umm OK.
So I determine we have to add 6 speaker strobes, a pull station and move a few devices. 20% in pipe the rest in MC. Its about 16 man hours on site and say 8 hours to draw up plans, get them reviewed and then deal with the inspections. (the FD/inspectors in this city like to scream, yell and change their mind regardless of what is written down. There is a premium built in the price for this)
Oh, there are no as builts. I have to go through all the existing circuits identify each devices Wattage/current draw to determine if the existing system can handle the new devices) OR we just add a power supply for the same cost of me delving into the existing unknown. (Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance)
So I figure about $3600. ($1200 in parts and $2400 in labor/profit/headache upcharge)
I told you that story to tell you this part: I find out that the original number for the fire alarm only was $2300 (which was supposedly too high), and the building owner/tenant told the GC to go back and essentially beat down the subs since the economy has tanked, a better deal is to be had.
Beat down the subs......almost two years had past on the original numbers (inflation, CPI are negative numbers right???
).....lower the price that we know doesn't reflect what will be ultimately needed in the end.....the room is beginning to spin.....
WHO THE HECK DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE???
There is a separate EC, I am doing the fire alarm only (complex system the main EC was put off with the need for all the technical details. I love being the detail guy!).
The extent of the information was a scale drawing of where the new walls would be. Nothing else. We all notice that a second means of egress from the larger room that will be reduced in size is missing. The room still needs two, its not shrinking that much. The official answer is get ready to do the work on what is on the plans. What plans? Oh you mean the floor plan, with no electrical, mechanical/plumbing etc. on it. Umm OK.
So I determine we have to add 6 speaker strobes, a pull station and move a few devices. 20% in pipe the rest in MC. Its about 16 man hours on site and say 8 hours to draw up plans, get them reviewed and then deal with the inspections. (the FD/inspectors in this city like to scream, yell and change their mind regardless of what is written down. There is a premium built in the price for this)
Oh, there are no as builts. I have to go through all the existing circuits identify each devices Wattage/current draw to determine if the existing system can handle the new devices) OR we just add a power supply for the same cost of me delving into the existing unknown. (Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance)
So I figure about $3600. ($1200 in parts and $2400 in labor/profit/headache upcharge)
I told you that story to tell you this part: I find out that the original number for the fire alarm only was $2300 (which was supposedly too high), and the building owner/tenant told the GC to go back and essentially beat down the subs since the economy has tanked, a better deal is to be had.
Beat down the subs......almost two years had past on the original numbers (inflation, CPI are negative numbers right???
).....lower the price that we know doesn't reflect what will be ultimately needed in the end.....the room is beginning to spin.....WHO THE HECK DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE???
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