Window washing, painting, asphalt Cancel The title field is required!

1. Chuck Barber

   

   0 posts
   
   6/18/2011 9:06 AM

   I was hoping someone out here has communicated more effectively than I have to an employer about how to allocate labor for something that isn't necessarily the job traditionally of a grounds department. I know we all wear many hats and I am trying to create an opportunity to add value to our staff but it is becoming difficult to manage the 'add-ons' where I work. In the last month we have been asked to paint many of the hotel area exteriors, wash windows along guest corridors and patch or replace larger scale asphalt areas than we are not equipped to handle. Each of these tasks is on a large scale where we have no dedicated resources of any kind. I agree that the work needs to be done but our staff are not asphalt contractors, window washers or in the trades (painting, carpentry, plumbing, etc). Yes, we have talented staff that can perform these things but at the same time I am being reminded again and again on the need to save/cut labor expenses. How can you manage the discussion in a positive way and reason that adding MORE work doesn't save money? We have a 27-hole golf course, 35 acres of park land we maintain for free and more landscaping at the hotel than you can shake a stick at on an additional ten acres plus 13 acres of parking lot space. All of this is on 275 acres of land. We dedicate one manager to the hotel landscaping and 7 associates of whom 5 work 40 hours a week. That leaves 16 dedicated associates (15 that work 40 per week), myself and one manager for the golf course and one equipment technician. Does that seem like a lot of dudes to you guys? Am I wasting human capital? Any opinion would be great.

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   6/18/2011 10:06 AM

   Sounds like it's not enough guys!
   
   We run 50+ on 250 acres of just golf, another 90+ on 400 acres of residential landscaping. On top of all that, our clubhouses and commercial buildings are contracted out to another 3 companies, each of which run about 7-10 guys full time on our property. And any of the "extra" work you mentioned is contracted out.

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   6/18/2011 11:06 AM

   You need to present a cause and effect scenario. Basically if you are forced to complete these "other" tasks, what tasks are going to be deleted or delayed. I've done the same thing for the last 3 years when I am asked to look for ways to reduce my budget. "I can skip this application of pre-emergent but we will have increased weed pressure, I can reduce my staff but any extra projects will not be completed," etc.... This is where having man hours required to complete jobs comes in handy. Having concrete facts help to limit the perception of you trying to make excuses for not doing things. Helps put the ball in their court and they can take some responsibility for their demands. Another thing, if you are asked to do things that are out of your scope or regular trades and there is any liability or insurance issue that can arise from this, that may change their mind. One course I was at had a limit on our insurance policy as to the height our guys could go for tree trimming. They were not allowed to go above 6 ft (or 15 ft....I don't remember). Anything above that had to be contracted out.
   
   Hope that gives you some ideas.

   
   
   
   
4. Homme David R

   
   6/18/2011 4:06 PM

   I would get quotes on all the above mentioned items. Then compare that to the costs in-house. Often, you will find it is not cheaper to do it in-house. Add in overtime needed, so as to not cut corners on the course.
   
   It all comes down to numbers with the suits. Play their game.
   
   Dave Homme, Superintendent
   The Falls Resort

   
   
   
   
5. Chuck Barber

   

   0 posts
   
   6/19/2011 7:06 AM

   I have labor hours, manpower spreadsheets and the like. I have failed to communicate to the GM, I think, how little wiggle room we have in our department. I have to think of something to illustrate what another task going uncompleted will mean. I will keep you guys posted. Andy, I think you're right. We don't have enough guys. If you look on our google earth image you can get a good idea of how big this place is (indian lakes resort, bloomingdale Il). The image was taken after a flood after a tornado before another flood so be nice in judging!
   
   Thanks fro the input.

   
   
   
   
6. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   6/19/2011 9:06 AM

   gcbarber1 said: If you look on our google earth image you can get a good idea of how big this place is (indian lakes resort, bloomingdale Il). The image was taken after a flood after a tornado before another flood so be nice in judging!
   
   Thanks fro the input.

   
   
   
   The place looks pretty good if you ask me!!!
   
   http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=23&qe=SW5kaWFuIExha2VzIFJlc29ydCBJbGw&qesig=4ix_LiyffnhTZQXB2nZb9Q&pkc=AFgZ2tmkBuKTmcVoNBkufBpOe88UYdawS7LI5XxvJ1J-aD7eoXtpjqI5okg0cT1jRsNDMnJ55qkiJ8p6dkudyGm1rgymnn4y9Q&safe=off&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1366&bih=665&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=indian+lakes+resort+illinois&fb=1&gl=us&hq=indian+lakes+resort&hnear=0x880b2d386f6e2619:0x7f15825064115956,Illinois&cid=0,0,7720591012942198021&ei=Ywb-TdqSEcu5tgfXxPWdAw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQnwIwAA
   
   Was the park part of an original 36-hole course?

   
   
   
   
7. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/19/2011 12:06 PM

   Chuck,
   
   I think the guys gave you some good input and Dave said something that I was thinking. I believe you are thinking on the correct path too. There is a cost to any job that is done, that is the easy part, to get the cost of jobs that don't get done is a little tougher to point out, of course until not getting those jobs done it hits the fan, then it's like drop everything (that ends up happening around here sometimes, even though we are trying to be proactive.)
   
   If you find a good communication tool, please share it, I know some of use could probably use the advice as well.
   
   Thanks, Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
8. Chuck Barber

   

   0 posts
   
   6/19/2011 10:06 PM

   Andy the park was part of the original 36 hole layout. The company sold that 35 or so acres to the village and then made our property contractually obligated to maintain the park in a manner consistent with the golf course. The hard part is we have no dedicated labor, equipment or budget to maintain it. The neighbors hate me and the village constantly ask what we're going to do about (enter current homeowner complaint here) and when we're going to do it. The stress is ridiculous. There used to be 30 or so guys on the crew, now there are fewer. I wish we were 36 holes instead of 27 with a practice facility, to be honest. Then I think my employer would see the need for more people. I am just venting now....Sorry. Thanks for the input.