The success of every project depends on the communication between all team members throughout the project and a clear understanding of the owner’s goals. While this sounds obvious, it is amazing how many projects start off without a proper kick off meeting and without a CLEAR understanding of the owner’s goals. It is the owner’s money at stake, and not just the amount spent on a renovation, but rather, the entire hotel asset and its ROI is the owner’s interest during and after any CapEx work. What is the owner’s ownership time horizon? What is the owner’s capital structure and lender requirements? What is the specific target market the owner is trying to address?

During the beginning of a project, every goal the owner has should be clearly presented. Once the major goals are understood, team members can

dive into the project specific goals, whether it be the budget, schedule, minimum brands standards during a PIP, life safety, technology, new brand standard roll out, LEED points, W/MBE goals, etc. A valuable tool to assist in this conversation and document all team members roles and responsibilities is a differentiation document. A well defined differentiation document will cover the key areas of “design/specified by; purchased by; and received/installed by” for every item. Once the owner’s goals are clearly defined and the differentiation document is agreed to by all parties, the team has the ability to work toward the owner’s project specific definition of “a win.”

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Written by: Alan Benjamin

As the market becomes more competitive, so does pricing. There are several factors to consider when reviewing vendor bids. Keep in mind, the unit cost is not always the total cost.

• Lead time: If schedule is critical and lead time is an issue, this is something that should be reviewed and carefully considered.
• Logistics: A vendor’s distance to site, or more specifically looking at the FOB point as way to add value and potentially save time in your project. Comparing the overall freight costs and transit times can afford an overall savings to the project. If your vendor is located close to the project site and items will be installed immediately, consider blanket wrap shipments. This can reduce freight, cartoning costs, and trash disposal.
• Duties and/or tariffs: If applicable should also be considered when importing goods.
• Cartoning or crating of items: Specifically casegoods and upholstered seating, can add cost to your bottom line of $10 to $20 per unit. This should be included by all vendors if required and can create variances in bids.
• COM (customers own material) quantities. This is the quantity of fabric per item that the manufacturer states is required. This quantity usually varies from vendor to vendor and sometimes by quite a bit. Comparing total fabric costs along with manufacturing costs gives you an inclusive all in cost of the item, which in turn allows you to see where your best value is.

Your Benjamin West project manager can also highlight considerations you should be reviewing on specific items, so that you can be sure you are considering all relevant factors.

Written by:

Garland Stiles, Project Director
Katherine Sprague, Project Manager
Kathryn Pol, Strategic Account Director

Questions and Considerations:

• Did the seating manufacturer account for the pattern repeat when quoting the COM yardage requirement?
• Railroaded fabrics generally allow the lowest fabric requirement. (Fabric bolt runs left to right instead of top to bottom on the piece.)
• Sofa Sleepers, Sizing: What fits best?
• Queen mechanism requires 68” be- tween the arms and allows for a 60” wide mattress
• Full (aka Double) mechanism requires 60” between the arms and allows for a 54” wide mattress.

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Written by: Diane Cudworth, Project Director

The number of independent senior living facilities is growing at steady rate of within the United States. To meet the demands of America’s “baby boom” generation who are now entering their retirement years, the senior living industry is gearing up for the largest expansion in its history. To accommodate this growth, manufactures specializing in furniture, wall coverings, lighting and art, are gearing up as well.

In comparison to Hospitality FF&E, senior living FF&E and design is similar however, age related dynamics such as “way finding”, ergonomic requirements, bacteria control, and safety measures, to name just a few, must be taken into consideration when servicing the senior living client. Although the senior living segment requires a sensitive and thoughtful approach conducive to providing a product or service to the aging community, this industry is by no means a reflection of your great grand-mother’s retirement home. Living is the key word here as “baby boomers” are redefining what retirement means and how one should go about their daily lives as a “senior citizen”. In other words, we have entered the age of living without boundaries while, securing an environment that enhances the retirement lifestyle in addition to providing the care that is needed, in the manner in which one chooses to receive it. Freedom and peace of mind is the new paradigm as wellness and prevention is paramount to ensuring a healthy tomorrow for America’s seniors.

To build upon the expectation of sensitive service with impactful results, Benjamin West has formed a new business unit, Benjamin West – Senior Living, to drive economic efficiencies at the facility level of senior living organizations as well as to enhance the overall quality of life for community residents. Lead by Dan Hennessy and headquartered in Benjamin West’s Chicago office, Benjamin West – Senior Living will provide the same level of service, scope and capabilities found within our traditional hospitality service offering while meeting the specific needs of the senior living industry. For more information regarding Benjamin West – Senior Living, please contact:

Dan Hennessy
847-707-7592
dhennessy@benjaminwest.com