When you look at a construction site, it may be big or small, but there are typically many facets tied to this one physical entity. The importance of communication on the job site cannot be understated. Here are some ways to combat poor communication, which can sabotage your workflow and cost you money.
Keep Every Subcontractor in the Loop
Above each subcontractor, there is the assistant superintendent, and the superintendent above them, with a project manager above them, and the list goes on. Due to the sheer amount of people involved in each of these projects, communication can easily get lost in translation and cause problems for projects.
Poor Communication on Job Sites Leads to Expensive Mistakes
Another issue that can arrive is the lack of any communication altogether. Plans change, and sometimes these subcontractors are not made aware of these changes. They will always just follow the plans they have unless they are told otherwise or given the new plans. Work is happening every day, so keeping everyone on the job site updated is crucial to making sure no problems arise. If someone even works one day on something wrong, that could easily turn into a very expensive mistake.
Keep Construction Superintendents Updated
One of the ways that these problems can be solved is by making sure the superintendents are educated and informed of the importance of communication.
One of our favorite ways to say thank you to the men and women working hard on our job sites is to organize a Job Site Appreciation Lunch.
Cater Lunch for Your Construction Workers
The team working on the project will put together an awesome meal by having a local restaurant cater it or if the project is close enough to our home office, by bringing our EBCO BBQ Pit to the job site to do the cooking themselves.
There’s nothing like having some music playing on the pit’s speakers, hamburgers or fajitas sizzling on the grill, buckets of cold drinks being iced down to make a group of hardworking construction workers look forward to lunchtime.
Organize Fun Give-Aways
The team will often organize a give-away of items donated by EBCO and local rental companies to be dispersed via a drawing during lunch. Items given away may range from koozies to Yeti’s, and from new hard hats to Dallas Cowboy NFL football game tickets.
Often, these lunches will coincide with the “topping out” of a project (meaning that the roof is in place on the building.)
Celebrate Hardworking Subcontractors
It’s a great way to celebrate a project milestone and the people who helped to accomplish it. These are just small gestures of our appreciation for the hard work that goes into each project. We would be unable to do our job if it were not for the great subcontractor and vendor team members we have.
Our Recent Job Site Appreciation Lunches
Some of our most recent job site appreciation lunches were on the site of the Home2 Suites in Woodland Hills, CA, the Home2 Suites in Fort Worth, TX, and the Home2 Suites in Midland, TX.
These lunches are also a great opportunity to invite owner’s representatives, office staff from the subcontractor and vendor’s offices, and office staff from the EBCO home office so that everyone can meet each other and be included. It’s a great time!
There are thousands of construction sites in operation across the country, and each one presents a certain set of hazards that need to be accounted for. The importance of safety cannot be understated, and while I don’t think that is a point of contention, the benefits of having a safe construction site go far beyond the obvious.
Getting Your Workers Home Safe
The single most important reason for safety on a construction site is your workers. Construction sites can be extremely dangerous if precautions aren’t taken, and keeping your employees out of harm’s way is worth taking the extra time to comply to the safety rules. The best construction site is one that thinks about their workers first.
Safety in Construction Equals Fiscal Savings
Something that people might not always consider when investing in safety is the long-term savings that come from it. Insurance is a must for construction companies, and it is something that has no small cost associated with it. Something called an EMR(Experience Modification Rate) is what determines the prices for the construction insurance. Basically this rates the safety of your construction sites based off of how many accidents occur on them, and charges your business accordingly. The lower your EMR rating, the less you are charged for insurance. This also translates to, the safer you are, the more money you have.
Credibility in the Construction Industry
Safety is also a selling point for many of your potential clients, meaning it’s something they look for. Nobody wants to hire a company that is going to have frequent injuries while building their building. This brings up another important point, leveraging your safety to create a better brand. The thing about construction is that when you are hired to do a job, your brand is connected with the company that hires you. This means that companies seeking someone to do their construction work are going to be looking for a brand that they want to be associated with. Safety is typically the brand that is heavily sought after, and something that they don’t want to worry about after they hire you. If safety is done correctly, things like OSHA partnerships can come to fruition, further establishing a positive brand for the future.
Bonding and Working Under Contract
Often times people who do construction work do so after securing a bond for the project. This contractually guarantees that a contractor will perform to a certain set of standards, and exposes themselves to all manner of problems if these standards aren’t upheld. One of the things that appears frequently under these bonds are safety standards. Getting your company used to working under safety standards will also set you up for success when it comes to certain contracts like these bonds. Owners use these bonds to protect themselves, and if you do your work safely, it can be very beneficial to you, and can bring you repeat work in the future. You will save money this way, in addition to the savings in insurance.
Credibility For Your Workers
Getting good workers for your construction sites is something that is extremely important to make sure that each job goes smoothly. This is something that is becoming increasingly more difficult as the construction industry grows. Something that is not always considered is how your brand of safety affects your recruitment. When your workers are going to come to a jobsite for upwards of 8 hours a day, they want to make sure it’s a safe environment to work in.
The construction industry has a common connotation of danger, and setting yourself apart in safety is wildly beneficial for getting great workers on site, especially if you want to appeal to the younger generation. The younger generation recognizes the long-term effects that can occur to those who don’t put safety first, because they have seen what it can do based off of the previous generation. No one wants to exchange their hearing or health for money. If you put your workers first, they will do the same for you.
Safety is extremely important for many reasons, as stated here, and implementing a safety program is truly one of the best things you can do for a construction company. Keeping your workers safe should be at the top of the priority list, and it is key to developing the brand that potential clients want to be around. Taking health seriously, can only bring benefits and wealth for the future.
EBCO General Contractor, LTD. was recently named as one of the 2020 Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The awards program was created in 2006 and is a project of Texas Monthly, the Texas Association of Business, Texas Society of Human Resource Management (Texas SHRM) and Best Companies Group. This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Texas, benefiting the state’s economy, workforce and businesses. Thanks to all of our employees for your outstanding support in assisting us to achieve this award!
Safety is all of our responsibility, and nothing is more important than everyone going home at the end of the work day. That’s why we’re extremely proud of our safety director, his safety committee, and every one of our employees who has played a part in helping us reach 2 MILLION man hours with no lost time accidents.
Reaching a milestone like this is a testament to how hard our team has worked to keep safety as a priority on every busy job site. Each year, a safety committee is formed which consists of our safety director and four employees. They review and update our safety manual and search for new ways to utilize technology on the job site. We heavily use our project management software, Procore, to help us fill out Job Site Awareness (JSA) forms, do safety audits, make safety observations, complete equipment inspection forms, and more.
These steps help us to achieve an Experience Modification Rating (EMR) that is well below the construction standard. Our EMR is an important piece of the puzzle as it enables us to have lower workers’ compensation premiums and in turn more competitive pricing to our project owners.
We also have been a proud OSHA Partner since 2013. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) entered a partnership with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) with the overall goal of creating safer job sites. To us, being an OSHA partner means that we are utilizing even more resources in the construction community to improve our safety management system.
We never would have been able to reach an achievement as major as 2 million man hours with no lost time accidents without the help of our incredible team. Our safety director & his committee played a large part, but at the end of the day the responsibility is everybody’s. Thank you to every person who has played a role in this. Stay safe, EBCO!
As summer 2019 is heating up, the EBCO team is looking forward to a busy few months of projects that will take us to Texas, Kentucky, and Washington. The construction industry continues to thrive, and we couldn’t be more proud to work with teams across the country building the future.
We’d like to highlight a few of our “Jobs of the Week.” As you can see, we’re experienced in building a variety of retail, restaurant, and automotive structures in a timely, professional manner.
Take a look at what EBCO has been up to so far this summer.
New Service Shop in Fort Worth
What a beautiful sunrise in Fort Worth, Texas, this past June at the site of a new Service First Automotive Center, one of our “Jobs of the Week”. This project for Cross Development is going up thanks to Bal-Con Builders, who built the pre-engineered metal building. This automotive tire and service shop houses 14 bays, tire storage, plus office and lobby areas.
Congrats to Cody
In July, we celebrated our very own Cody Scheffe! A recent graduate from Texas State Technical College, Cody qualified to attend the Skills USA National competition in Louisville, Kentucky. He placed 2nd in Carpentry, and we couldn’t be more excited for him. Well done and congratulations, Cody!!
Fast & Furious Remodel in Huntsville
The first “Job of the Week” for July was a fast and furious interior remodel of a Taco Bell in Huntsville, Texas. The front lobby, dining area, bathrooms, rear cooler and cooler room were completed in a short 14 days. This remodel was for our long time client, Tacala. Our relationship with Tacala encompasses over 80 Taco Bell restaurants and spans 20 years.
New Offices for Western International
Addison, Texas, is the home of a new office building for our long-time hospitality client, Western International. This beautiful new office will provide a larger, more efficient workplace for them to collaborate. We’re thankful to have been entrusted with another important piece of Western’s story.
As you can tell, we’ve started the summer with a bang. We are blessed to continue to work with the industry’s best and brightest teams. Look for the EBCO sign at a construction site near you!
Ground-up EBCO construction of a KFC restaurant in Greensboro, NC, delivering a modern, brand-aligned quick-service space built for efficiency and performance.
Project Description
The KFC Greensboro project was a ground-up restaurant build completed in Greensboro, North Carolina. Awarded in 2019, the project delivered a modern 1,803 square foot quick-service restaurant designed by Davidson Architecture and constructed to meet KFC’s brand standards, operational needs, and local code requirements.
EBCO managed the project from preconstruction through closeout, coordinating trades, schedules, and site execution to ensure a smooth and efficient build process. The team focused on quality craftsmanship, constructability, and consistency with national brand specifications.
The finished restaurant provides a durable, efficient, and brand-aligned space that supports both customer experience and back-of-house operations within a compact footprint.
Heartis MidCities represents EBCO’s capability to deliver healthcare and senior living projects that require a higher level of detail, compliance, and operational awareness. The project demonstrates disciplined execution within a healthcare context, where safety, reliability, and functionality are non-negotiable.
Project Description
The Heartis MidCities project is a senior living and healthcare-focused construction project delivered to support resident comfort, safety, and operational efficiency. Designed to balance hospitality-level finishes with healthcare-grade durability, the project reflects the specialized coordination required for occupied-use sensitivity, life-safety systems, and long-term care environments.
EBCO approached the project with a focus on precision planning, quality execution, and clear coordination across trades to meet the demands of a regulated healthcare setting. Special attention was given to building systems, accessibility requirements, and materials selected for longevity and ease of maintenance.
The completed facility provides a dependable, well-constructed environment that supports residents, caregivers, and staff while aligning with the expectations of modern senior living communities.
This year has had more than its fair share of challenges for us, as it has for everyone. COVID-19 hit us hard and the unknows just kept growing every day. As an essential business, we had to quickly scramble to figure out a way to keep our jobs going while keeping our people safe. It brought a wave of innovation and teamwork that was unparalleled, and for that we’re thankful. The majority of our office staff was sent to work remotely, and jobsites received an influx of PPE and sanitizer. Jobsite meetings were moved outdoors, and suddenly Zoom became a regular word in our vocabulary.
This year has also had its fair share of good news though!
New Regional Office Opening
EBCO is proud to announce the opening of a new Bryan-College Station regional office. This new commercial office space is located in Bryan, TX and will officially open its doors in December. We’re excited to expand our presence in Aggieland! We’ve worked closely with the cities of both Bryan and College Station for over twenty years on various projects, and we’re proud to partner with them again.
“When the opportunity to expand our presence in the BCS area presented itself, we all felt like it was the next obvious step for EBCO,” said John Egger, president and CEO. “The move closer to Texas A&M University will help us to further expand our internship program, to leverage the diverse talent pool, to expand our professional network, as well as increase our ability to better serve the market. We’re really excited about the opportunities that this move will open up for us.”
“I’m really excited to get set up in the new office and to get involved in the community,” remarked Joel Doland, a project manager for EBCO who will be relocating to the new building. “I’ve always loved what a close-knit community it seems to be, and love that they have such strong traditions.”
Our headquarters will remain open in Cameron, TX which will continue to staff the majority of our office staff, including our Accounting department, Human Resources, and IT. As we look to the future, we look forward to building new relationships and forming long lasting teams in the Bryan-College Station area.
Safety Committee Brings Home New Safety Awards
Our safety committee, which is led by our safety director John Lott, CSM, recently brought home two new safety awards. The 2020 Safety Award of Excellence was awarded to us by the Central Texas Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, and the national 2020 Safety Management System STEP Diamond Award. The STEP award is in recognition of the company’s Diamond Level of achievement and its ongoing efforts in the development of a quality safety program for 2020. EBCO’s safety committee is a voluntary committee of superintendents and project managers responsible for establishing company safety goals and guidelines, reviewing accidents/incidents, and providing feedback on current policy and procedure. Each member volunteers for a period of one year, and then a new committee is formed. This year’s safety committee consists of Michael Young – Superintendent, Rachelle Farmer – Project Manager, Jermaine Gaspard – Project Engineer, and Justin Jones – Construction Manager. Congratulations to all of our teams on their contributions in keeping our company a safe place to work!!
Employee Recognition: Jill Stermer
We are so proud of our very own Jill Stermer for receiving the Lion’s Club Gold Spur Award in District 2-S3. The award was presented to Jill for her outstanding service in the district during 2019-2020. Congratulations, Jill! She has been an involved Lion’s Club member since 2014 and enjoys the service aspect of volunteering and receives a special sense of reward screening children who might be in need of eye exams. This service helps improve the vision of children that might otherwise be overlooked or go without corrective lenses. Jill has been specially certified to operate the machinery that detects potential problems in vision. Previously, Jill has also participated in a reading program for children who are struggling with reading comprehension. And speaking of Jill, this year she celebrated her 25th anniversary here at EBCO! We wouldn’t be where we are today without her. She’s seen EBCO grow and change over the years, and has worn many hats. Jill has never shied away from a challenge, and has played an important role in our success. If there is one word for Jill, it is dedicated. We appreciate you, Jill! Thank you for your years of service to EBCO and your community!
As you can tell, we’ve started the summer with a bang. We are blessed to continue to work with the industry’s best and brightest teams. Look for the EBCO sign at a construction site near you!
It’s been a fast and furious summer, and EBCO General Contractors are ready to pass out the punch lists and finish the season strong. Our crews were up in Washington state, which was a nice break from the Texas heat.
Take a look at some of the jobs our team at EBCO has been up the past few weeks.
New Residence Inn in Washington
This beautiful new Residence Inn in Renton, Washington, is another one of our “Jobs of the Week.” Situated on a large hillside, this new hotel consists of two levels of parking garage and lobby under a concrete podium deck, with four floors of guest rooms above. It’s owned by our long-time client, Western International, out of Dallas, Texas. We’ve been working with Western since 2001 on over 60 hotels, and are grateful to be part of their team.
High Caliber Work in San Antonio
The new Caliber Collision in San Antonio, Texas, is our next “Job of the Week”. This is one of two auto body repair and paint shops currently under construction for Caliber Collision. Texas VA Electrical, LLC. is working on electrical layout inside of the building, MDJ Construction is pouring sidewalks, and Bal-con Builders continues with roof insulation and panels this week. Thanks to everyone for their hard work!
Christian Brothers in Rosenberg
Scaffolding had just gone up at the next “Job of the Week,” a Christian Brothers Automotive Center in Rosenberg, Texas. Ochoa Construction did the beautiful exterior masonry work. Our relationship with Christian Brothers Automotive Center spans 10 years and 45 projects. We’re thankful to be part of such a great team!
A Different Angle in DFW
This angle of the “Job of the Week” in Fort Worth, Texas, gives a great view of the cast-in-place parking garage and the framing of the Home2 Suites hotel above. Framing crews were working on upper floors, the pool shell was underway, and the plumbing and HVAC were being roughed-in (just to name a few). This new Hilton product is under construction for our new client, Southeastern, out of Augusta, Georgia.
The EBCO team always looks forward to working with longtime customers, as well as proving ourselves to new ones.
Contact EBCO today to learn more about job opportunities and upcoming projects.
