New firm offers construction-related guidance

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Roger Day knew starting over wouldn't be easy, but he decided to do it anyway. In 1997, he moved to Springfield from Champaign, Ill., to be closer to his elderly parents and his oldest son, who was attending college at the University of Missouri in Rolla.|ret||ret||tab|

After moving to Springfield, Day worked for a building products company for one year, after which he was em-ployed as a project manager at the Springfield architectural and engineering firm of Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. In June, he left the firm and started his own business, R.A. Day Construction Services.|ret||ret||tab|

It was the second time Day had struck out on his own. Prior to moving to Springfield, he had for seven years run his own construction consulting services company, which provided a wide range of services to contractors, suppliers, architects and private clients.|ret||ret||tab|

"This time, I knew what worked when it came to getting clients," Day said. "Back in 1990, when I started my first business, I began publishing a newsletter. I thought if I let people know about the services I provided, it would attract clients. It didn't."|ret||ret||tab|

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Clients through networking|ret||ret||tab|

Day realized then that the best way to develop clients was through networking, so he joined civic and professional or-ganizations in Champaign. Since moving to Springfield, he has become active in the local community, as well. He currently serves as vice president and president-elect of the Southwest Missouri Code Officials chapter, which has 120 members and serves 17 counties.|ret||ret||tab|

"The design and construction process is very complex," according to Day. "You can't assume anything. You must find out how to do it correctly. I always tell clients that in the end, it's easier to do it right than any other way."|ret||ret||tab|

Helping clients with conformance to building codes is just one of the many services Day offers through R.A. Day Construction Services. The firm also performs cost estimating, quantity surveys, bidding assistance and project coordination for its clients. Day also produces submittals and shop drawings, helps clients who are involved in contract disputes, provides inspection services for existing buildings and projects under construction, and provides other general design and construction guidance.|ret||ret||tab|

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Construction background|ret||ret||tab|

Day's career has included working in several construction trades, as well as employment both with architectural firms and general contractors. He also spent more than five years as a principal investigator for the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory in Champaign, during which he managed several major computer projects that supported the U.S. Army's construction program and the Corps of Engineers civil works program. When funding for basic research at the laboratory was cut in favor of other missions, the challenge diminished and Day decided it was time to move on. He then started his own business, which he managed between 1990 and 1997 in the Champaign area.|ret||ret||tab|

"I believe everyone has an obligation to use their God-given abilities," he said, "Managing your own business allows you to use more of your abilities and pursue a wider range of activities than you can as an employee of another firm."|ret||ret||tab|

Day has put his wide experience to good use working for area contractors, subcontractors, home builders and developers. He also reviews plans for code conformance for both the city of Springfield and the city of Republic.|ret||ret||tab|

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Cost effectiveness|ret||ret||tab|

When working with clients who are planning projects, Day helps them with cost-effectiveness guidance. Many people believe the way to save money on a construction project is to reduce building materials and methods to their minimum standards, Day said; however, he be-lieves that reducing labor costs is a better way to save money. He has identified four principles to apply in reducing costs while not adversely affecting the goals of a project. He also helps clients avoid or reduce losses during construction. "I've saved clients significant sums of money with only a few hours of consulting time," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Because Day's experience has spanned 27 years, he finds himself with a variety of tools at hand. While he owns the latest computer drafting software, he also has two drafting boards that he still knows how to use. "When the power goes out, I can keep drawing," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Day has yet to retire a computer and has four dating between 1991 and 2001; but he said his best tool is his communication skills, which he considers essential to serving clients and solving problems.|ret||ret||tab|

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Sidelights|ret||ret||tab|

In addition to his activities at R.A. Day Construction Services, Day has several sidelight interests. These include developing a syndicated cartoon feature of whimsical invention ideas; designing a Web site for marketing "The Server's Guide," an illustrated guide he wrote in 1996 for those who wait on tables; and exploring offering a workshop to help doctors print by hand more quickly and neatly, using only six basic strokes. [[In-content Ad]]