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About Lee Kilcup
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Can answer most questions regarding estimating, contracting, project delivery, strategic planning and business management for commercial building construction contracts and companies. Not a lot of knowledge about residential or heavy/ highway projects.

Experience

Past/Present clients
Microsoft, Quadrant(Weyerhauser), Nintendo of America, Overlake Hospital, Adobe Systems, REI

   

You are here:  Experts > Education > Votech Education > Construction & Contractors

Questions Answered By Expert  Lee Kilcup 
In Category  Construction & Contractors

SubjectDate Asked

drop ceilings9/3/2008
  Q: i have someone that wants me to bid a job. i am use to working by the hour. anytime i bid something ...
  A: You may be able to make more money by bidding the work. I would carefully track my productivity ...
Pay basis for remodeling employees8/29/2008
  Q: I run a small remodeling business with 8 field employees and would like to find a way to tie ...
  A: We provide our employees yearly bonus that equals about 25% of my profits. Since we started doing ...
Forming a subsidiary abroad of an existin developer8/12/2008
  Q: I am in the process of looking at setting up an operation abroad for a large developer. I have been ...
  A: I am a contractor and not an developer so I do not have as much insight into this type of question. ...
constrction of8/10/2008
  Q: Wanted to know about the role of civil engg in construction of express way on the basis of ...
  A: I build buildings not roads but have a general idea of what civil engineers do; They would design ...
Hiring a General Contractor8/8/2008
  Q: My wife and I are in the process of opening a patio style take-out restaurant (southern cooking). ...
  A: You are probably better off hiring an owners rep unless you have lots of time and at least a little ...
expansion joints8/1/2008
  Q: We are going to bid caulking some expansion joints for a new Walgreens. Was wondering about what to ...
  A: I am not a caulking contractor so I don't know exactly how much to charge. The way that we approach ...
PA Sales and Use Tax7/31/2008
  Q: What is the pa dept of revenue definition of Construction Contract and Construction Contractor?
  A: From their website: A construction contractor is required to pay Sales or Use Tax on all taxable ...
Concrete Sonnet Tubes-load bearing capacity7/12/2008
  Q: We have a 12' wide by 8' deep (from building out) covered deck with a shingled roof. This is the ...
  A: let me say that you seem to know the local termanology.... :) I have no idea what sonnet tubes are ...
Contractor Taxes in Pennsylvania6/30/2008
  Q: Good morning! I'd like to know what taxes [and ] I'll be obligated to pay [and to whom} if I become ...
  A: I am a construction contractor in a western state so I do not know what taxes you will be liable ...
Load bearing of concrete floor6/30/2008
  Q: I plan to instal a large battery for my computer systems. We are in a modern building with 150mm ...
  A: The answer depends on a number of variables that I do not have. What was the live load design for ...
condensation on post & beam ceiling6/16/2008
  Q: We have experienced condensation on our post & beam home which is 7 years old. The roof is made with ...
  A: I would attempt to get air to the underside of the styrofoam panels via a vent if there is a place ...
Warehouse Floor Load Capacity6/6/2008
  Q: We were planning to store 5,000 pallets for a new customer in a leased warehouse. The average ...
  A: Assuming that this is a slab on grade the allowable bearing pressure for the slab is probably more ...
Storm water Drainage5/1/2008
  Q: sir Project : Infrastructure (Pipe Laying & Roadworks) Division: Storm water Drainage ...
  A: I am a building contractor so have little knowledge of the cost guide but if the tee occurs only at ...
cranes3/28/2008
  Q: How long does it take to put up a crane?
  A: Many different types of cranes so many different answers to this question. On the quicker end of ...
Project Prolongation in Landscape Industry3/25/2008
  Q: We are a wholesale nursery trying to get landscapers/developers to sign a "contract" stating when ...
  A: It seems to me that this could be a condition of your sales to the customer and should be included ...
learning how to use a grade rod3/19/2008
  Q: I now do overhead signs for all major expressways all structural.I have already set ten rather large ...
  A: I would advise you to contact the local carpenters union or surveyors association or local technical ...
Material submittal registry3/8/2008
  Q: Sir, I would like to have a standard material submittal registry for reinforced concrete 1 story ...
  A: Sorry I do not have such a standard list. Our submittal registries are made custom for each job and ...
Material submittal registry3/1/2008
  Q: Sir, I would like to have a standard material submittal registry for reinforced concrete 1 story ...
  A: I am sorry, I do not understand the question. We have submittal logs that have been developed but ...
load baring capacity1/23/2008
  Q: I've been told the load capacity of a particular paved area is 4 kilonewtons per sq metre. How do I ...
  A: Calculate the area of the truck (how many square meters of area) and divide it into the weight to ...
Cancel a Vendor Contract1/8/2008
  Q: My company awarded a contract to a vendor to make (15) electrical components for Approx. $750k. The ...
  A: I don't know what the terms of your contract regarding cancellation are... If you are responsible ...
builder12/18/2007
  Q: We hired a builder and the contract is a fixed price contract. Contract draw schedule is broken into ...
  A: As mentioned above you need legal advice. I am not a lawyer. You will probably need to put him on ...
builder12/16/2007
  Q: We hired a builder and the contract is a fixed price contract. Contract draw schedule is broken into ...
  A: This is more of a legal issue so I would go to a lawyer asap. 1.Find out who filed preliminary lien ...
tips for setting up a construction company12/1/2007
  Q: please i need your advice on issues surrounding setting up a construction company. my uncle who is ...
  A: This is a pretty complicated question but I will give it a shot. Contracting is about getting the ...
CONTRACTORS BREECH11/29/2007
  Q: CAN I SUE MY CONTRACTOR FOR THE REPAIRS NEEDED ON MY NEW CONSTRUCTION BUILT HOUSE?THE CONTRACTOR ...
  A: Sure you can sue him, but this is a long and costly process with the lawyers commonly winning more ...
retail strip plazas10/25/2007
  Q: I am very new to commercial real estate and I am starting to represent Developers to help lease out ...
  A: A few ideas: 1)Find a contractor that is building the product and pick his brain on a reoccuring ...
NON PAYMENT PROCEDURES10/23/2007
  Q: I HAVE AND AN AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE INSTALLED EQUIPMENT, IT WAS NEW ...
  A: Assuming the work was completed to the customers satisfaction there is no reason that you should not ...
Security of payments10/3/2007
  Q: Are you aware of any USA laws regarding security of payments,similar to those that have been enacted ...
  A: I am not sure what you are asking but I will attempt an answer. US lien laws (which vary from State ...
Commercial Renovation Estimate9/24/2007
  Q: I work for a state agency and have gotten estimates for an 8 foot high by 8 foot 3 inch long ...
  A: It is tough to use unit prices on this size of work. You would think that the stud and gypsum ...
MIA contractor9/21/2007
  Q: My contractor was supposed to be done finishing my basement in July. Three weeks ago it failed ...
  A: If you paid him in advance you may be out of luck unless you want to sue or do one of the following; ...
Construction & Fuel Crisis9/16/2007
  Q: Given the current trend in fuel cost escalation, what impacts are being felt by the construction ...
  A: There are a number of raw material escalations that are currently affecting contractors including ...
Hurricane Buildings7/4/2007
  Q: I am looking for hurricane designs/consultation for skyscrapers in hurricane prone areas. Can you ...
  A: The two consultants that you need the most are the structural engineer and an envelope engineer. The ...
contract cancellation by customer6/6/2007
  Q: I have a situation whereby my customer signed a contract for complete home remodeling over 2 months ...
  A: This is more legal than building but I will try to help. If you did not have a cancellation fee that ...
project estimate and result4/26/2007
  Q: Asalam u alikum I am working on a construction project and I have to give the answers of the ...
  A: I don't understand entirely what you are asking 1. The cost of the land is the fair market value 2. ...
contractors priceing4/24/2007
  Q: there was water damange the whole down stairs, im doing the kitchen, dineing room, living room, and ...
  A: Offhand the price does not look adequate. You need to prepare a detailed estimate of all of the ...
Bidding3/28/2007
  Q: I am putting in a bid on a 3 tenemant house in Newport RI, It is very weather torn in the rear of ...
  A: We try not to obtain work by selling the low price. Try to figure out what you really do better than ...
Architectural Services3/7/2007
  Q: I in the starting phase of building a takeout restaurant. I have a civil engineer doing preliminary ...
  A: I answered this question but it must not have taken, sorry about the delay If you are an experienced ...
porcelain tile2/14/2007
  Q: I have a potential new client on the hook, but the job is so small that by sq. ft it's hard to ...
  A: I am not a tile setter so hard to answer question. I would list out all of the activities you expect ...
Site1/6/2007
  Q: I am in the process of building a takeout restaurant. I'm trying to obtain a loan from SBA. The ...
  A: This is not in my area of expertise although I have been involved in some development. If you own ...
building a new home12/17/2006
  Q: How many seperate contractors are needed and "what are they called"? to build a new home. i.e. ...
  A: Clearing and Excavation, Foundation, Plumbers, Framers, Siders, Electrician, Sidewalk and Paving ...
unlicensed?11/21/2006
  Q: We were flooded and need a general contractor. Is it okay to go with a contractor who is ...
  A: I would think that you could find a licensed contractor for little or no premium to do this work. ...
Estimated cost for concrete or alphalt driveway10/26/2006
  Q: Are you aware of a rule of thumb that could be used to estimate the cost to construct a concrete or ...
  A: The asphalt for the driveway would probably run about $1.25 per sf if it is 2" thick over 4" crushed ...
off site improvements9/21/2006
  Q: What is considerd an off - site improvement? If you have to build a retaining wall on a lot to build ...
  A: Generally we consider off site improvements to be literally off site. Examples would be side sewer ...
Architectural metal Work9/1/2006
  Q: I work for a small metal fab shop that primarily specializes in off road fabrication in Phoenix. We ...
  A: Sorry, I did not see this question until today. I would start by determining the products that you ...
Cost for Alarm System4/24/2006
  Q: I hope you can help me out; for an existing large school facility; (300,000 sf high school) what ...
  A: Not my area of expertise but we just took bids on a fire alarm for a 28 story high rise office ...
General Contractor4/14/2006
  Q: I live in Illinois and have been searching the net for GC courses or classes with limited success. ...
  A: Sorry about the delay, I thought I answered this. If it is a four year degree I am sure there are a ...
Salary4/11/2006
  Q: A new company need me to manage and develop, we estimate by the end of year, we can create 1.5 ...
  A: I can only offer a little advice as I do not know where you are or what the cost of living is. As a ...
unheated new constructin2/19/2006
  Q: I am interested in purchasing a new construction home which has been vacant for 2 years. My concern ...
  A: I am a commercial building contractor so this is a little out of my expertise but I will try to help ...
hiring sub contractors10/5/2005
  Q: how could I hire subcontractors to build my home for the best possible price?
  A: If you are not experienced in contracting you may end up costing yourself more to do the work ...
Job bidding9/26/2005
  Q: Is there a resource or guide which would give information on estimating a bid ?
  A: There is an estimating resource book called Means Building Construction Cost Data that indexes ...
Grancrete8/26/2005
  Q: I wanted your opinion on whether a new “Grancrete” housing construction method could be used to ...
  A: Sorry, I thought I had answered this before. I am not a residential building contractor but from a ...
business contract8/16/2005
  Q: can you please send me an example of a business contract? I'm expecting a project delivery and don't ...
  A: I would need to know the size of the project and who you are writing this contract to. A designer, a ...
Competitive quotations7/8/2005
  Q: I am an independent consultant. Details were issued by e-mail on behalf of my client to 3 No firms ...
  A: I am sorry I did not receive the question, it must have been caught in my spam filter. It sounds ...
Skyscrapers6/13/2005
  Q: Is there a book I can buy that explain different ways that skyscrapers are built?
  A: I typed in building skyscrapers in my internet explorer and there was a number of books that were ...
water5/16/2005
  Q: My friend,age68, has dug a hole in the ground with the following dimentions. It is 300' by 400' and ...
  A: This is not really related to my expertise but I can do basic conversions... If I understand your ...
i am a student working on...5/12/2005
  Q: i am a student working on some sort of term work am suppose to find out information about what ...
  A: Network solutions is a broad question. I have no idea what you are asking for in "network plane" ...
Foreman1/25/2005
  Q: What do you think is the pay range for a Housing Construction Foreman who manages the construction ...
  A: We are commercial contractors but I would assume that you would pay $30-35 per hour (on their check) ...
Insurance1/25/2005
  Q: Will normal medical insurance cover a person who does part time housing construction work? Or is ...
  A: We are a commercial contractor so I would have a difficult time answering this but I will attempt to ...
Strip Centers1/21/2005
  Q: Also do you know where I can find normal hourly rates for the various construction workers, ie ...
  A: The Means book publish the average hourly wages for the various trades then you have to modify them ...
Strip Centers1/21/2005
  Q: I am also hoping to expand my paper I'm writing to include a section about strip center business ...
  A: Means cost sf data may be able to provide you a total range of costs. Without more information ...
House cost estimates1/21/2005
  Q: I am trying to write a paper about house construction. Could you please give me your estimate of the ...
  A: I think the profit costs are high in your example. A housing contractor would typically make 15-20% ...
it is about this contractor,...1/2/2005
  Q: it is about this contractor, he is a nice guy, but we don't have deep conversation, I feel empty ...
  A: I answered this before but perhaps I did not send it correctly. I am struggling a little with your ...
Price per square foot12/29/2004
  Q: How would I price janitoral cleaning of a new construction job site consisting of about ...
  A: In my mind the to ways to approach this would be on a unit price basis (cost per sf or cost per ...
Removing load-bearing columns11/3/2004
  Q: I'll make this as simple as possible. I'm putting in a small, independent theater into the shell of ...
  A: Your gif files did not come through so I have not exactly what the field condition is, although ...
Concrete rate estimation7/19/2004
  Q: I was hoping if you can help me with an index that relates the cost of reinforced concrete to that ...
  A: There are ranges of amounts of reinforcing that get designed and installed into reinforced elements. ...
Stud wall construction3/18/2004
  Q: I'm adding onto my garage and need to know how to build the stud walls so that the studs are located ...
  A: I am not exactly sure what you are asking. Are you wondering where to place the concrete foundation ...

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