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Women in Construction Series: Featuring Roxanne Espiritu

As a senior site QS, I love that my job doesn’t limit my learning to paperwork and the office. It lets me experience site operation and quantity surveying firsthand.

Roxanne Espiritu was looking for her next job as an aspiring professional when she discovered SDW had an opening for a Senior Quantity Surveyor. “I was still in the province working for a private construction company as a project engineer. I was looking forward to returning to Manila after having some time to breathe when the epidemic hit. One of the firms I’ve seen people apply for is SDW. I browsed its website and what impressed me is that the executives are composed of both locals and foreign nationals.”

Roxanne has worked for six years since graduating from Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She has worked at four different construction companies. She is one of SDW’s notable women in construction who, despite the difficult job in a male-dominated work environment, has excelled and proven herself.

Let’s get to know Roxanne as we asked her some questions about her work and construction.

women in construction

What does your job entail?

As a Senior Quantity Surveyor on site, one of the most critical aspects of my job is to check that the scope of work being implemented by the operating team is right and following our contract. These include the location, quantity, and cost of each activity. And because our company engages other subcontractors to complete some of our jobs, I also need to analyze their performance and certify their billings. Finally, we must prepare our monthly billing claim, containing all necessary documentation.

 

What is the best part of your job?

As an engineer with experience in site operation and office work, I would say that one of the best parts of my job as senior site QS is that it does not limit my learning to paperwork only and on the four corners of the office. It allows me to explore and experience firsthand the correlation between site operation and quantity surveying work. It also challenges my knowledge and ability to work effectively with the two different construction departments, the operation site team, and the commercial team. They are very different in many ways but also very connected. This kind of work setup improves my negotiating skills and allows me to immerse myself in varying levels of understanding.

 

women in construction

Do you like working with SDW?

In my more than three months with the organization, I would say that one of the benefits is having an environment that encourages you to speak English. It enables me to gain confidence and improve my communication abilities.

 

What has been the most memorable moment working with SDW?

My daily experience in the company is, I believe, memorable. Every day is different, adding to my recollections of the company. My regular conversations with coworkers or managers, whether at work or during breaks. Those days appear to repeat themselves or when nothing happens. Those days, I don’t say much since I have a lot on my plate. It is also how they make you feel significant as a team member and how they make you feel during those demanding schedules and submittals. Those are the things that will remain.

 

What personal qualities help you be pleasing in your job?

Listening with analysis is one of my skills that gives me an advantage over others. Next, I am not scared to make decisions and hold myself accountable. Humility, as well as an understanding that learning is a never-ending process, has greatly assisted me.

Who inspires you?

My family, like others, is what keeps me going. My ambition is to provide them with a comfortable lifestyle and enable other family members to realize their dreams.

 

I didn’t picture myself working in industries other than construction. I believe it is my professional calling and that I was born to do it. My manner of thinking, desire to construct things, and create solutions are all aspects of who I am.

 

What are the advantages of being a woman in construction? What are the disadvantages?

One of the advantages of being a woman in the industry is that they will assume you are organized and good at documentation because it is typically reserved for women. However, I must say that sometimes it is also a downside because they will limit your role to that and will give the more physically demanding activities to men. For this reason, there is no equal opportunity for both genders.

 

What is the biggest challenge of being a woman working in construction?

As a woman in the industry, aside from the fact that it is mentally and physically exhausting, it is a great challenge to prove that we are equally capable as male engineers. Not only in terms of strength but also in effectiveness on site or in office work, intellectual or physical, in management or operation.

 

How do you handle the pressure?

When there is the pressure at work, I try my best to stay calm and intellectual. For me, this is how it works. I need to stay focused. Keep attention to the details, then work it out.

 

What advice do you give a young woman entering the industry?

I would encourage those young ladies who want to pursue a career in the construction industry to do so because it is an adventure. It is very challenging and fun but exhausting at the same time. So I think for you to be able to enjoy one thing, you must love it. I mean not only in construction but in general. So yeah, if you think you are passionate about this industry, go for it.

 

How do you think construction can attract more female candidates?

I think the construction industry itself is very attractive. It is so inviting for those people that are interested in joining. I mean, it is mentally, physically, and socially challenging. There is no need to convince the girls to be part of it. We need to expose and educate the younger generation about it so that they will appreciate and see how beautiful it is.

 

I am proud that my professional career is in the construction industry, mainly because being a female engineer is something to be proud of, and I am doing what I love.

 

What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry?

As construction advances, we could see more and more women in the industry becoming normal. The industry is embracing female potential and contribution. Both men and women are now working together with the same responsibilities and accountabilities.

 

In this day and age, women are more empowered. Women holding positions in a male-dominated industry gets more common. Get to know more about SDW’s women in construction here.

 

 

How to Choose a Fit Out Contractor

Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, office interior design plays a critical role in creating a productive work environment. Sustainable design improves employee health while increasing productivity and lowering operating costs. We recommend researching before beginning your search for a dependable commercial fit-out contractor.

Finding the best contractor for your interior fit-out requires some legwork. The last thing you want to do is choose a company randomly and then be surprised by problems that may arise later. You are not just selecting a contractor; you are selecting a partner who will implement your ideas and collaborate with you and other team members (e.g., interior designer/architect) to bring your vision to life.

 

Choosing the Right Fit-Out Contractor

When selecting a contractor to oversee your fit-out project, these simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence and sleepless nights. Here are some pointers to help narrow your search for the ideal interior fit-out company.

 

fit-out contractor in the Philippines

What You Should Do

 

1. Prepare a Detailed Brief

Before the project begins, hire experts to create detailed guidelines. It should include information about your company, employees, needs, and facilities. Discuss the fit-out with your team. The brief should consist of a schedule and budget.

 

2. Obtain the Required Permissions

Ensure that your fit-out contractor is knowledgeable about any regulatory approvals that may be required and that your proposed works are by health and safety and building codes. If you don’t own your office space, make sure your fit-out contractor gets permission from the landlord.

 

3. Do Your Homework

Research is vital. Determine which commercial fit-out contractors are the best in your area.

Make use of the resources listed below:

  • Internet research: business and industry websites, news articles
  • Customer referrals
  • Industry associations

Concentrate your search on companies with a reputation for honesty, professionalism, and industry knowledge.

 

4. “Think Green & Sustainable.”

Consider contractors with a long-term vision who can design and deliver energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective designs. Research has shown that “green offices” increase profitability due to higher employee productivity and lower operational costs.

The criteria to consider are sustainable sites, water efficiency, optimized energy performance, minimized energy use, use of materials with recycled content, waste management, and indoor environmental quality.

 

5. Create a Shortlist

After you’ve completed your research, you’re ready to narrow down the companies that offer interior fit-out services in your area. How do you choose among them?

Prepare a list of 2-3 companies with whom you’d like to work and who can execute your vision and offer improvements. You may need to add to or remove from the shortlist.

 

6. Do Background Checks

Check the Portfolio: Assess the company’s portfolio to determine the breadth and relevance of its experience.

Obtain Client Feedback: Contact previous clients (at least three) and ask them to rate the contractor on critical deliverables such as quality, responsiveness, value for money, service level, and delivery on a scale of 1 to 10. If the overall score from the three clients is unsatisfactory, you know that contractor must be removed from your list.

Check Financial Stability: Make sure that any company you are considering has the financial resources to complete the project and can negotiate the best prices for materials and services on your behalf.

Pay On-site Visits: Go to their most recent completed project because a contractor is only as good as their most recent.

Pay Office Visit: Pay a visit to their place of business. A visit to a company’s premises can teach you much about it. Are they well-organized? Do the employees appear to be happy and engaged? Is the office in good shape?

 

 

office fit-out

7. Request Proposals for Design and Fit Out

Distribute the design brief to your shortlisted companies and request that they submit a proposal by a specific deadline.

Evaluate them on the following criteria:

  • Understanding of the Design Brief
  • Work requirements or considerations
  • Cost breakdown
  • Options and their associated costs
  • Timetable for delivery with milestones
  • Assumptions exclusions
  • Contract terms and conditions include insurance, liabilities, payment terms, and conflict resolution terms, among other things.
  • Follow-up or after-delivery service, if applicable.

 

8. Interview Candidates

Interview your candidates and pay close attention not only to their responses but also to how they respond.

Conduct phone and in-person interviews to thoroughly assess the people you will be working with.

  • Do they have the knowledge, experience, and collaborative attitude?
  • What is the mechanism in place for weekly written and verbal reporting?

 

9. Criteria for Selection

Create a scoring chart and assign a score to each company on your shortlist based on key deliverables such as design proposals, client recommendations, budget, timeframe, and experience.

After doing all your research, don’t forget to trust your instincts.

Working with any company entails far more than just nuts and bolts. Cooperation and collaboration must be ingrained in a company’s practices and people. All else being equal, choose people you like and trust because they will make communication and project management less stressful.

 

What to Avoid

 

1. Do Not Set an Unrealistic Budget

Hire the best contractor you can afford at all times. Reputable, experienced fit-out contractors can provide you with a clear budget that includes cost breakdowns and a list of options.

Always consider cost efficiency; never take the cheapest offer.

  • Hiring a low-cost contractor can be a costly mistake because low-cost contractors are not the best at generating accurate bids.
  • A bid that appears low at the outset may not have considered additional cost variations that may occur during the project. It will result from either a deliberate attempt to “lowball” the bid or inexperience. Knowing that change orders are a given in any project will help you save money in the long run.
  • Change orders require a contract amendment, which has time and cost implications. Few interior fit-out projects are completed without change orders, but they can be costly.
  • Hiring an inexperienced, low-cost commercial fit-out contractor may result in more change orders than hiring someone with experience.

 

2. Do Not Set an Impossible Timeframe

What has been said about budgets also applies to work schedules. Money is equal to time. Any contractor who gives you a significantly lower estimate for project completion is either inexperienced or deceiving you. Make sure that all steps are completed in a reasonable amount of time and that no corners are cut.

 

3. Don’t Just Take Their Word For It

Honest fit-out contractors will want to get everything in writing because it protects both them and the client. Ensure that everything discussed and agreed upon is documented. Many inexperienced contractors are willing to agree to almost anything verbally to win a contract. However, during execution, you will be surprised at how bad a contractor’s memory can become.

  • You must be able to provide evidence and written acknowledgment of all communications and agreements.
  • Once you’ve chosen a contractor, ensure you understand the contract terms. Before signing a contract, consult with your legal advisor and any other professional advisors.

 

4. Do Not Overlook Regulatory, Building, and Health and Safety Regulations

Regulatory approvals are required for all projects, and specific works require building control approval. Make sure that your chosen contractor is aware of all relevant laws and regulations and can ensure compliance with local standards before work begins.

Using a reputable commercial fit-out company will ensure that these issues are adequately addressed.

Local governments are responsible for building safety by implementing unified building codes that address construction safety and fire protection issues.

 

5. Look Beyond the Bottom Line

When choosing a contractor to assist you with your fit-out, look for a company with values, vision, and commitment, not just the elements involved in the execution, such as timeframe and budget.

Choose a company that is aware of the latest design and technology trends and a leader rather than a follower in its field. Your office interior design expresses your company’s values and brand; choose a partner who can help you articulate that most dynamically and appealingly possible.

 

Choosing the Best Commercial Fit-Out Contractor Candidate

Selecting a commercial fit-out contractor for your new office or existing facility is a major undertaking. This is the final step in preparing your offices for human occupancy. Since your employees will be spending most of their day in these facilities, it is critical that your office environment is safe and healthy and promotes productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Given that your office fit-out may be the first thing, clients and partners notice when they visit, it must reflect your company’s values and brand.

During your selection process, keep the “Do’s and Don’ts” in mind. Do not rely solely on an internet search. An excellent website is an excellent place to start, but it should only be the beginning of your research. Finally, the best candidates will be those who can demonstrate, with tangible evidence, the following:

  • Knowledge and Experience
  • Reputation
  • Sustainable Design and Fittings
  • Quality
  • On-Time Delivery
  • Support (Before, During & After the Project)
  • Commitment and Reliability

 

SDW Realty Delivers High-Quality and Sustainable Fit-Outs

SDW Realty is the ideal partner to help you complete your fit-out successfully. A leading design and build firm in the Philippines, SDW is a premier fit-out contractor. For the past ten years, SDW has provided exceptional service to its clients, which range from government agencies to multinational corporations and small businesses. It has completed over 300 projects with a client satisfaction rating of 92%.

SDW Realty takes sustainability seriously and incorporates it into every step of the design and execution process. SDW follows the international ISO 9001: 2015 quality management system for all projects. Putting its clients’ needs first and assisting them to:

  • Achieve their environmental goals by improving building energy, water, and resource efficiency.
  • Make inspiring workplaces in order to improve employees’ health and happiness; and
  • Deliver operational savings, increase the value of the building, and reduce utility costs.

Click here to see our outstanding interior fit-out projects.

Contact us for your fit-out construction requirements.