Author: steph olson

The Drive Behind the Pink Chariot

Posted on by steph olson

Ronco Construction’s Pink Chariot aims to raise awareness and support for Chariots4Hope.

Picture this: It was a sunny day on a golf course in the summer of 2023. Ronco Construction’s Chief Operating Officer, Mike L., and Project Manager, Nate B., decided the golf game they were playing wouldn’t be complete without a friendly competition. The stakes? The loser has a punishment to be decided by the winner. And the length of the punishment is based on how bad they lost. Well, Mike lost, and the punishment timeframe was three weeks.

The Pink Van

Once the outcome of the bet hit the Ronco grapevine, brainstorming on punishment exploded. Ideas like wearing a crazy wig or bad toupee, dressing like a movie character, working from a tiny desk in the Ronco office hallway, or even wearing a hotdog costume were all on the table. Then, there was a suggestion to find a  vehicle and wrap or paint it to be eye-catching (and a little obnoxious). That idea was the winner. Especially since it was Barbie-mania from the release of the summer blockbuster, and a bright pink van was sure to stand out on the streets. So, using that as inspiration, the plan for the pink van was set in motion. Painted a striking bubblegum pink with playful flower decals, this van was designed to turn heads and spark conversations.

Enter Chariots4Hope

As plans for the pink van started taking shape, we knew we wanted to use the attention it was sure to garner to help raise awareness for a worthy cause. That’s where Chariots4Hope comes in. Chariots4Hope is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing reliable transportation to individuals in need. Their mission is to remove transportation barriers that prevent struggling families and individuals from reaching and maintaining self-sufficiency. After learning more about their story, we knew we had found the perfect partner. Through our partnership, we aim to not only raise awareness but also contribute to the life-changing work of Chariots4Hope. So, the pink van became the Pink Chariot.

A Habit of Giving Back

Partnerships like the one with Chariots4Hope isn’t new to Ronco. Since 1976, we’ve made it our mission to not only build structures but also provide support within our community. We believe giving back is ingrained in our DNA — it’s natural for us to look for ways we can make a positive impact where it’s needed most. Our philanthropic program, Ronco Gives, is supported by the company and our employees. We look for ways we can contribute financially, in kind, through volunteerism, or in this case, raising awareness. And each year we find an organization we want to be our focused initiative. In 2022, it was the Foodbank of the Heartland. In 2023, it was Soles4Souls. And this year, it’s Chariots4Hope.

“It all started with my mom and dad,” explains Zak Olsen, Ronco’s second-generation president. “They were very philanthropic minded and constantly looking for ways to help improve our community. I’ve always loved the saying ‘be a fountain, not a drain,’ and opportunities like this allow us to be that fountain and give back.”

See. Snap. Share.

As the Pink Chariot is driving around Omaha, Neb., we’re encouraging everyone to See, Snap, Share. See the van, snap a picture (safely of course and not while driving) and share on social media, tagging @Chariots4Hope and #RoncoGives. For every unique tag we receive in 2024, Ronco Gives plans to donate to Chariots4Hope.

If you want to support Chariots4Hope and their mission through a monetary donation, click here.

Three Construction Services from Commercial Construction Contractors

Posted on by steph olson

Learn the difference between three common construction services.

When you think about a commercial construction company, what do you think of? A company who physically builds a large-scale building like an office or shopping mall? While that’s right, commercial construction contractors do more than just build the structure. They can offer a wide range of construction services to help owners and developers bring projects to life and keep them in tip-top-shape over the course of their life. You can include a contractor at the start of a project to leverage their expertise from the get-go. Or if your project is designed and ready to break ground, a commercial contractor can do what they do best — build it.

Let’s explore three common construction services commercial construction companies offer and how they relate to your project’s wants and needs.

Concept Planning

So, you have a big idea or a dream for a new project. Maybe even a sketch of what you want it to look like on cocktail napkin. Concept planning is taking that big idea and determining:

  1. Is it actually possible?
  2. Does the cost pencil out to make it possible? A commercial construction contractor can help you determine if you have the budget, timeline and location. Need to know if your dream is out of budget? Ask a contractor who deals with estimates and budgets daily and has a pulse on the latest market trends. Want help evaluating a potential location? A contractor who has built hundreds of buildings can bring a new perspective and keen assessment of existing conditions and potential issues. Plus, a contractor can help find the rest of the team from architect and engineer to potential partners and financing.

By the end of the concept planning phase, you have a ballpark budget, rough schedule and a quality team. And all of that sets you up for success as you move to the preconstruction phase.

Preconstruction

The lion’s share of a project’s success is determined before a shovel even hits the ground. The preconstruction process is a calculated, collaborative effort. Using next to nothing for a design, commercial construction contractors can produce estimates with substantial detail and accuracy. As the design progresses, preconstruction teams use their expertise and creativity to share recommendations for cost- and time-saving options. The value of early insight really shines through when you can identify and eliminate potential risks. Typical deliverables in the preconstruction phase include cost estimates, system analysis, a procurement schedule (necessary with long, lead-time items), master schedule, market trend evaluations, site logistics, 3D modeling, permitting and much more.

Construction

Construction management and general contracting services handle all aspects of a construction project, including hiring subcontractors, managing the project timeline, budget and resources. The project team manages the day-to-day operations of the job and acts as the owner’s representative, ensuring the we complete the project to the owner’s satisfaction.

When you bring a commercial construction contractor into the project in the early phases, they can share their experience and expertise during preconstruction phase all the way through construction. Think of it as everyone is on the same side of the table, working together to maximize value and deliver on the project goals. They collect competitive bids for all trade contracts to ensure you get the best price from qualified subcontractors. They collaborate to find the best sequence of operations and outline best practices for quality and safety.

Deliverables for construction services include the finished project (duh) . But also includes many things throughout the project lifecycle including regular safety inspections, quality control, document management, testing and inspecting, and owner training.

There’s no questioning it — construction projects are complex. In order to find the best fit for your project, it’s crucial to understand the types of constructions services available. Then it’s just a matter of finding the best commercial contractor to do that job and deliver high-quality results.