http://www.remodeling.hw.net/expert-opinion/columnists/contributors/andy-hannan.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm17106905http://www.remodeling.hw.net/jobsite-safety/why-safety-counts.aspx?rssLink=Why+Safety+CountsStrict safety protocols have given Mark IV Builders a strong safety record and a great relationship with its insurance company.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/hiring/andy-hannan-the-a-team.aspx?rssLink=Andy+Hannan%3a+The+%e2%80%98A%e2%80%99+TeamEven though his company may not be currently hiring, Andy Hannan of Mark IV Builders prioritizes unsolicited job inquiries and follows up.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/if-the-toolbelt-fits.aspx?rssLink=If+the+Toolbelt+Fits+...When managers return to the field after a long absence, they must respect the existing chain of command — and not undermine it.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-management/keeping-subs-above-par.aspx?rssLink=Keeping+Subs+Above+ParIt’s tempting to hold onto subpar trade partners when money is tight and their prices are good. You might also feel that you’re too busy to find replacements. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-management/an-agreeable-document.aspx?rssLink=An+Agreeable+DocumentHomeowners have plenty to worry about when they're living through a construction project, from mess and disruption to a complete loss of control over their house, money, and life. Of the many tools we use to lock in our clients' trust, one of the most important is the pre-construction checklist.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/andy-hannan-doing-time.aspx?rssLink=Andy+Hannan%3a+Doing+TimeWith the remodeling market slowing down, one remodeling company is running leaner by focusing on being more efficient.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/mission-control.aspx?rssLink=Mission+ControlMission control at Mark IV Builders is the production board, a visual representation of all current projects, their supervisors, their schedules and status, and their current to-do items. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-meetings/trade-day.aspx?rssLink=Trade+DayA pre-contract walk-through helps nail down the details.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/under-control.aspx?rssLink=Under+ControlTo the homeowner, it seems harmless to ask the tile setter to re-caulk the tub. Fine, thinks the tile setter. I'll just bill it to the remodeler.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/thwarting-thieves.aspx?rssLink=Thwarting+ThievesThieves have always targeted vulnerable jobsites, but the problem has worsened as the prices of copper and other metals have soared. To guard against loss, take these simple measures.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/gross-profit/andy-hannan-snapshot-of-health.aspx?rssLink=Snapshot+of+HealthA year-end tally form measures performance and spurs friendly competition.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/safety/beat-the-heat.aspx?rssLink=Beat+the+HeatEducation is the key to conquering any kind of jobsite safety risk, and the summer heat is no exception. We take heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other heat-related threats very seriously, and as the temperatures climb, we discuss their warning signs and remedies at our biweekly meetings of superintendents (Mark IV's title for lead carpenter) as well as at the biweekly meetings each super holds on jobsites for his crews.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/holding-subs-to-task.aspx?rssLink=Holding+Subs+to+TaskSubcontractors are an integral part of the Mark IV team, and their buy-in is essential to our success.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/safety/inspection-perfection.aspx?rssLink=Inspection+PerfectionAlong with production schedules and safety information, the bulletin board we post at jobsites now includes a list of the most common inspection failures in Montgomery County, Md., where we do much of our business.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/training/andy-hannan-educating-the-future.aspx?rssLink=Andy+Hannan%3a+Educating+the+FutureEducation is a bare necessity in today's remodeling market. Yet with public schools phasing out shop classes, colleges dropping the construction discipline, and vocational schools focusing on high-tech training, the educational system is failing our industry.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/safety/making-safety-a-team-effort.aspx?rssLink=Making+Safety+a+Team+EffortTeamwork is a big part of the culture at Mark IV Builders. It's everyone's responsibility to work together and participate in company operations, even when doing so extends beyond normal job descriptions.