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Clarify goals or resolve disputes in
an atmosphere of mutual respect. |
Philip Crump, Mediator Ask for information!! |
About
Construction & Commercial Mediation
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People doing
business together—in a construction project or a commercial venture—have entered
into some form of contract. The contract may be a simple verbal agreement
sealed with a handshake—or a complex legal document. In either case, disputes
may arise concerning the process or goal of the contract. Mediation provides
an opportunity for a safe conversation to renew the agreements and the
underlying relationships. My own
background includes extensive experience in the construction industry (both
residential and commercial), starting in 1973. While my focus was primarily
with prefinished metal—roofing and architectural facings—as well as with
structural steel, I was involved with almost all aspects of the construction
process. Dare I say that answering the phone for a roofing contractor on a
rainy day is great on-the-job training for a mediator? And lest homeowners
think I’ll always side with contractors...let me point out that I am a
homeowner as well. DISPUTE RESOLUTION in the building arena
comes in a number of forms. There is, of course, mediation—the parties make the decisions themselves with the assistance of a
mediator. Question: Do you want to have control over the decisions or do you
want a stranger deciding things that will impact you? Then there’s arbitration, in which the
parties present information to the arbitrator, who then makes a decision
based on the facts as viewed by someone with expertise. (In addition to the
services that I am able to provide, I am affiliated with a group that
provides a large array of services, according to the needs of the
participants. Check out the website for Construction Dispute Resolution Services.) PARTNERING is a process in which
the people involved in a project (usually, in construction) come together
prior to start of the project to determine the common goals, the individual
responsibilities of the players and the communication paths which will
facilitate problem-prevention during the course of the project. Read more in
the article indicated below, based on
the experience of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Partnering can be a
valuable tool to prevent disputes and keep a project on task and on time. My own lengthy
construction background leads me to see in Partnering a natural extension of
the traditional—but underutilized—precon and weekly jobsite meetings;
Partnering more explicitly builds on personal communication for
problem-solving and conflict prevention. My experience
gives me the ability to communicate clearly with field workers and
professionals alike. In addition to facilitation for developing a Partnering
Charter, my professional services include ongoing mediation or consultation
to support Charter goals during the project. My approach is to provide the
highest quality assistance in ways that best serve all Partnering Team
members-not forcing them into any one-size-fits-all model. I'd love to
discuss this with you! Contact me
for free consultation! |