As this e-newsletter is being received by clients, designers, subcontractors, and friends of Berghammer, we thought it appropriate to write about the preconstruction phase of a project. This is the time period when the Building Team of client, designer, general contractor and key subcontractors, are brought together to construct the project, but before the project actually begins construction. It is the most valuable time period we can spend (collectively) working on the project. It is a time when the architects have completed conceptual and possibly design development drawings, but not necessarily complete construction documents for permitting and building. Subcontractors are just formulating how they can solve a particular design issue, deciding upon a system, and which materials should be used. The client is engaged to begin the selection of materials and systems that will be incorporated into the project. During this phase, alternative solutions are debated so that the client is able to make an informed decision as to the cost, quality, and serviceability that best suits their requirements.

This phase can be easily overlooked, or even dismissed, by members of the team. We believe it is the most important phase, where red-marked up drawings (we prefer a rainbow of colors), and a challenging dialogue on how to best achieve the desired outcome should occur. This phase is the least costly investment we can make in the project that reaps the greatest return. When designs and/or material selections are challenged in the field, it usually translates into a costly rework of a partially installed building element.

Being able to accurately budget estimate from concept sketches and design ideas is the hallmark of a successful preconstruction effort. If your Building Team isn't involving you in the preconstruction effort, take a step back and encourage that phase of the process to be enthusiastically embraced.

See you at the next design review meeting!

Leif A. Nesheim President & Principal leif@berghammer.com	James F. Parks Executive Vice President & Principal jimp@berghammer.com	George C. Minnich Senior Vice President & Principal georgem@berghammer.com

Felician Village
Location: Manitowoc , Wisconsin
Architect: JSA Architects Interiors Planners
Project Duration: 2 ½ years
Scope: 225,000 SF demolition and 120,000 SF new construction

Berghammer Construction Corporation was selected by the Felician Sisters, to update and expand the existing senior living facilities on its 22 acre Felician Village campus. The campus is located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

These campus improvements will enhance Felician's ability to service the community's needs now and in the future as well as provide a residential atmosphere for all the residents and neighbors. “We have high hopes for the future of Felician Village. We are providing homes rather than institutions for seniors living in our facilities,” explained President and CEO, Pat Kaldor.

Approximately 225,000 square feet of existing outdated structures will be removed and will be replaced with 120,000 square feet of new modern, energy efficient facilities. The project will be completed in two phases, which will include new Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF), Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCAC), long-term care households and Village Square facility. The construction of this two phase project began in April of this year. The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

The Felician Village campus renovation and expansion was designed by the architectural firm, JSA Architects Interiors Planners of Washington, D.C. The firm concentrates on healthcare, senior living, hospitality, education, and housing projects.

Project Team :
Project Executive: George Minnich
Assistant Project Manager: Jessica Wenzel
Project Coordinator: Beth Tabat
Project Superintendent : Scott Christenson
Project Architects: John Lehigh and Jeff Anderzhon, JSA Architects Interiors Planners
Development Advisor : David Slack, ARI Network Services, Inc.

St. Mary's Visitation Parish
St. Mary's Visitation Parish, located in Elm Grove, selected Berghammer to complete the additions and renovations to their existing church and school. The project, designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects, includes an addition to the School of 5,500 square feet and an addition to the Church of 6,000 square feet. The addition will feature a new entrance, administrative offices, and multi-purpose room at the school; and a kitchen, library, restrooms and gathering area at the church. Skylights along the roofline and expansive windows on the north and west walls have been incorporated in the design to bring natural light into the interior. The exterior of the church will match the original architecture, including a dramatic wood timber beam interior and slate roof at the exterior.

Mount Pleasant International Business Center
Berghammer was selected by HSA Commercial Real Estate, Chicago, to construct two speculative buildings in the Village of Mount Pleasant . Both buildings were designed by Cornerstone Architects of Itasca, Illinois. A 320,000 square foot facility and will be constructed to achieve LEED Certification. A second, 125,000 square foot facility is also included in the project, and being built at the same time. Construction of the two facilities commenced in May and are scheduled to be completed in December of 2008.

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Construction Safety
The Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee (AGC/GM) and the Milwaukee Construction Industry Safety Council (MCISC) recognized Berghammer Construction Corporation at an awards ceremony at the Wisconsin Club for no lost injuries in 2007.

MCISC is a group of construction professionals who are responsible for the safety of their company’s employees. These leaders meet quarterly to discuss topics of concern among companies that perform the majority of the commercial construction that occurs each year in the Metro Milwaukee area.

Berghammer Bicycle Club
Berghammer established the Berghammer Bicycle Club in 2006. Several members of the field and office staff are avid cyclists and participate in many charitable rides throughout the year.

Executive Vice President, Jim Parks, Director of Estimating, Chris Rozof, and Field Superintendent, Steve Strelka participated in the 19th Annual Trek 100 Ride for Hope on Saturday, June 7, 2008. Trek Bicycle Corporation and the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc.) sponsored the event. Proceeds from this ride support critical pediatric cancer and related blood disorder research efforts.

Berghammer Bicycle Club will be participating in the Beyond Design Bike Tour on July 18, 2008. Proceeds from this ride will go to the Eppstein Uhen Foundation, which focuses on improving the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work. To learn more about the Beyond Design Bike tour, visit the official site: http://www.eua.com/beyonddesigntour/index.cfm.

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100% LEED Accredited
Berghammer is pleased to announce its continued commitment to sustainable business practices. Berghammer has achieved 100% LEED Accreditation among our project managers and estimators. Berghammer is the first general contractor in the state of Wisconsin to achieve this milestone. Over the past year, Berghammer established a program for employees and conducted training sessions to prepare employees and several architectural partners for the LEED accreditation examination administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. Moving forward, all new project management and estimating hires will be required to become LEED accredited within their first 6 months of employment. Berghammer is a proud member of the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA) and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Being recognized as experts in sustainable construction techniques and methods is important to Berghammer.

Chris Rozof becomes Published!
Director of Estimating, Chris Rozof, wrote an article titled, “Sustainable Solutions to Overcome Wisconsin's Winters, Thriftiness” for the June issue of Wisconsin Builder magazine. The article discussed the importance of getting the entire project team involved at the onset of a project with sustainable design objectives, and the different strategies for achieving LEED Certification based on different climate and geographic considerations. Visit the Wisconsin Builder website to read the complete article:
http://www.wibuilder.com/wb-june-2008/cc.html

Chris has been a LEED AccreditedProfessional since 2006. He gave a presentation to professionals in the industry in September 2007 titled Sustainable Design: What, Why and How for Industry Professionals . Chris is scheduled to speak at the 10 th Annual Architecture Conference & Product Show in Chicago in September of this year.

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In the United States , non-residential buildings account for:

• 70% of electricity consumption
• 39% of energy use,
• 39% of all carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions,
• 40% of raw material use,
• 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually)
• 12% of potable water consumption.

Sustainable construction and development is becoming more important as a means to conserve and protect our environment. By utilizing sustainable methods and techniques, these building statistics can be dramatically improved. The list of benefits for sustainable construction and development is extremely long, including the conservation of natural resources, reduction of solid waste, improvement in air and water quality, reduction of operating costs, enhancement of asset value and profits, and improvement in air quality.

Statistics provided by the U.S. Green Building Council

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As a contractor, Berghammer’s reputation is its stock in trade. It is built on consistently providing the best possible solutions for our clients, and conducting business in an honorable, ethical way.

That reputation manifests itself in a commitment to total customer satisfaction that echoes throughout the company. It is found in an unending drive to deliver the highest quality workmanship and a mission to improve our work and improve our results.

Your feedback is appreciated.

Berghammer Construction Corporation
4750 N. 132nd Street
Butler, Wisconsin 53007
http://www.berghammer.com

Telephone: 262-790-4750
Facsimile: 262-790-4755

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