We are pleased to announce that Richard Fogarasi MBA, BASc (Hons), P.Eng, has joined Lakeland Consulting Inc. as Vice President. Prior to this, Richard was a Principal with HKA and a Vice President with it’s predecessor, Knowles Consultancy Services for 12 years. Richard has been retained as a delay and quantum expert in construction disputes and has testified as an expert at arbitration and litigation. He has also been engaged by Canadian based surety companies to assist with the completion of projects and resolution of claims under performance bonds in contractor default situations.

Arif Ghaffur BSc (Hons), PQS, FRICS, MCIArb, President said “Richard is an excellent addition as we continue to grow our Canadian business. He has over 25 years of experience in estimating, field engineering, project management, and construction claims and has excellent knowledge of the local markets. Richard is focused on growing our impressive list of clients and developing our personnel to establish Lakeland Consulting Inc. as the pre-eminent Canadian provider of Commercial Management Expertise”. Richard will be based at our Oakville, Ontario office – please feel free to reach out to him.

RICS-qualified professionals, including Fellows (FRICS), Professional Members (MRICS) and Associate Members (AssocRICS), and regulated firms are entitled to use the RICS logo. All RICS-qualified professionals and regulated firms must read our guidelines prior to using the RICS logo and ensure it is being used correctly.  Please see this important information by visiting the RCIS website at https://www.rics.org/north-america/footer/use-of-the-rics-logo/

Excellent Research Report released in the PlanGrid 2018 Industry Report entitled “Construction Disconnected – Rethinking how project data and mobile collaboration can reduce costs and improve schedules”. Interesting and insightful reads on where construction teams spend and lose time, the burden on the construction industry of poor data and communication, prioritizing tech investments for the field, and getting the most out of your mobile devices by utilizing construction apps. PlanGrid partnered with FMI Corporation to survey construction leaders about how teams spend time and leverage technology investments. The results indicate that time spent on non-optimal activities such as fixing mistakes, looking for project data and managing conflict resolution accounts for $177.5 billion in labor costs per year in the U.S. alone. The study found that rework caused by miscommunication and poor project data will cost the U.S. construction industry more than $31 billion in 2018.  Review the full article here:

https://www.plangrid.com/press/fmi/

At Lakeland Consulting Inc., we feel it is vital to support initiatives within our Region, Province, and country that support youth to overcome challenges they may face that prevent them from realizing their full potential. In 2018, our corporate charitable focus has been on the following two outstanding charitable organizations whose work embodies Lakelands values.

Project Canoe

Project Canoe provides youth with the opportunity to experience wilderness canoe trips in northern Ontario each summer. Additionally, they offer programs in Toronto throughout the year that help youth build on the successes of their trip.

Project Canoe’s focus is on youth who might otherwise miss out on the experience of outdoor adventure as a result of systemic or mental health barriers they face in their lives.  You can find out more about this worthy Registered Charity by following this link:

https://canoe.org/

Indspire 

Indspire is a national Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. Indspire is led by Indigenous people for Indigenous people.

They serve First Nation, Inuit, and Métis students in remote communities, rural areas and urban centres across Canada, and their vision is to enrich Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement. You can find out more about this worthy Registered Charity by following this link:

http://indspire.ca/

At Lakeland Consulting Inc., we believe in the power of todays youth to lead tomorrows world. Each of these organizations seeks to enable youth to aim higher and help them recognize the ability of the human spirit to overcome barriers to success. Congratulations to both organizations for their tireless efforts to support young people who need assistance getting ahead!

The CIQS formed the CIQS Federal Review Committee, comprised of Arif Ghaffur as Chair and both Craig Bye and Arran Brannigan as Members, to respond to the requested review.  After a thorough and lengthy review process, the CIQS provided a written report and our committee Chair and Members made a verbal presentation of our findings and recommendations to the Federal review team from Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP.

We are pleased to report that the CIQS Federal Review Committee’s Expert Review was greatly appreciated, and gratitude for our efforts and time spent has been received.  It was noted that our organization, along with others, was instrumental in helping to achieve the government’s mandate on this important Act.

Construction Delay Analysis – Art or Science? The saga continues. “The areas of project tracking, reporting and analysis have experienced exponential growth in recent years. Technological improvements have impacted the construction industry and, over time, led to narrower specializations. The construction industry continues to see the emergence of more highly skilled and trained experts as increasingly sophisticated forensic software comes to market. Similarly, the growth of diverse views and opinions about the use of these tools has become more prevalent. The diversity of opinion has transcended all facets of the industry including the legal and alternative dispute resolution systems….”   Article Written by Antoine Aurelis – Director, Contracts & Commercial Lakeland Consulting Inc. Please view the entire article in the Summer 2018 edition of the Construction Economist – Page 34 http://www.ciqs.org/pdf/publications/ciqs/ciqs-construction-economist-2018-2-summer.pdf

Does our industry learn from our mistakes, or are we following the same patterns and expecting different outcomes? Recently, Arcadis Design and Consultancy released its Global Construction Disputes Report, 2018, entitled “Does the Construction Industry Learn From Its Mistakes?” A sample of some of the excellent information in this report includes the following excerpts: Global Findings for 2018 • The global average value of disputes was US$43.4 million • The global average length of disputes increased slightly to 14.8 months POOR CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Remains the Number One Cause of Construction Disputes North American Results For the fourth year running, the most common cause for disputes in North America throughout 2017 was errors and/or omissions in the contract documentation. In last year’s report we predicted that in 2017 there would be a decline in the duration and value of disputes …. Unfortunately, this was not the case, which raises the question and the theme of this disputes report, is the industry learning from its mistakes when it comes to disputes? Read more of this excellent report, and other articles on the subject by Arcadis at:  https://www.arcadis.com/en/united-states/our-perspectives/global-construction-disputes-report-2018-does-the-construction-industry-learn-from-its-mistakes/

Lakeland Consulting Inc. and our employees are extremely proud to acknowledge the achievement of Zain Ghaffur, Lakeland’s Contracts and Commercial Specialist, on his Graduation with a Bachelor of Science, First Class Honours, in Quantity Surveying from the University of Salford in Manchester, England, and for receiving the 2018 Built Environment Student Prize in Civil Engineering Surveying from the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES). Please join us in congratulating Zain on his significant achievement and well-deserved recognition!

The Canadian Construction Association has released its commissioned Indigenous Engagement Guide, researched and written by Indigenous Works (formerly Aboriginal Human Resource Council), to assist the construction industry in engaging more fully with Indigenous companies and communities across Canada.  This important guide offers general information, guidance and insights into indigenous engagement strategies that will help companies increase indigenous workplace performance and build successful engagements and relationships with indigenous people, business and communities.  Please follow the link to our Website News section to learn more about how to access this Guide:

http://www.cca-acc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IndigenousEngagementGuide.pdf