| The change in construction materials cost in 2009 has | | | | progress |
| been significant, but the real bottom line change is | | | | - Confirm jobsite activities against other reporting |
| resulting from increased competition between | | | | methods |
| contractors. Our clients who are owners openly | | | | - Review daily progress against schedules |
| discuss the challenges they have related to the | | | | - Monitor jobsite weather conditions |
| increasing complexity and competition during the bid | | | | - Document as-built conditions |
| process. A few years ago a K-12 school construction | | | | Need for Reliability: |
| project had 3-5 bidders, today there are 30 firms | | | | Any system is only as good as the weakest link. For |
| competing for the same project. The challenge for | | | | too many corporate purchases, the weakest link can |
| owners is to determine which contractors are qualified. | | | | be the initial implementation, or lack thereof. By |
| The ability for a contractor to demonstrate experience | | | | selecting an easy turnkey solution, you will have a |
| and performance from past projects is crucial to | | | | hassle free implementation and carefree maintenance |
| satisfying owners concerns and winning bids. | | | | experience. |
| Perhaps one of the most compelling ways for a | | | | There are four key parts to a full construction camera |
| contractor to create peace of mind for the owner, and | | | | system. The camera hardware at the jobsite, the |
| to differentiate themselves from the competition, is to | | | | internet connection, the servers where the images are |
| offer them transparency and communication which is | | | | stored and the software. A failure with anyone of |
| guaranteed to be timely, accurate and compelling. | | | | these parts creates a failure of the entire system and |
| Contractors who offer construction camera systems | | | | construction sites are not the friendliest places for |
| are offering the owner additional service. By | | | | electronics. By using a full service construction camera |
| demonstrating this level of transparency, efficiency and | | | | provider you maximize the client's experience and |
| accountability those contractors have one more way | | | | ensure success while avoiding the problems |
| to connect with owners needs which helps to build | | | | associated with running the system in house or using |
| relationships and win work. | | | | security equipment which only has an image quality |
| The president of an Atlanta construction company, | | | | adequate for a small area. |
| explains how construction cameras translate to real | | | | Once you've chosen a full service provider, power is |
| dollars for them: "Our firm has been using construction | | | | another issue to consider when it comes to reliability. |
| cameras to monitor progress on all of our jobsites. In | | | | For camera locations without easy access to power, |
| order to keep everyone in the office up to date on | | | | or in urban areas with utility coordination headaches, a |
| each site, we setup monitors to display live images | | | | well designed solar power stations can ensure reliability |
| from each project. It's paid for itself several times | | | | and ease of setup. Additionally, implementing solar |
| over", says Atlanta construction company president. | | | | construction cameras qualifies you for the 30% solar |
| "A new client who was expanding operations in the | | | | energy tax credits at the federal level as well as other |
| southeast interviewed us as part of the bid process. | | | | state and local tax credits where available. |
| When they awarded us the contract they explained | | | | Summary: |
| that it was the demonstration of proactive | | | | As you work on your next bid, or break ground on |
| management through the use of live images which | | | | your next project, consider offering the owner |
| was key in their decision." | | | | construction cameras as part of the package. It's an |
| Why Implement a Construction Camera: | | | | opportunity to gain additional efficiency and show |
| The old adage that everyone expects more for less | | | | everyone what goes into delivering the type of service |
| rings loud in today's construction marketplace. Owners | | | | and quality your firm offers. As a marketing tool it can |
| who put their projects out to bid are expecting lower | | | | be a great differentiator so do your research. Review |
| prices, higher quality and better service from the | | | | examples of live construction cameras online. Find a |
| contractors that try to compete for their business. One | | | | reputable provider who offers a turnkey solution and |
| more way to separate yourself from the pack is to | | | | guarantees their service. Then put the peace of mind |
| proactively include a construction camera service in | | | | that a good construction camera experience provides |
| your bid in order to: | | | | to work for you. |
| - Keep all team-members up to date on project | | | | |