RK Redding Construction

A Message from Randall Redding As the season changes, it brings a sense of renewal at RKR. Hopefully the brisk temperatures refresh you during the Holiday Season. I am excited to share the latest issue of the Strong Foundations newsletter. In the first article, we spoke with West Georgia Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jennifer Shunn. She’s made a tremendous impact on housing across the entire region. RKR is honored to work with this extremely worthwhile non-profit organization to help construct homes for those in need. In a previous issue, we shared how workforce development was a focus for the construction industry, and it’s a topic that is still very relevant. In fact, I recently participated in an Atlanta Journal Constitution interview, along with the Associated General Contractors Association. May you enjoy the Holidays filled with love, laughter and family. Thanks for your friendship and continued support, Randall K. Redding President & CEO ...

RKR: Tell us a little about your background. Jennifer: Prior to working with West Ga Habitat for Humanity, my work experience had always been in universities in either enrollment management or development. When my husband and I moved to Carrollton in 2000, I chose to do freelance consultant work to better control my schedule while being a full-time mom. When a position became available at West Ga Habitat, I realized that I had an opportunity to work for an organization where I could really embrace my faith and make a difference in people’s lives. The position with Habitat allowed me to utilize both my employment and life experiences and my education in psychology and public administration. Working for the organization has been a big blessing in my life. RKR: What excites you about your role at Habitat and how have your responsibilities changed through the years? Jennifer: For the first 15-20 years, the West Ga Habitat was completely run by volunteers. In 2005, I was hired throu...

A message from Randall Redding The focus of this issue is on the construction industry, from a macro and micro perspective. Our first article is about pricing in the construction industry, which includes strategies about when to lock in pricing, how to plan for escalation, what trades are at a premium, and more. The article provides insightful information for those who manage these projects. We also spoke with Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC‐GA) CEO Mike Dunham. Having worked with AGC for almost 40 years, rest assured Mike has a lot to say about the construction industry and where it’s headed. If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I would like to congratulate the RKR team for receiving the 2018 Excellence in Safety Award from AGC‐Georgia for the fourth year in a row. Even more outstanding is being awarded the 2018 National AGC Safety Award. This national award from AGC is significant, because it recognizes RKR for having zero incidents for at least the past t...

In the construction world, there seems to be much conversation over the fearand uncertainty of rising project costs and the effect on budget and production. With politics and the current healthy economy playing influential roles, rising prices for materials and a seemingly everpresent shortage of workforce availability have led many to regard the industry’s future with nervous anticipation. In this atmosphere, clients with pending projects are adapting a proactive approach to mitigate their exposure. Meanwhile, selection committees are increasingly referring to the builder’s expertise, looking for ways to avoid cost escalation and minimize the  potential impact on the front end by achieving the GMP at the earliest date possible. Additionally, the workforce shortage has hit design firms, many of which are working at full capacity. This often results in delays of issuance of construction documents, thereby pushing bid solicitations and procurement dates out further than originally ...

RKR: Please share with us your background and how you came to work with the AGC as well as your current job and responsibilities? Mike: I am the luckiest person in the world because right after I graduated college I interviewed with a group of gentlemen at the Northeast Louisiana Contractors Association, a small chapter of AGC of America. They must have seen something in me because they gave me an opportunity to be their executive. I worked for that chapter for eight years and then went to work for a larger AGC chapter in Jacksonville, Florida. I spent six years in Florida and then was hired here at AGC Georgia in 1995. The person I replaced was the chief staff officer for 41 years. I’ve now worked within the AGC organization for 37 years. It’s been a tremendous career so far and my responsibilities as CEO are all encompassing, as any CEO job. As a statewide chapter, our general and specialty contractor members are big and small, perform public and private work and are from all reg...

A message from Randall Redding Spring hasn’t fully committed to springing, but with the changing of seasons, I gladly share with you the latest issue of the Strong Foundations newsletter. This quarter’s edition focuses on ministry and giving back, both in the sense of building a Retreat Center and of an individual who is making a significant contribution to the community with their passionate volunteerism. Our first article is about Lutheranch Retreat Center, an award-winning construction project that we recently completed. This year‐round ministry offers summer camping programs for 1st‐8th grade youth and confirmation camp for confirmands. RKR strived to make this a special place, while overcoming numerous construction obstacles such as challenging natural landscape with limited access to utilities, as well as incorporating resourceful creativity to add special touches throughout the facility. We also offer a Q&A with Laura Richards, Founder & Chair of the Friends ...

Called “a place apart to experience God and community,” Lutheranch is a harmonious marriage of a natural environment with modern conveniences. This retreat-style lodge was a CM at Risk project featuring two stories in one section of the building and a rusticmodern design throughout. Though beautiful, the isolated and lake-neighboring location held challenges as it was removed from paved roads and had limited utilities. To combat this, we used a temporary generator, employed methods of erosion control, and worked around the weather to make this project an award-winning success. Lutheranch offers many examples of RKR’s resourcefulness and creativity. When our team hit rock during the slab rough-in, we had to bring in specialty excavation equipment to remove 40 cubic yards of trench rock from the site. There were also numerous unusual installs, such as the roofing and dry sprinkler system, that required quick and creative thinking. Further, we installed hard wood flooring on top of co...

Share with us your background that led to you founding Carrollton GreenBelt. I am from Carrollton, but left in 1990 to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Then I moved back in 2009. While I was away, I biked across the United States and then led as a European guide for Vermont Bicycle Touring. That’s when it clicked for me regarding trails. I first rode with guests on trails separated from roads in the Netherlands. There I saw people holding hands while they biked and carrying pets and their groceries to the extent that it became more than a trail, but a really busy public space. Our Greenbelt serves that role as one of Carrollton's newest parks and showcases local natural wonders. It’s a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. What’s the most rewarding part of what you do/have done at GreenBelt? To see the city of Carrollton submit its application to be a bike friendly community was the most rewarding part to me. That designation is through the League of...