In Part 1 of this column (Walls & Ceilings, December 2009), I quoted Willem Kymmell, an architect and associate professor in Construction Management at California State University, as saying, “Despite many recent developments in project delivery methods, owners are often still dissatisfied with the results of the construction industry; projects still take too long and come in over budget, while the quality frequently is not up to the clients expectations.” 

Willem Kymmell is an architect and associate professor in Construction Management at California State University. He was quoted as saying, “Despite many recent developments in project delivery methods, owners are often still dissatisfied with the results of the construction industry; projects still take too long and come in over budget, while the quality frequently is not up to the client’s expectations.”

“Open Issues” are situations that impact the timely completion of a job and in almost every case cost the wall and ceiling contractor money. For example, a simple open issue for an acoustical ceiling contractor could be getting clarification on the ceiling height in a hallway.

“Blackmail” is not a popular or widely used word in this day and age. To be politically correct, the word “coerced” is much more effective in describing a situation where one person forces another person to do something they would not normally do. The dictionary defines coerced as: to compel by force, intimidation, or authority, esp. without regard for individual desire or volition: They coerced him into signing the document.

Is doing “bad” good or bad? Are you one of the many people I’ve talked to who are wondering why “big companies who do bad get bailed out?” I don’t think those of you in business will see a wall and ceiling stimulus or bail-out plan any time soon.

Place a wooden pencil between two points and apply downward pressure until it breaks. Now move the two support points closer so that the span is lessened and then apply pressure until it breaks. Repeat this process until you can’t break the pencil.

Summer run Steelhead fishing in Washington State is a new hobby I picked up. It’s an unbelievable rush to have a 10 or 15 pound Steelie on in fast water. Our boat is drifting slowly in the current and I cast upriver allowing my bait to sink when all of a sudden the fight is on.

East of Seattle, beyond Lake Washington is the city of Bellevue, fast becoming the land of Microsoft. Building inspectors in this fast growing, software and coffee drinking city are on the cutting edge of enforcing the most stringent interpretation of building codes. It may be the caffeine but what we are seeing is a trend towards a very strict or onerous interpretation of the code throughout the U.S.

The owner of a project called me to say: “I would like to know why you filed a lien on my building, and how did you arrive at the lien amount?”