Building Nevada - July 2001

SR Construction

Promoting the Benefits of Design/Build

In a rapidly growing city such as Las Vegas, there are many opportunities for a construction company that can create buildings to clients’ specifications at a desirable cost. For Las Vegas-based SR Construction, a new trend called design/build has proved successful. Established in 1991, SR Construction’s goals involve providing a higher degree of quality and greater level of construction service to the client, according to President Scott Loughridge. He has concentrated on and promoted the "team approach/design build" process as the best vehicle for providing a quality construction product for his clients.

As a member of the Design Build Institute of America, SR Construction focuses its efforts on providing a fast track, team approach. SR Construction takes the position of overall leader, with responsibility for the entire project from start to finish. The owner has historically been the arbitrator of any disputes between the contractors and design professionals, including architects. With design/build, the responsibility of ironing out differences and negotiating changes lies with SR Construction. This concept allows clients to concentrate on running their businesses instead of spending valuable time and resources supervising a construction process they may not fully understand. Client Carol Hall, president of Creative Kids Children Centers, feels there is more continuity between SR and her company because the gap is removed that usually places a company owner in the middle of a construction dispute. Another advantage of design/build is that, with one company handling both design and construction, there are fewer mistakes in the final product, according to Loughridge.  

With a wide range of commercial construction experience, the project managers and superintendents are involved in every step of the process, from preliminary design, budgeting and systems evaluation, to detailing the finishing touches. The SR Construction team consists of 24 employees, working alongside highly skilled and well-trained subcontractors, craftsmen and design professionals. The team completed more than $20 million in volume for 2000, and it expects to double that volume in 2001.

Many clients who have used the design/build method were pleased to find that it speeds up the entire construction process by coordinating all the different elements in the project from the beginning, according to Loughridge. SR Construction also incorporates "value engineering," a concept that saves money while maintaining the quality of the project. For example, value engineering can put a price tag on design elements that may be requested for aesthetic reasons. Someone with experience in construction can show clients the actual costs of these elements or changes, and offer less expensive alternatives if they are available.

SR Construction’s history includes the building of a wide array of structures such as churches, banks, parks, medical facilities, multi-story office buildings and daycare centers. Some of its clients include: Universal Health Services – The Valley Health System, The Howard Hughes Corporation, Realty Management, Inc., Creative Kids Learning Center, Donahue Schriber, Calvary Community Church and the Sundance Catalog Company.

The design/build construction method allows clients to maintain their original budget throughout the project and still receive the building they envisioned. SR Construction is currently working with Faith Community Church in the pre-construction phases of building the first facility the church can call its own. According to Pastor Ken Leiber, what SR Construction brings to the table is truly a partnership with a great design team and general contractor.