D. Kersey Construction was the low bidder on our building envelope repair project with a base bid of $170,764.00. The base bid assumes that they will be able to remove the existing metal sheeting intact and reuse it once the structural work is completed. Kersey also solicited an alternate bid in the amount of an additional $21,816.00 to replace, rather than reuse, the metal sheeting. I am skeptical that the sheeting can be removed and then replaced in a way that will be aesthetically acceptable to us. The sheeting is already 20+ years old. The likelihood of even the most skilled metalworking removing it, storing it, and reinstalling it without incurring noticeable dings or bends is low. Think of bending a sheet of tinfoil and then trying to get it to lay perfectly flat again after. If this weren’t on the north side of the building, most visible to passing traffic, I would say that we shouldn’t worry about any possible blemishes and have the contractor attempt to reuse the existing sheeting. But given the location of the material, its age, and the likelihood of our liking what it looks like should they try to reuse it, I think we should give strong consideration to accepting the additional bid. Worth mentioning in this regard is that the other bidder didn’t even bother to give us a base bid that didn’t include replacing the metal sheeting as they didn’t think it could be done in a way that would be acceptable to the customer.
Our Owner’s Representative, Dan Eallonardo, will be on hand to discuss this matter in greater detail. He has budgeted out the total cost of this project for us, including an 8% contingency, at a contractual cost not to exceed $207,986.40. If approved, construction would be scheduled for the coming spring.
Recommendation: I recommend that you approve the proposal from D. Kersey Construction in an amount not to exceed $207,986.40.