Dear Readers –
In March it was announced at SUBExcel, but the rubber hit the road in July. While I’m honored and excited to be able to serve the American Subcontractors Association as its 2022-23 President, I just want to thank Brian Carroll, plus all the others who have successfully helmed this association. I’ve seen them at work making this group thrive over the past seven years, and I’m going to do my darndest – or as we say here in Colorado – “Let’s go make a difference!”, to keep it growing and make it even better than it is now. Of course, I’m going to need your help, too.
To that extent, let’s make that difference!
- Stay involved in your local chapters. When was the last time you participated in a local activity? Connect with a new member. Invite a non-member to join you. Case in point, our Colorado chapter had a big win last year by getting a law passed capping retainage on private construction projects at 5% (public projects were already capped at 5%). We could not have done that without the chapter coming together to make it happen.
- Check out the resources on the national and chapter websites. Create a member profile and log into InfoHub on the asaonline.com national website. There are time and money-saving sample contracts, negotiating advice, discounts from both members and partners such as UPS, Office Depot, Lenovo, and more than I can remember off hand.
- The webinars that ASA hosts are top-notch. Lots of insight..and they’re free for members.
Okay – now onto the topic of the month. This issue of The Contractor’s Compass is all about mitigating and managing risk. With prices going haywire and the supply of material uncertain, it’s risky just to be in business at this point. But there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk, and if you haven’t read the expanded force majeure clause ASA’s legal gurus put together in June to help us from taking on the risks of price and supply fluctuations…log into InfoHub NOW, click on Resources, and search for Contract Tips. Contract language and advice is provided. Use it as it fits your needs.
There are some very helpful articles in this issue, including a detailed discussion of the
economics of construction risk management – plus the human and financial ramifications, tips to
navigating price escalations, and ways to lower your risk and exposure. Flip through this issue.
There’s bound to be some useful tidbit – or more!
Again, I’m honored you have put your trust and leadership responsibilities for this association into my hands, and I will do my best to make you glad you did.
Sincerely,
Rusty Plowman
ASA President – 2022/23
