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JULY 2017 | VehicleServicePros.com 25
Managers should get everyone who has an
interest in the project involved in the planning
and design process, whether it’s the staff , board
of supervisors, county commissioners, council
members or the public.
“Including everyone in the planning meetings
not only educates key players about the process,
but encourages ‘buy-in’ or acceptance of the
new facility.”
By way of example, Leidy
recalls a project in Aspen,
Colorado where the neighborhood
surrounding the project
site consisted of multi-million
dollar homes.
“Th e homeowners were very
concerned about the aesthetics
of the project,” Leidy says.
“To put their concerns at ease,
MDG invited the public to
attend design review meetings,
plus they were included
in meetings during the planning
process.
“When we began planning
this project, construction prices
were fl at. However, it took
more than two years to get the
project designed and the bond
referendum passed.
“When we were ready to
break ground, Aspen was
enjoying a building boom
and construction costs had
risen 40 percent, and so had
our budget. Because we had
included elected officials
and the public in the process,
everyone felt like they had a
vested interest in the project.
Th ey came together to help
scale back the building design,
as well as budget additional
funding, while still meeting
everyone’s expectations.”
Early Planning
Planning early is key to any
successful project that comes
in on budget, stresses Leidy
of MDG. “Equipment selection,
layout, utility requirements
and fi nishes need to
be considered early on in the
process,” he says. “Th e earlier
in the design process needs are
identifi ed, the more likely they
will be approved and the less
they will cost.”
“After construction has
begun, additions will require a
change order, and change orders
are expensive,” he continues.
“A compressed air outlet
included as an integral part of
design may cost $200. During
construction, the same line
could cost as much as $1,000
to add as a change order.”
Common Mistakes
“Planning and attention to the smallest detail can
prevent mistakes that can hinder the effi ciency of
a maintenance facility,” MDG’s Leidy points out.
He cites some of the most common mistakes that
create problems for vehicle maintenance facility
owners and managers down the road.
Lighting – “It’s important to choose lighting
fi xtures that off er a full spectrum of light,” he says.
“Lighting has ramifi cations on the effi ciency, functionality
and safety of the facility, as well as on the
general atmosphere of the workplace.”
For example, he says high-pressure sodium
lights may work well outdoors but aren’t suited for
a maintenance shop. Inside a building, the light’s
orange-yellow cast creates poor color rendition,
making diff erent colored wires look the same .
For what drives you.
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VehicleServicePros.com/20850571
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