Grade A Training and Consulting

Various Inspections: (Phase Inspections, Punch List Inspection Process, verification inspection, Homeowner inspection/orientation, pre closing inspection, subcontractor inspection)

Tolerance List: This list serves as a guide for the inspector to know what items he/she will call out during inspection, and also for your warranty manager to know what to repair during a warranty claim. Example: “Our company doesn’t call out or cover any interior concrete cracks under ¼”

Common Issues & Solution List: This list serves as a solution for employees or contractors to refer to when dealing with common issues that they may find themselves in during a project. Example: Issue & description: Water leaks are common when P-traps are installed with a cross threaded attachment. Solution: Always use a water meter key to shut off the water to home during a water leak. Afterwards, immediately call plumber for repair if you cannot repair p-trap yourself.

Sub/Vendor List: This is a running list of all the subcontractors and vendors you work with and have contracts with. This list promotes consistency, as working with the same people helps streamline communication and consistency. It also ensures you are hiring people whose paperwork you already have on file. ​

How to keep Superintendents Accountable over their jobs: Here at Grade A we believe there are methods in which you can promote accountability with your employees. Some examples include: “Ride a longs”, “Enforcing signatures on inspection reports” and more. ​

How to discuss quality in meetings: Some Examples: Sharing common issues of the week, screen sharing your inspection reports for your team to see, and addressing any repeated defects that are becoming a pattern. ​

Standards of Practice: Company Guidelines that ensure your employees know how to perform their jobs. Examples: "Our company always inspect to ensure there is enough rebar in block foundation walls", or "We call out any drywall defects that can be seen from at least 6’ away in natural light". ​

Standard Operating Procedures: This is a step by step instructional guide compared to a more broad general guideline that the standard of practice is. Example: “All emergencies should be immediately reported to the senior project manager and safety protocols should take place”. Then steps will be listed that employees should take to resolve the issue. ​

Install guides for Employees & Subcontractors: This serves as a guide for subcontractors to follow for items that are often installed incorrectly or forgotten about. Example: We put ½” wide, 7” long foundation bolts every 12” from the end of our plates. ​

Design & Estimating verification: Here at Grade A, we recommend you double checks our estimators and blueprints, to ensure they conform to code, our standards, and the materials we use.