By Bruce Wittenbaum It has been a long time since three bids were not received for a project, and the bids submitted were well in excess of the original estimate for the project. My esti¬ mates prior to bidding are always high-end numbers in hopes that the client will receive bids which allow the pro¬ ject to proceed. Material and labor costs have not doubled, so some profiteering is taking place. What are consultants and property owners to do? My position is that competi¬ tive bidding produces the best results for property owners. Market conditions will force changes in whom I allow to bid, and which systems are chosen for use. The letter shown is an example of what I am proposing to my clients. I suggest that you consider something simi¬ lar. Readers of this article are invited to provide feedback to Interface with their letters; in this way, everyone can benefit through a dialogue on this subject. Remember that consultants, owners, manufacturers, and contractors all have something at stake. About The Author Bruce Wittenbaum is president of Achievement Industries, Cincinnati, OH. He has an associate degree as a mechanical engineering technician and thirty-five years of experience in the industry. Wittenbaum is active in RCI, ASTM, NACE, and SSPC. He consults on roofing, pro¬ tective coatings, energy control, and building exterior restoration. He often serves clients who don’t have “on staff’ capabilities. [ Metal Roof Problems? 1 These are the organizations that have tested our mettle: Airborne Express • American Airlines • American National Can Co. • Anheuser-Busch Armstrong • World Industries • AT & T • B.A.S.F. • B.F.I. • Boeing • Caterpillar, Inc. Champion International • Chevron • Chrysler Realty Corporation • Delta Air Lines FAA • Federal Express • Fidelity Investments • Firestone • Ford • G.T.E. General Dynamics • General Electric Co. • General Motors • Georgia Pacific • Goodyear Harris Corporation • Hunt-Wesson • IBM • Kimberly Clark • Klondike • Kraft La-Z-Boy • Leggett & Platt, Inc. • Lever Brothers • Marmon-Keystone • Marriott Martin-Marietta • MCI • Menasha Corporation • Mobil • NASA • Olin Chemical Pratt & Whitney • Procter & Gamble • Raytheon • Rockwell • Ryder Truck Service Merchandise • 7-Eleven Corporation • Tennessee Valley Authority • Thiokol Inc. Upjohn Co. • US Postal Service • Vanity Fair Corporation • Volvo • Xerox • Yellow Freight The TOPCOAT ® Seamless Rubber Roofing System provides superior protection for commercial and industrial metal roofs – completely sealing out the elements, and putting an end to leaks and roof deterioration. To receive a free brochure and product sample, and to see how TOPCOAT offers a cost-effective solution for many businesses call 1-800-323-0009. Or send your business card to TOPCOAT, 24 Industrial Road, Walpole, MA 02081-1305. CALL 1-800-323-0009 ext. 528 TOPCOAT, A Division of Major Group, Incorporated, Established 1945. 8 • Interface May 1997
