DeLuxe Blog (RSS 2.0 Feed)

Project Webcam: Dutchess Community College

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:16:00 -1000

View our progress on the Dutchess Community College residence hall with our onsite construction webcam.

Join Us at New Jersey Apartment Summit

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:25:00 -1000

John Erb, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for DeLuxe Building Systems, Inc., the largest privately held steel and concrete modular building manufacturer on the east coast, will be speaking at the New Jersey Apartment Summit on November 2, 2011.John will address the advantages of developing student housing, considered an alternative niche in the multifamily property spectrum. He will be sitting on a panel of speakers and discussing the unique challenges facing commercial real estate in relation to New Jersey's colleges and universities.John's experience in the modular industry began in 1987 on the production floor. Since that time, he has learned production, installation, and site management. John has worked his way from the production floor to sales management and on to senior management and holds degrees in Architecture and Construction Management. The New Jersey Apartment Summit is designed to provide timely, expert analysis on the commercial real estate industry. By bringing in the region's leading authorities, topics such as economic recovery, commercial multifamily investments, and market analysis can presented to industry professionals. Join us on November 2.

DeLuxe Manufactures Pre-Cast Concrete Panels

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:55:00 -1000

We opened a new production facility to manufacture pre-cast concrete panels in order to decrease the production time on our modular buildings.

Three Essentials to Know if You?re Designing and Building for Modular

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:31:00 -1000

Every architect and developer knows that the design process is quite possibly the most crucial part in the construction process of any new building. Before too much time, money and energy are all invested in a new project; items including the building site, design, budget and building materials are all taken into consideration. The building method is something that architects and developers also need to consider before beginning a new project. Deciding to build using either conventional or modular construction methods will affect the design and overall build process for any project. If the modular construction method is even being considered for a project, there are three things that architects and developers should know before they begin the design process. Collaborate – consult with a modular manufacturer as preliminary drawings are being completed by the architect. At this point in the design process, key design issues can be ironed out before a building’s design is set in stone. DeLuxe Building Systems works with developers and architects to value engineer projects, as well as pre-engineer projects to meet LEED® standards if necessary. Coordinate—be certain that your modular manufacturer will work with you and your design team to develop a project schedule as well as a project scope and specifications, to insure that your project is well planned and goes smoothly from start to finish. At DeLuxe, we bring a fully qualified team to the table to manage and coordinate your project. Accelerate—once begun, the modular construction process moves quickly and efficiently. Your building will likely be completed in less than half the time compared to conventional construction methods. Zoning/legal approvals, as well as any site preparation such as laying the building’s foundation should be completed at the same time that the building is under construction off-site. This parallel construction method means an accelerated time to building occupancy, and increased first year revenue for the building’s owners. In order for architects and developers to make the most of the modular construction method and recognize the multiple benefits of modular, knowledge of these three essential items will help to make your project successful. Additionally, whatever modular manufacturer you choose to work with, be sure that they are adequately prepared and staffed to handle your project from start to finish.

Total Project Coordination through Turnkey Construction

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:14:00 -1000

Last week we discussed how important total project coordination is to the success of a project. One key part of that integrated process is turnkey construction, which is the work that begins with setting modular units in place on a jobsite. Before turnkey even begins however, experienced DeLuxe project managers participate in critical ways from the very inception of the project, long before the first modular unit is delivered to the site – even before modular construction actually begins. These project managers stay involved right through the manufacturing phase, so that things go well later, on site. The managers develop schedules that are fully maintained throughout the project, that clients can literally take to the bank. Our guaranteed pricing is made possible in part by the managers’ skillful, knowledgeable participation. When modular units reach the jobsite from DeLuxe’s production facility, DeLuxe is there to manage every step up to the turnover of the completed project. (Preliminary site services such as excavation and foundation prep typically are handled by others.) DeLuxe will manage crews that will set the modular units and make them watertight, and establish all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing connections, insuring that the job is done right. At all times, DeLuxe project managers are making sure that every aspect of the work proceeds according to plan. Constant QC monitoring, coupled with continuous open dialogue among all divisions at Deluxe, avoids unwanted surprises. The project concludes with on-site crews completing all fit and finish elements, interior and exterior. The project is then turned over to the new owners for use. Exerting this level of management over a project is essential to the project’s success, and it allows DeLuxe to insure that a project is finished on time, and on budget. The end result? A building that’s in use in half the time or less compared to conventional construction methods. Finance interest costs are drastically cut. Impossible deadlines (like the start of a new semester or the tourist season) are met. Ultimately, it comes down to this: Deluxe understands what it takes to finish a project right. We have the established experience, structure and workforce to manage your project from start to finish. Now that’s total project coordination.

Maximize Modular Construction Benefits through Total Project Coordination

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:05:00 -1000

Coordination and project management – when you have them both on a construction project, your chances of getting good results go up exponentially. And in that situation, the specific benefits that modular construction offers are also powerfully magnified. Anyone who’s spent time on a construction jobsite knows what happens when the reverse situation prevails. When subcontractors are assembled only for one specific project, they may be badly out of synch. In the worst case, they may be at cross-purposes with one another. If coordination is lacking at any level, for any reason, time will be lost and money will be wasted. Better by far to arrange all-phase continuity from the start of the project, which happens to be an enormous benefit that DeLuxe Building Systems offers to its clients. DeLuxe’s construction division accounts for seamless continuity between the production facility and jobsite on our projects – and that makes all the difference in maximizing modular construction benefits. This collaboration on turnkey construction of our modular buildings cuts project time, insures fewer delays and cost overruns, and improves cash flow for our building customers. As Wes Minster, DeLuxe’s Director of Construction puts it, “Having someone who understands the entire process of modular construction on your team only makes sense. We have the same overhead and profit structure as any construction entity. But a professional knowledge of modular buildings and their features and benefits is a value not easily duplicated. Our long history has proven that only providing modular units and leaving the site work to someone else who has limited knowledge of the modular process is a poor business model. We want to be involved with the entire building, and not just provide modular units and leave someone else to figure out how to make the building work.” What this method of total project coordination produces – in contrast to less integrated approaches – is consistent on-time project completion, and this success is a matter of time and a matter of dollars. On-time completion to an accelerated schedule puts the building to work earlier. Once a building’s in service it can start returning investment. While it’s still being constructed, it’s on the wrong side of the balance sheet. Up-front price is a concern in every construction project. In truth, most customers realize that a true understanding of cost takes the whole picture into account. When site services are entrusted to DeLuxe Building Systems, the end result is a project completed successfully— through total project coordination. Next week we’ll discuss an important part of total project coordination, DeLuxe’s turnkey construction process. 

Reducing Risk through Guaranteed Pricing: Modular Doesn?t Gamble with your Budget

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:01:00 -1000

    It’s every developer’s worst nightmare: material prices have suddenly increased, and your general contractor is unable to finish the project without a budget increase.  We’ve all heard horror stories of escalating project costs; maybe you’ve even been in that unfortunate situation yourself as a developer, or a general contractor. Given the current economic conditions, projects are being built, but under tight budget restrictions.  Cost creep can prevent a project from being completed on-time—or at all. It can also affect end-user pricing. Rent or sale prices for apartments and condominiums, room rates for hotels, or student tuition may need to be increased beyond a point that is viable for the market. The bottom line? Projects simply must meet the budget goals established at the beginning of a project. The unfortunate reality is that many construction companies are unable guarantee their pricing. Mismanagement and inexperience can lead to cost overruns, and many companies are simply unwilling to make a fixed cost guarantee. This isn’t the case at DeLuxe Building Systems. We’re able to assure our clients of a fixed cost upfront because of our extensive pre-production planning, and our modular construction method.  Our project team and estimating department work with established vendors to generate an accurate project quote, insuring that our clients know what the modular portion of their project will cost, before they sign a final contract. This model prevents unforeseen expenses from arising, and change orders become virtually nonexistent. Additionally, DeLuxe’s structured and controlled method of construction insures that construction materials are properly ordered, and are not wasted. Specific material lists for each modular unit are determined upfront by our Engineering department for Purchasing. During the modular pre-production phase of construction, steel framing is cut precisely to size with state of the art custom equipment; insuring that none is wasted. In the present economy, funding for new construction is difficult to obtain and maintain; therefore keeping costs under control is a necessity in order to insure a successful and profitable project. The modular construction method combined with DeLuxe’s complete pre-production project planning reduces your risk and fixes your project cost at contract time, making your project costs a sure thing.

Greener and Cleaner: Modular Doesn?t Mess Around

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:22:00 -1000

Constructing buildings with our planet in mind is continuing to become the norm in both the residential and commercial construction markets. Eco-friendly buildings, as well as the method by which they are constructed may have once been considered a passing “fad”, but are now deemed to be standard.  A recently published article by EL Insights reports that the green building market will continue to see broad growth due in no small part to an increased sense of awareness and social responsibility. While green building has in recent years gone mainstream, in the world of modular construction, building green is a constant that has always been.    Although the modular construction method is naturally environmentally friendly, at DeLuxe, we make it even greener by building only with steel and not environmentally costly wood-framing.  We also utilize equipment that enables us to precisely cut to size structural steel, insuring practically no waste.  Aside from the obvious benefit of not wasting materials, the profit here is literally passed along to the client; using less material helps to keep project costs low.   The modular construction method is also cleaner compared to conventional site built construction methods. At DeLuxe, we build in our 250,000 square foot indoor climate controlled facility; our production isn’t affected by the weather. Indoor construction also means that your building will be protected from mold and mildew, and bug infestations. Our modular units undergo a continuous inspection process and are cleaned and then wrapped tightly before they leave our plant to be shipped to a jobsite.   There are many different outlets in which we can be involved with keeping our planet clean and healthy; building green, sustainable structures is just one way to make a contribution. The modular construction method has always been inherently sustainable and eco-friendly. DeLuxe is proud to have always used modular’s built in efficient method of construction, and make even more of a contribution to our planet and our future.