The Design Assistance Program is a valuable resource of concrete project design and technical assistance that is available through the Carolinas Ready Mixed Concrete Association in partnership with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.  Together we can assist you in choosing the right concrete solution for a wide variety of projects, from parking lots to paving to multi-family residential/mixed use to industrial and health care facilities.

Did you miss the Design Assistance Program Panel last month? Learn more about the program and how it can help propel your company into new business opportunities using the DAP Resource.

Design Assistance Form Design Assistance FAQ’s

 

Best Practices for Project Success

Gain expert advice on converting a project to concrete with the Design Assistance Program

Get involved with the project early, the earlier the better. Ask questions to understand what is important to the owner, or how you can best help the designer achieve an objective for the owner.

Take the time to gather pertinent project information, especially for local paving: preliminary site plan, details, and geotechnical report.

Showcase successful, local projects.

Have an owner’s Buy In to your DAP proposal early helps drive the other stakeholders’ engagement.

Make sure all parties are on board in pursuing design assistance (i.e. Owner, EOR, Architect, GC, Concrete Contractor). Through communication, you can quickly get a temperature on who is  open to alternate designs, or needs more information before feeling comfortable moving forward.

Work with a concrete contractor on the team

Ensure that project pricing is provided in a timely manner.

Follow-up with the project team, explaining the DAP report in detail.

 

Project Pitfalls & Lessons Learned

Utilize the Design Assistance Program for future concrete promotion and growth

  1. Timing is key. If you’re late to the process, even when parties are open, it’s more difficult to flip projects.  Strike while the iron is hot…delays will lead to it fizzling out.
  2. Not including a concrete contractor on the team.  Make sure you bring the right contractor’s to the table.
  3. Do not waste resources trying to convert a project from asphalt to concrete after the project is out to bid. Instead, discuss DAP as a future option for success.
  4. Not following-up with the owner to explain concrete pavement’s long term advantages, especially when truck traffic is involved (Life Cycle Costs).
  5. Do not lose hope if you lose one project flip. Even if an owner passes on one project, they are at least educated and it may turn into a win on a future project.