IN THIS ISSUE: Shorten Your Build Cycle  |  Upcoming Events  |  The People of Preston Feather

Quick tips to shorten your build cycle

We've polled builders and build cycles, and consensus is that supply chain hiccups, longer lead times and labor shortages have extended build cycles 30-50% or more. Solving this problem requires re-thinking how projects are designed, planned and scheduled.

Scroll down to read 4 of the best practice tips we see from our builder customers.

1. Design with the schedule in mind

Review the design and blueprints from a build schedule (production flow) view with your Preston Feather sales and estimating team up front. What elements of the design, components and material choices will make it easier or more difficult to shorten build cycles? What assumptions should be challenged? Decisions made at the design and planning stage have a big impact on timelines. The right eyes looking at the plans up front can shave weeks or months off the build schedule.

2. Start the foundation faster using insulated concrete forms

Use of Preston Feather's insulated concrete forms for foundations is simple, quick and energy efficient. Eliminate delays waiting for masonry contractors. Our experience is builders learn the process quickly and love the control it gives them over production schedules.

3. Outsmart the weather, button up the house earlier

Turn big uncontrolled variables into controllable ones. Use engineered components to spend less time fighting the elements during the framing phase. Use of engineered components such as wall panels, floor panels, Zip sheathing, beams, trusses, etc., speed up the assembly schedule. Get HVAC installed early to control humidity for faster, higher quality trim work. Quality of materials is improved, too, by limiting stacks of delivered material exposed to weather for long periods on the job site.

4. Adapt around long lead times 

Manufacturers of windows, doors, cabinets and other specialty materials will continue to struggle with capacity limit and resulting long lead times. Traditional construction phasing in this case takes too long. Think about changing the work sequence: side the house first, then cut holes and install windows when they are available. Pre-finish materials instead of painting on site. What else is "normally" done that can be changed to adapt to longer lead times of certain materials? Brainstorm with Preston Feather and your other materials suppliers and subs.

Want to learn more about ideas to shorten build cycles?

Contact Troy Bamberg, Director of Sales, at tbamberg@prestonfeather.com

Lumbermen’s + Preston Feather Product Fair 

Join us for 10+ vendor/product representatives, fantastic prizes, food & drinks, and a great view of the bay!

June 23rd from 4-7pm

Stafford’s Perry Hotel

100 Lewis St, Petoskey

For more information, visit our homepage at prestonfeather.com or click HERE to see the event flyer.

Please make sure to RSVP at the link on the flyer by June 10th!

Habitat for Humanity GT Soiree Above the Bay Benefit

sponsored by Preston Feather 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms,

8629 East Lincoln Rd, Cedar MI

Jeremy Gates 

Gaylord, Yard Staff

“I like the people I work with because it feels like such a close family. I also really enjoy getting to be outside and driving again.”

Brandon Asher

Traverse City, Driver

“It's such a good working environment. I enjoy the positive atmosphere and everyone has been so helpful in training me and getting me on the right track!”

We’re learning new product

and job site skills

Brandon Gibson, Paul Barron, Keith Reeb, Tucker Bartz and Kirk Jabara conducted a full day job-site training event in April for 10 of our staff. The project involved installing new windows and doors in a remodeling project with a few challenging “twists” to make things interesting. We had staff from Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Traverse City attend the training session — everyone learned a lot about products we sell, how to install them and how to anticipate needs of our contractor customers. Passed inspection!

New wheels in Traverse City 

Look for our new Ford Transit 4WD delivery van in the Grand Traverse area! This gives our customers even more flexibility on deliveries, is easier to use for small/medium size deliveries, and reduces fuel costs, too.

We’re helping our communities 

Adopt a Road Preston Feather is adopting roadways around our branches to help keep the areas we love clean!

Habitat for Humanity Preston Feather supports our local Habitat for Humanity in many ways, including supplying usable building materials to Habitat's Restore operations. We are also sharing some retailing ideas to help boost ReStore sales. Thank you to Habitat for helping support our community and put products to good use!