A Preconstruction Process Proven to Sustain Success
Brad Chapman
Davie Construction Co.
When Brad Chapman joined Davie Construction Co. in September of 2003 as a project manager with several years of experience working with two other local firms, he spent most of the next decade working on major projects and collaborating with Carl to develop a comprehensive preconstruction process. They wanted to bring the education, specialized knowledge, and hands-on experience of their team of construction professionals together to create a uniquely comprehensive service. Their objective was to provide owners with all the detailed information and advice they would need, shared in the earliest planning stages, way before they became clients, to educate them and help them make the best decisions to ensure the success of their projects.
“By 2011, I completed all the projects I was managing, ending with the Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, a large project that lasted almost a year. I then became the Manager of the newly created Preconstruction Services department. In addition to my degree in Mathematical Sciences from UNC-Chapel Hill and my experience in the field as a project manager, I had the privilege and honor of working with Allen Snipes, the Chief Estimator, when I joined Davie.” Brad’s relationship with Allen went back to his parents’ deep friendship with Allen and his wife, Diane, and with their family. They attended the same church and the youngest son, David, became Brad’s Youth Leader. “My first construction job was with Allen. He was always my mentor, and after he joined Davie, he introduced me to Carl and the rest of the Davie family, which at that time included Randy Burton Senior and Junior as well as Gene Tutterow,” said Brad. “Working with Allen, helping on bid days, and with some trial and error, we solidified our preconstruction process, moving forward, coordinating with architects and engineers and ultimately developing an ever-expanding portfolio of design/build projects in a range of areas of specialty.”
Flash forward to today and as Executive Vice President of Preconstruction Services, Brad works closely with Brantley Smith, Executive Vice President of Estimating, and his team, Dalton Chapman and Caitlynn Lawhon. Barry Newcomb, Director of Business Development, and Cody Crissman, Director of Marketing and Relationship Management, are also part of the Preconstruction team. This allows potential clients to meet Brad early in their planning and make decisions based on his valuable input.
“Even when an owner has a clear picture of what they need to build, they benefit from sharing their plans and welcoming our feedback. They may be a manufacturer who believes they need to double their space to accommodate increased demand for their products. However, their original square footage might not be configured efficiently, and doubling the size will allow them sufficient space but also to have an area to lease out a portion of the new building for added revenue. Or they may need help with site selection. We have a checklist that covers details like access to water, sewer, gas, electricity, and meters, driveway location, soil borings, and everything you would want to consider before committing to a location. By providing this type of support from the beginning of a relationship, we build confidence and trust while demonstrating our high standards for collaboration, responsiveness, and accountability long before an owner becomes a client,” said Brad.
Brad believes the exceptionally high level of repeat clients is due to the depth of the relationships fostered with each project. “Ever since joining Davie Construction when we asked clients why they chose to work with us the first time, and then again and again, the answer has been the same. ‘We feel like family.’ Even though we have grown so much, creating and maintaining that perception has always been the key to our success. We treat each other like a family as we work to exceed our clients’ expectations, and in most cases, we build friendships with our clients that go far beyond ‘just business.’ “
Community involvement has always been a part of the Davie Construction culture, and he has given back in one way or another throughout every year of his career. From serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Davie County Chamber of Commerce to his current position on the advisory board of Davie County High School’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Center and the Career and Technical Education Program, Brad has helped make Davie County a better place to live and work. “Architect John Fuller and I are presenting an architecture and construction panel at the High School, which will give us an opportunity to answer students’ questions about the educational requirements of these careers. We also contribute where we can to local communities like Forsyth, Stokes, and others where we have projects underway. From children’s sports teams to blood drives, collecting gifts for Toys for Tots, and volunteering at food banks or pet shelters, I don’t think there is a community resource we haven’t helped over the past 30 years,” said Brad. “Giving back is a value that Carl has believed in since he started the company, and we try to live it every day, following the quote from the Bible, ‘To whom much is given, much will be required’ (Luke 12:48)’.”