The Unified Group’s first ever Design-Build Forum attracted more than 40 HVACR industry professionals from across the nation. The diverse group shared best practices on topics ranging from design-build sales, pre-construction, RFPs, transitioning from design-build to plan spec and more. 

“What a fantastic group of professionals — all collaborating to help one another achieve success, growth and innovation,” General Sheet Metal’s Chris Neffendorf said. “It was an incredible experience, and I am looking forward to seeing the progressive growth and changes implemented after this forum in the near future.”

Chad Wiegmann and Craig Ross of Wiegmann Associates kicked off the forum with a look into their customer presentation approach. Afterward, Chris Neffendorf from General Sheet Metal, Mark Montgomery from frēijē Engineered Solutions and Justin Gray of Mechanical Service and Systems shared examples of successful design-build projects, showcasing innovative approaches and real-world results from across the industry. A panel discussion on the benefits of design-build work followed. Unified Group members shared insight on the profitability of design-build projects compared to more traditional approaches and offered valuable advice for those new to the design-build process.

“I really like the passion and innovative ideas around delivering value in the design environment that was evident in every presentation, breakout and panel,” Pansy Romo of Intech Mechanical said.

On day two, forum attendees took part in an exercise in which representatives from each company in attendance put together RFPs for theoretical projects, then shared them with their peers, openly discussing their process. It’s this kind of collaboration that makes Unified Group forums so beneficial and unique in the industry.

Other day two highlights included presentations from Chad Wiegmann and Craig Ross of Wiegmann Associates along with Jeff Beekman of Legacy Mechanical on budgeting and tracking changes and scope creep to update cost and assure full compensation during the job.  

“If I hadn’t attended this meeting, I would have missed the understanding of different ways companies handle HVAC that is sometimes completely different from what I experience in my day to day,” Michael Blanchard of Battaglia Industries said. 

The Unified Group’s first Design-Build Forum closed out with a lively bocce ball tournament — the only discernable competition all session!

If interested in learning more about attending a meeting or becoming a member of The Unified Group, contact Janet Kelleher at [email protected]. Upcoming forums include Service Management, the Annual Meeting and Owner’s Forum and Sales.