A hardison/downey client since 1999

hardison/downey began its relationship with Arizona Tile in 1999, building its corporate headquarters facility in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona Tile selected hardison/downey after receiving preliminary cost proposals from and interviewing six
other general contractors. One of the main reasons for our selection was the attention to detail shown in the initial budget. hardison/downey employs a policy of presenting realistic numbers to each client. This is achieved by working closely with both the client and the architect, to get a better understanding of the client’s business and how each part of the new facility will be utilized. Subcontractor input is also sought out early on in the process, to ensure accurate pricing that reflects current market conditions and fluctuating material costs. As a result, there are few surprises at the end of the project because no project details have been left out of the preliminary budget. “Mike Mongelli and Bob Hardison gave us a realistic budget number to get the (initial) job. It turned out they were only about 1.5% off, on the conservative side, using only very preliminary construction drawings,” states Gary Skarsten, Vice President and CFO of Arizona Tile.

Preselecting a general contractor, as Arizona Tile has done with hardison/downey, allows for a number of advantages on a project, including a more complete bid package and a better overall understanding of the project and the client’s needs. It also gives the contractor the ability to answer construction questions from the beginning to make the schedule easier to maintain and manage. Besides construction work, hardison/downey has also provided construction management services for Arizona Tile. hardison/ downey embraces an atmosphere of teamwork, and wants every client to feel as if they are working with an arm of their own company. One of the most beneficial areas of construction management that hardison/downey has provided for Arizona Tile is site analysis. This process consists of compiling data from the proposed sites to do a comparative analysis for the client. This tool has been very helpful in determining the best future sites from a constructability aspect.

hardison/downey brings a seasoned team of people to Arizona Tile. The Project Director, Project Manager and Superintendents have a combined 45 years of experience with the company. Says Skarsten about the two Superintendents who work on Arizona Tile’s projects, ”They are both well organized, offer cost savings ideas in a constructive manner and have clean, safe jobsites.”

Since the Tempe job, hardison/downey has constructed or is in the process of constructing additional facilities in Las Vegas, NV, Prescott, AZ, Ontario, CA and Murrietta, CA, and also provided construction management work on the Albuquerque, NM warehouse showroom. Skarsten says, “hardison/downey is a very important partner in our construction plans. They have provided a very high level of service to Arizona Tile. We have a great deal of respect for the entire organization’s construction knowledge and business ethics.”