Once upon a time, a man moved into a new home. He liked his house and his neighbourhood, but there was one thing he could not understand—the dog in the next backyard kept howling, day in and day out. After a week of this non-stop noise, he rang his neighbour’s doorbell to see what was going on.

Here I sit, faced with the challenge of writing my final President’s Message. It couldn’t have come at a busier time—the spring construction season is on us, I am setting out on a visit to CSC’s Vancouver Chapter, our association’s conference in Halifax approaches, and I’m already excited for the long-awaited golf, fishing, and cottage seasons.

As I near the end of my term as president, I reflect on my 13-year journey through CSC’s Atlantic Chapter, Board of Directors, and Executive Council. My experience has been immensely rewarding, especially compared to similar involvement in other groups. I found myself asking, “What is it that makes CSC so different?

I’ve never been part of a group as efficient as CSC. Beyond our volunteer members, our association office staff contributes to this success. While it is their ‘job,’ I see how they perform it with such passion. They are ‘behind the scenes’ for many, so I’d like to share their roles.

Contractors want a smooth construction process, free of endless questions and revisions. However, when you combine their sharp pencils and acceptance of unrealistic deadlines with a consultant’s inadequate budget and schedule, risk levels escalate. Like the consultant discussed last issue, the contractor may not be able to provide his A-team (including top subcontractors), affecting delivery and quality of construction.

As I mentioned last month, consultants often find themselves agreeing to subpar fees and unrealistic delivery schedules despite the associated risk. These factors impact not only their services, but also the quality of the construction documentation. When time and budget run short, something has to give.

After 30 years in this industry, I would like to share with you my opinion on a major shift in the delivery process. In today’s market, everyone wants things “faster and cheaper”—and this can lead to major problems.