Contractors Assistance Association (CAA) and Next Generation Construction Takes Contractors to ‘School’
Navigating the construction space as a novice and even experienced contractor can be a bit nuanced. Sometimes, you just need some insight from someone who’s been doing it successfully. But finding a colleague able and willing to share certain information can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
That’s why Constructor Night School exists.
Contractor Night School, presented Next Generation Construction and Contractors Assistance Association (CAA), is a 8-week series of classes developed to provide diverse contractor owners insights and tools to advance their business.
The course motto is “teach something today that can be used tomorrow.” The course seeks to both grow existing Contractor Assistant Association (CAA) contractors and attract new, yet experienced contractors.
The course covered the following topics: how to win work (marketing, sales, tools to utilize), changes (bid supplements, change orders, budget management, addendums), how to manage work, soft skills/interpersonal relationships and estimating.
Because one of the biggest challenges contractors’ face is pricing a project, much of the course taught by Next Generation Construction and Contractor Assistance Association (CAA) President Shakorie Davis, has focused on how to approach a project and estimating cost.
Davis came up with the idea for this class because, when he went to price projects, 90 percent of the time, he would be the only Black.
“That told me either they don’t understand the numbers, or they lack the confidence to go after the work,” said Davis.
The course provides real world scenarios, assuming all variables, and Davis provided attendees with proposal templates and other documents for them to customize.
Davis, a carpenter by trade who has found estimating to be his “added value,” has discussed the difference between pricing a renovation and new construction project in addition to qualifying quotes throughout the course.
He even discusses what he called “cheat code,” ways to reduce cost.
“Think about how you can do things better,” said Davis to an attentive class. “Always look for advantages.” He also consistently advises them to “identify your lane and your assets.”
Davis stressed to the class that it’s not always about the money when taking on a project. Sometimes it’s about learning or even team building, depending on the season of one’s business. “You know your business better than anyone else,” he said
He also advised them to find their “path of least resistance” and position their company
Todd Green, of TSG interiors and a Contractor Assistance Association (CAA) member, has been operating a union shop that specializes in flooring and interior demolition for a little over a year now. This former accountant took the course because he wanted to learn how to properly estimate union work as well as network.
“It’s good, enjoyable, interactive, and informative,” he said. “I’m getting what I was looking for.”
Green said he recommends the course to others. “At the end, we’ll be able to reflect back to see what more is needed.”
Rhoni Thompson, President and CEO R.L. Cole Enterprises, said the class has been worth her time. Being in trucking, she admits much of the information is totally new, but she understands the importance of submitting the proper paperwork and pricing a project.
“I think [Davis] does a really good job of explaining everything. It’s a good class and I’m glad he’s teaching it,” said Thompson, a second-generation owner. She thinks it’s nice to be among her peers, as well.
She also said Davis has been telling her she could be a construction manager, yet she wasn’t so sure. This class, however, has broadened her perspective. “I’m starting to see it,” she said. “It’s helping me build the confidence to believe that’s something I could do.”
Schwon Pruitt, of Pruitt Investments LLC, has been a general contractor remodeling homes for 15 years. Davis invited him to attend the class and he thought the timing was perfect. He found the lessons on estimating to be “very useful.”
“The way he estimates, I can see how some of the pricing methods are the same,” said Pruitt, who appreciates the depth of detail in Davis’ estimating structure. “That’s what I’ve been struggling with.”
Pruitt also said, with so much information provided in eight weeks, he would love to take the course again. “I want to know it like the back of my hand. I’m in this field but I’m new to what he’s teaching. He’s shedding light on things I thought I knew but didn’t.”
Davis said his goal is to include everyone taking the course on a project. Participating companies include:
- Gilbert & Gilbert Construction and Masonry
- Nevrac Construction
- Pruitt Investment
- RL Cole Enterprises
- HR Construction Services
- TSG
- Peterson King Construction
- Creative Builders
- Family1st Notary LLC
- Rogue Electrice, LTD.
Davis wants them to be able to walk away from the course and into an owner’s office with the ability to present, talk intelligently and understand what’s being communicated. “I want them to know how to maximize an opportunity,” said Davis. “I can show them how to work their business and scale it. If they’re doing $10 million, let’s take it to twenty. I want to see everybody scale. There’s enough work for us all.”
