Guidelines for a Successful Construction Project should be the “handbook” for all contractors … a familiar fixture in the working library of every painting and decorating contractor.

Developed and endorsed by the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Subcontractors Association, and the Associated Specialty Contractors, Guidelines provides in-depth analysis of essential topics, including: bidding processes, pre-construction planning, and project execution.

Each of these areas is explained and discussed both in terms of “best practices” and suggested approaches. For example, on relationships with other businesses, Guidelines suggests that “Each general contractor and subcontractor on a project should be regarded with equal respect…Each is an expert in its own field. Ethical conduct, regardless of contractual ‘rights' or ability to make another firm suffer, is essential for harmony. The golden rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,' is still the best guideline in dealing with other individuals and businesses.”

“Sound like something only a subcontractor would say?” asks Bob Miller, PDCA President-elect who, along with PDCA Past President Richard Grund, participated in the creation of Guidelines. According to Miller, this is only a small part of a comprehensive document that no subcontractor should be without. “ Guidelines is a ready reference developed as a dynamic body of work that can be modified as conditions and circumstances change,“ he said. “It is hard to imagine that any subcontractor could participate in a construction project without it.”

Among the most appealing attributes of Guidelines is that it is available to all PDCA members free on-line at www.constructionguidelines.org. Just click on Guidelines for a Successful Construction Project to view all the Guidelines . You may print them all, or just those you wish to have in hard copy. Guidelines is updated as the need arises.

Every PDCA member is encouraged to use this document as a business benchmark. This is an excellent reference document for everyone in construction contracting.

Should you have any questions, contact us at PDCA.