SIMLAB’s Post

Last week, I sat down with a group of Technical Directors ... One line stuck with me: 👉 “We trust our site teams MC and SC. We specify the performance. They know how to get it done.” At first, it sounded right... Trust your people. Empower your teams. But then I thought… what happens when it comes to weatherproofing membranes? Here’s what I see, time and again 👇 ⚠️ The spec becomes a shopping list A project names XYZ Membrane. Great intent. But nothing about the system. ⚠️ The HOW gets left to chance Adhesive? Tapes? Lap sealing? Weather conditions? Often missing or vague. ⚠️ Value engineering turns into value erosion Skip the primer (“saves a day”), swap in a generic tape (“looks the same”)… ⚠️ The result: SYSTEM failure, not product failure The membrane works. The system doesn’t. And who gets blamed? The product. Every time. The data is painful 📊 📌 55% of new-build defects are envelope failures (NHBC Foundation) 📌 42% rise in façade-related defects since 2018 (BSG, 2022) 📌 UK façade packages = £2.6bn industry (AMA, 2023)… 👉 Even “small lapses” cost millions in remediation. 🚀 And here’s the truth… Its is not just the material...it is an integrated system. Think about it: ✅ The right primer for the substrate ✅ Certified tapes & accessories ✅ Installers who know the system inside-out ✅ Inspections + sign-offs at key stages That’s not micromanagement...That’s protecting your asset, your reputation, your legacy; Because nobody remembers the project that almost worked. 👉 Over to you: Have you ever seen a spec that looked great on paper… but failed in execution? #Waterproofing #BuildingEnvelope #Facade #UKConstruction #Specification #Effisus #archmaq #fails #buildingenvelope #Architecture #QualityControl #ConstructionManagement #BuildingPerformance

While starting the modeling process, I would like to suggest following a structured sequence of service placement to minimize clashes and improve coordination: First Level (Bottom of Slab): Drainage pipes, water supply pipes, lighting conduits, and ELV trays. Second Level: HVAC ducts, fire-fighting pipes, and fire-fighting main lines. Third Level (Top of Ceiling): Water supply and power trays. By following this arrangement: Major clashes will be reduced, especially at 50-class detection level. First and third sub-disciplines (drainage/ELV and water supply/power tray) will not require frequent clash detection. It will be easier and faster to resolve clashes during project execution. I believe this approach will streamline coordination and improve efficiency in the project.

Did you know that 70% of construction cost overruns stem from issues that could have been caught during design? After 30 years in industrial construction, we've learned that the most expensive conversation is the one that happens too late. When contractors join projects after design completion, critical constructability issues have already been baked into the plans. Here's what early involvement changes: ✅ Design Reality Checks: Field teams regularly catch "perfect on paper" designs that could create installation nightmares. For example, adjusting equipment placement during design might cost hundreds in engineering hours but could save tens of thousands in crane rental if discovered during construction. ✅ Sequencing Insights: Understanding how components will actually be assembled influences everything from equipment placement to access routes. Consider how redesigning equipment layout during design could save weeks of crane rental costs. ✅ Supply Chain Intelligence: Current material availability and lead times should drive design decisions, not derail construction schedules. Early involvement means designing around what's achievable, not just what's ideal. The result? Industry data shows that clients consistently see 15-20% reductions in total project costs when contractors are involved from day one. More importantly, they avoid the hidden costs of delays, rework, and rushed solutions. The bottom line: The best time to solve a construction problem is before it becomes one. Follow Hawk EPC for more #ConstructionExcellence #ProjectDelivery #EngineeringLeadership #IndustrialConstruction #BuildingBetter

 Understanding Prolongation & Loss & Expense in Construction. In construction projects, delays happen; design changes, late approvals, or site conditions can keep contractors on site longer than planned. But when that happens, who pays for the extra time and cost? That’s where Prolongation & Loss & Expense claims come in. I broke this down into a simple Cause → Effect → Quantum formula you can use (or explain to clients) when preparing the Final Account. Swipe through the carousel to see how it works

Sometimes the best wins come after the worst starts. I once quoted and won a small sorting system that looked simple enough. But by the time we hit delivery, install & commissioning day, it was clear the site wasn't ready — power issues, slab mismatch and too top it off, the space too tight. It cost me time and headaches, probably also helped advance the receding hairline too, but it taught me this: ALWAYS Ask more questions up front. Trust the pre-site visit & get your OWN measurements. Don't just rely on drawings, especially not a customers own, get your own done up, even if it means redoing something that had already been done. Leave more room in the scope for the unexpected Every project teaches you something — especially the ones that sting. #ProjectManagement #EngineeringLessons #OperationsInTheRealWorld

I’ll admit it. I’m in a bit of a pickle. People reach out to us from all over asking for help, which is a great problem to have. But often they come with a tight budget in mind and little understanding of what it actually takes to do the work. That creates tension right from the start. Engineering is not a commodity. Our people are highly trained and our tools are highly advanced. The software we use often costs five times more than standard business tools, and without it we could only deliver a fraction of the analysis required. Even when someone only wants us to look at “one beam” or “one footing,” it is never that simple. Structures are systems. Every part plays with the whole. Codes require us to analyze the entire picture under multiple load combinations before we can solve the detail you care about. That is why we have a base fee. It covers the people, the tools, the setup, the discovery, and the system analysis. Only then can we address the immediate problem you have presented us with. More often than not, what we find is that “the way it has always been done” no longer meets today’s safety standards. We are not being difficult. We are doing our job. We are protecting lives and helping projects meet the codes you are paying us to comply with. We want to help and we will get you the answer you need. But there is a cost to our work. If you have budget just tell us from the start so that we can align each other's expectations. How does your team handle these opportunities and hurdles? #Engineering #Fabrication #Construction #Safety #Leadership #Business

Pricing an outcome without first agreeing on method is how variation creeps in. The method is the control system for the claim. It defines causation boundaries, safe work sequence, temporary works and access, and how reinstatement will meet the NCC and relevant Australian Standards. When every tenderer prices the same method, you get like-for-like comparisons, fewer disputes at delivery, and a scope that reads the same way the site will be built. If you are tightening your instruction pack, use a method statement as the backbone and make assumptions and exclusions explicit up front. For practical scope structure and inclusions, visit:https://ow.ly/VcKk50WOvc6 #Strata #LossAdjusting #Engineering

🔎 Verified by Cast: Specifier Spotlight   We are proud to announce a major milestone for the Verified by Cast programme.   Design 4 Structures has become the first specifier to achieve Verified status – setting a new benchmark for confidence in the specialists who design, detail, and implement for the offsite construction sector.   Why is this important? ✅ Verified by Cast was developed with KOPE to bring independent assurance to the offsite market. ✅ Assessments cover financial stability, compliance, insurance, technical capability, and proven delivery. ✅ For clients, this means greater certainty, reduced risk, and stronger supply chains.   The Design4Structures integrated approach unites structural engineering, construction modelling, and installation reviews – exemplifies what good looks like. Their verification demonstrates that accountability must extend beyond drawings, making projects coordinated, buildable, and delivered with confidence.   Congratulations to the D4S team for leading by example and becoming the first to be Verified by Cast.   Find out more about #VerifiedByCast and view listed specifiers here: https://lnkd.in/gt8AYpe9   #OffsiteConstruction #MMC #SupplyChainConfidence

Professional planning: 8-step snow melt system specification process 📋 Systematic approach for accurate project development: Phase 1: Project Definition • Goal identification (safety, convenience, aesthetics) • Coverage area prioritization (high-risk zones first) • Surface type assessment (concrete, asphalt, pavers) • New construction vs. retrofit considerations Phase 2: Technical Specifications • Precise area measurements and documentation • Electrical capacity evaluation (amperage, voltage, GFEP) • Climate analysis for system sizing • Control system selection based on automation needs Phase 3: Professional Tools Integration • SmartPlan Tool: Custom layouts and specifications • Instant Quote Tool: Rapid cost estimation • Running Cost Estimator: Operating expense projections • Project Showcase: Design inspiration and precedents Control system options for different client needs: ✅ Fully automatic (moisture + temperature detection) ✅ WiFi-enabled (remote monitoring and control) ✅ Manual systems (timer-based operation) Professional advantages: • Systematic approach reduces specification errors • Free tools accelerate quote development • 26 years of installation expertise backing recommendations • Technical support throughout planning process Business development strategy: Use our planning tools to demonstrate professional thoroughness and build client confidence. Which planning tools have proven most valuable in your snow melt projects? #SnowMeltPlanning #ProfessionalTools #ProjectSpecification #ContractorBusiness #SystemDesign https://lnkd.in/eW3FTf9e

Value Engineering is not about using cheaper materials. It is about smarter solutions. A Quantity Surveyor finds ways to achieve both cheaper materials and smarter solutions.