Embracing technology: part 2

Masonry Construction, June, 2003 by Damian Lang

Last month I wrote about using computers to become more efficient in your masonry business. It's amazing how much time you save by simply using e-mail instead of spending so much time on the phone. Technology can be a wonderful addition to your company if you'll only embrace it. At Lang Masonry, we've taken this one step further into our bidding process. Would you believe it's saving us thousands of dollars?

Our senior estimator retired in January of this year. Since we have always believed in promoting from within our company, we brought in one of our top foreman who had been in the field with us for 16 years, Melvin Schwendeman. When Melvin moved into the office, he knew how to take a set of blueprints and build a building, but very little about estimating and bidding the work. He knew nothing about computers. In fact, he couldn't even turn a computer on. However, I have always believed that we can teach an expert bricklayer to run a computer easier than we can teach an expert computer person to lay brick and block. Never was I more right than this time.

After visiting with our good friends at Boettcher Masonry in Michigan, they recommended we look into the Tradesman software estimating program in 3-D. Their estimator, Sam, even showed us how he worked with it. We liked what we saw, went home, and ordered the program. Melvin studied and played with the 3-D Tradesman software program for three months and can now take off a two million dollar project without assistance. And the best part is that we know the material estimate is right! Talk about relieving headaches. A picture of what he is taking off appears on the computer screen fight in front of him. If he misses any materials, it will visually show up.

Actually, the other day Melvin was showing me how he did a take-off on a whole school on the computer. While he was turning the building inside out and upside down with the mouse, he said, "Look at that, I missed a window sill." I must say I was impressed. I am already more comfortable with a bid done on the computer than a bid done long hand. The time saved and the material accuracy will save us thousands of dollars this year. It is hard for me to imagine how contractors will be able to compete in the future without using computers to do their estimating.

Masonry is moving in an exciting direction marrying experienced tradesmen with the latest technology. The jobsites of tomorrow will encourage even more technology. I predict that within ten years, the best mason contractor's foremen will have laptops on the seats of their trucks providing real time information to their office. When I shared this during my presentation for mason contractors in St. Louis, Rick Swanson with Swanson Masonry said, "It will be quicker than that. Swanson foremen will be using them within a year." I may miss the prediction on the laptops, but we're not missing materials on our bids anymore. And I can tell you this, if you're not using computers to be more efficient, start now. Chances are, your competition has already started.