Senior Living Renovation is an Investment, Not an Expense.

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

With the number of new senior living communities recently opened or currently under construction, there is a growing need to update and refresh existing facilities to help improve their viability in the marketplace. 

As new senior housing communities, with all of the latest amenities and design trends, are coming online, older facilities need to position themselves as the better local option. The appearance and freshness of a community can have a significant impact on many aspects of a business. Having an attractive, appealing, and comfortable community can improve resident’s happiness and well-being, increase staff morale, and create a more positive public opinion, all which lead to increased occupancy and better financial performance of the community.

Investing in a renovation project can be a challenging process that can seem overwhelming and complicated.  The Douglas Company team has experience in planning and executing renovation projects.  We know and understand the unique requirements that skilled...

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John Burlazzi joins The Douglas Company Team as a new Senior Project Manager, Southeast Division

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

The Douglas Company, General Contractor, announces that John Burlazzi has joined the company as a new Senior Project Manager, Southeast Division, and will be working directly out of the Orlando, Florida office.

Mr. Burlazzi began his career and education in the architectural field and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from The New Jersey Institute of Technology. John is a 30-year construction industry veteran of both the public and private sectors with a strong background in varying types of development and construction projects, including multiple senior living, healthcare, governmental, educational, commercial, hospitality, multi-family communities, retail, and residential communities. 

In Mr. Burlazzi's new role he will be responsible for working with owners, architects and subcontractors during the construction process, which includes overseeing all construction activities, controlling building costs, maintaining the project schedule and ensuring that the highest quality product is delivered to our clients.

"John's level...

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Announcing Our New Website – Designed with You in Mind

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

After several months of hard work and dedication, The Douglas Company is thrilled to officially announce the launch of our new website! We invite you to visit us at douglascompany.com to learn more about our processes, services, culture, and to explore our project portfolio. 

Our new website coincides with our expanding role as an industry leading General Contractor specializing in the construction and renovation of senior living and multi-family projects. The primary objectives of the redesign of our site were focused on providing the opportunity to rediscover who we are as a company, our services and solutions, aesthetics, simplifying our content, and increasing the visibility of our brand. 

We built our new website with you in mind; you'll find our new site is divided into three main sections: Read More >

5 Trends to Look for in Commercial Construction in 2019

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

In what has been a historically slow adapting industry, we are beginning to see some evolving trends to traditional construction. Below is a list of trends to keep an eye out for in 2019 and beyond:

  1. Modular Construction: The modular construction market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9% from $112.4 Billion today to $157 Billion in 2023. This large growth is being driven by the reduced skilled labor force.
  2. Technology assisting human workers: There are subcontractor’s that are beginning to utilize robotics in assisting and working alongside their human workforce, whether it be tying lifting items, increasing productivity, etc. Those utilizing robotics believe they are reducing the physical strain on workers allowing them to prolong their working careers, as well as, reducing the repetitiveness/redundancy allowing workers to do more meaningful work.
  3. Design-Build’s Growing Popularity: FMI is predicting spending on design-build to increase around 18% in the...

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The Douglas Company is pleased to announce that Chris Vasel, PE has been Promoted to Project Manager

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

The Douglas Company, General Contractor, is pleased to announce the promotion of Chris Vasel to the position of Project Manager. In Mr. Vasel's new position, he will directly manage commercial construction projects from early development through project completion and will be responsible for overall cost, schedule and budget evaluation, as well as, all construction coordination. Chris Vasel is an alumnus of The Ohio State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Technology, Civil Engineering, and holds a Professional Engineer Certification. Chris started his career with The Douglas Company in 2015 and has taken on various roles as an Estimator, Field Engineer, Project Coordinator, progressing to Assistant Project Manager and currently accepting his new position of Project Manager. "We are consistently evaluating how to best contribute to the success of our employees, clients, and partners; Chris will be an integral part of our growth and success moving forward. He has worked...

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Punch Lists and Technology

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

A lot has changed with the rise of Construction Technology (“Con-Tech”), but one thing is still the same: The end of any job is the hardest part. There’s a lot of details to manage and stakeholders to keep communication with, all while working towards a smooth transition from our construction phase to our client’s activation and lease-up phase. A huge component of this that will forever remain a part of our industry is the punch list process. Thanks to Con-Tech, we have experienced a significant increase in efficiencies in this area. Some of these include:
  • Use of cloud-based platforms that allow continual sharing and updating of information between team and contractors.
  • With the use of new features, punch items can be added on-the-fly from any smartphone or tablet, making punch lists a continuous process throughout the job, instead of one big list at the end.
  • Bar codes and phone scanners...

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The Douglas Company has Broken Ground on Sand Hill Memory Care in Gainesville, Virginia

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

The Douglas Company, an award-winning Toledo, Ohio based general contractor specializing in multi-family, senior living, and mixed-use construction projects, has broken ground on Sand Hill Memory Care, a new $10.8 million memory care community in Gainesville, Virginia. The Developer, Dillin LLC, selected M&A Architects of Columbus, Ohio to design the 40,944 square foot single-story community, featuring 64 suites, multiple activity areas, commercial kitchen, spa, physical therapy, sunrooms, as well as, a salon and two interior courtyards. "We are excited to be building our third senior living community for Dillin LLC," said Hunter Kick, Project Coordinator of The Douglas Company. "Our partnership is truly about utilizing our strengths to create a senior living community that offers an unsurpassed standard of living to its residents. Our team is proud to be part of the development that brings this new option for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and other types of memory challenges to the Gainesville...

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The Douglas Company Announces The Completion Of A New Senior Living Community In Sylvania, Ohio

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

The Douglas Company, an award-winning Toledo, Ohio based general contractor specializing in multi-family, senior living, and mixed-use construction projects, announces the completion of a new senior living community in Sylvania, Ohio. Charter Senior Living at Oak Openings is a 48,882 square-foot community, developed by EBS Sylvania, LLC, delivers a combination of 52 assisted living and memory care suites for residents. The $8.6 million project was designed by M+A Architects and brings a new and modern standard in senior living to Sylvania and Toledo area residents. The one-story, contemporary community features first-class amenities, including full-service kitchen, billiards room, bistro, fitness room, salon, spa room, living rooms, activity areas, as well as, exterior courtyards and patios. "Our team is excited to be part of the project team of this new senior living community that will provide a new option in assisted living and memory care to the residents in our hometown," stated Alex Koch,...

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Not Your Father’s Senior Living Community

Posted on | by jyoakam

As the baby boomer generation begins turning 70, senior living providers will have tremendous opportunities.  At the same time, they will face the challenge of reinventing their business and providing innovative solutions to meet the needs and demands of this new generation. Today’s seniors are looking for options that deliver the comforts and amenities of home.  This trend is changing the design and construction of senior living communities.  Designers are incorporating more residential design elements and finishes into new buildings, resulting in vibrant and comfortable spaces that are very inviting for residents.  The buildings being designed and constructed today are not your father’s senior living facility. By involving a general contractor very early in the planning process, working collaboratively with the design team, an owner can understand costs, lead times and constructability of various design components, and have the ability to make timely decisions.  The general contractor can also provide potential alternative options...

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Economic Cycles in the Development Business

Posted on | by jyoakam

We have been a developer’s contractor since we opened over 40 years ago.  As everyone knows, our economy goes through cycles, positive and negative.  And the development economy has significantly greater swings than the general business economy.   2008-2010 had dramatic negative swings, but we have been on an upswing now for almost 10 years.  When the economy trends down, construction costs decrease, as do interest rates.  But more importantly, the rank of developers thins.  Those with limited experience and capital can’t get deals done so exit the market, while the strong take advantage of lower prices and interest rates, but also a distressed inventory, and get stronger. The uptick in the economy creates the opportunity to be active for these people, but also the perception of opportunity for new entrants to the market.  Some are well capitalized, but with limited experience and expertise, and they can get deals done with the...

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The Douglas Company Celebrates the Completion of Construction with Owners Confluent Development and Harbor Retirement Associates

Posted on | by Nikki Lopez

The Douglas Company, an award-winning Toledo, Ohio based general contractor specializing in senior living, multi-family and mixed-use construction projects celebrates the completion of construction with owners Confluent Development and Harbor Retirement Associates at the grand opening of HarborChase of Beavercreek Senior Living Community in Beavercreek, Ohio. This $21.5 million community, designed by Eppstein Uhen Architects, brings a new modern standard in senior housing to the Dayton area residents. The 123,000 square-foot luxury retirement community consists of 64 assisted living and 46 memory care apartments in a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom options. The two-story contemporary community features first-class amenities including a bistro, bar, large dining rooms, multiple serving kitchens, multiple activity areas, salon and pedicure, wellness center, two enclosed courtyards, putting green, outdoor fireplace and seating area, exterior fountains, and several private balconies. "We are enthusiastic in announcing the completion of construction on this beautiful luxury senior living community that provides...

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Bidding Budgets

Posted on | by jyoakam

In the spirit of being a consultant I wanted to discuss a topic that we have seen create frustration and cost money for some developers.  Bidding Budgets; or “bidgeting” as we have heard it called.  It is when early drawings are put out to multiple General Contractors for the purpose of obtaining their budget estimate which will be utilized to select the contractor for the job.  In the beginning, the intent may have been to go with the best OVERALL choice, but in the end, the contractor with the lowest budget estimate is selected to work with going forward.  This is not working on a negotiated basis, this is bidding budgets. There are inherent risks to this process and at the end of the day, it doesn’t necessarily provide you with the best price solution (one of our brand promises by the way) that you were looking to move forward within...

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