When it opens this fall, the new experience-focused Oak Barrel & Vine retail store will feature a tasting room and special displays for selling spirits and locally made products. The 5390 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland is HBW’s second retail build-out for Maryland ABS but the firm’s first run entirely by women.

HBW often talks about the value of having a diverse workforce, yet the Oak Barrel & Vine retail construction services offer visible proof that the firm walks the walk, too. The client, architect, project manager, project coordinator, superintendent, and back-office staff are all women. Go behind the build to see how these women are making an impact on the job.

A Day on the Job

The Oak Barrel & Vine project has shifted into high gear. With just a few weeks left before the September delivery, the interior walls and utilities are in, and the focus is on the defining details, with more than 27 unique finishes. The coordination requires close alignment and communication to track all the moving parts.

First thing in the morning, Senior Project Manager Alexandra Dramby visits the job site, meeting with Superintendent Jess Hipp to discuss the day’s work, while Cynthia Aparicio, the Project Coordinator, is in the office filtering through dozens of emails about the job.

Cynthia notes any action items for Alexandra and forwards emails to Jess, helping simplify and streamline the many questions and updates HBW receives daily from the architect, the client, subcontractors, and other vendors.

“Cynthia’s our major line of support. If she sees an email come through or a response to an RFI, she is funneling it through to the appropriate people and getting the information needed as fast as she can. She helps us recognize and prioritize the most important things so they can be seen and handled first,” explains Alexandra.

Cynthia adds, “I know if Jess calls the office, that means she needs help right now. Our communication flow really helps us sync as a team and look ahead, which helps avoid delays or problems. It takes all of us working together to coordinate the materials and the labor to complete the project on time.”

About the Build

Each Oak Barrel & Vine store is unique, adding a twist to the build-out for HBW. This location features a tasting area with barn doors, brick finishes, lighting that make it feel like an outdoor space, a welcome wall with custom millwork pieces, and wayfinding design elements that help guide customers through the store and to the products they are looking for.

“You don’t often see this many finishes in a 5,000 square foot retail space. The wood paneling and custom-made cabinetry, the fabric on the walls, the wall sconces all will give this project an atmosphere that welcomes buyers in,” says Jess.

The finishes aren’t just decoration. Each part of the design connects to the Maryland community, like the barrel rounds used for one of the walls. They were sourced from local distillers.

“It’s incredibly unique that a liquor store is building retail space so local brands can come in to do tastings of their products. It really gives the community a way to get to know local companies and appreciate what Maryland has to offer,” she adds.

Working Through Challenges

The Oak Barrel & Vine job is the fourth retail location for Maryland ABS, with more store transformations planned for the future. Like other commercial and franchise builds, the work involves third-party vendors selected by the client.

Working with others who might not understand or share HBW’s standards for quality, safety, and communication can pose a challenge.

“Often, it’s up to Jess to communicate and enforce our policies on the job site,” explains Alexandra. “The signage or fixture vendors might need to adjust to our hours and our safety protocols. She has the support of our entire team, helping to make calls and send emails to the companies so they are ready to jump in and do their part.”

“It helps to have the same subs or vendors on repeat builds. We already know they will do great work, and they are connected to our ways of communicating on and off the job site,” says Jess.

Women at Work

Does having an all-female team make a difference? HBW staff agree that every team delivers quality and attention to detail, but the women on the Oak Barrel & Vine project recognize that their team communicates a little differently and operates a little smoother.

“We are being super-efficient and answering back quicker,” observes Cynthia. “We are all pushing for this one a little more than usual because we want to show that it’s not only men working in construction. Women at HBW get the job done too.”

Women make up (26%) of the HBW workforce, more than double the national average of 11%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The firm had its first female manager in 2005, first female superintendent in 2019, and first female vice president in 2023.

With lots of ground left to cover, the commercial construction team points to shared company-wide values as the key to continued success on the job. The client already knows that HBW will deliver an incredible product – the first Oak Barrel & Vine was delivered without a punch list – and the team believes they are on track to do the same for this location.

When you’ve been in construction for over 50 years, every project includes familiar elements. But even the familiar feels new and exciting when your next project is something you have yet to do in more than two decades.

As HBW Construction kicked off a base building project in the Anacostia waterfront area of Washington, D.C., late last year, we couldn’t help but marvel at just how long it had been since we had done a base build – the shell and core, the primary structure, the whole shebang. About 20 years ago, the company turned its focus to interior build-outs. Though many of our projects continued to include the same elements of building demolition and construction, this project marks the HBW base build relaunch.

Marion Barry Ave.

We were brought into the Good Hope Road project (the historic area now renamed Marion Barry Avenue) to build a respite housing project. The 22,000-square-foot building will feature (medical offices) on the first floor, with three floors of communal studio apartments above.

The project started by demolishing the row homes on the land and quickly progressed to work on the first and second-floor decks. The building will have a synthetic stucco exterior and surface parking in the back.

The foundation has been a challenge in this build. The soil in the area, dredged from the Anacostia River decades ago, required very deep footers to reach bedrock and special concrete work. Fortunately, our concrete sub was great to work with, and our team was able to adjust to this new reality and move forward.

Marion Barry Ave. project before start of construction

Rendering of Marion Barry Ave. project upon completion

HBW on the Job

With a speedy schedule and so much to learn from the project, we have three superintendents assigned to the build. Don Johnson, who has been with HBW for over 10 years, brings his dirt work experience and has been instrumental in our interior build-outs. Phillip Sun has a background in base building construction, so he oversees everything on site.

And, since the job is such a good learning opportunity, we will rotate in a third superintendent to serve as quality assurance and gain base build experience.

Our approach on any construction job is to establish good relationships, and Marion Barry Ave is no exception. Before we started, our superintendents walked the very populated neighborhood. They introduced themselves to all surrounding business owners and explained that it’s a tight site and we have to get some big equipment in there, so they knew what to expect. Seven months into the project, we haven’t had any issues with neighbors or inspectors.

Gaining Experience, Using Experience

The Marion Barry Ave project allows HBW to draw on one of our strong niche areas of expertise: Healthcare. We have extensive healthcare construction experience with dozens of hospital, medical, and veterinary projects on the books in the past few years. Healthcare construction involves a unique type of infrastructure to accommodate specialized equipment and purpose-built spaces, combined with finishes that enhance patient comfort.

Several recent projects have involved the ground-up construction experience that we hope to expand on. In combination with our retail and office interior markets, HBW crews are well-poised for the renewal and replacement projects that are being planned for the DMV region. We are looking at several new opportunities in the next year that will leverage our blend of experience, including converting an office building into a hotel.

The More Things Change…

The secret to our success at HBW has been our communication and organization. We like to say our pragmatic, professional approach is what drives our success. And we hear from clients that the level of attention we bring to our interior work sets us apart from other contractors – a good sign for winning more ground-up projects.

Phil Scott set the tone for this project. He said, “I don’t want us to come out of this being adequate or average. I want everybody involved to have the best construction experience they’ve ever had.” We still have a ways to go, but we’re doing it!

Though it’s been 20 years since we took on a full base build, HBW is in a position to deliver a superior product because of our recent experience. Our people, our processes, our knowledge, and our on-the-job capabilities are all there, ready to be applied to a market sector that is all about brand-new beginnings.

The rising sun glints off the metal struts as Superintendent Don Johnson slowly climbs a five-story stair tower, scanning every tread, bolt, and gap for unseen danger. He has done the same climb every morning for months before anyone else is allowed to use the stair tower, an external structure that allows personnel to enter the job site and hoist materials. Don’s attention to safety details made him ideal for this ongoing project, but he’s just one of dozens of HBW superintendents who actively bring safety into work processes.

Don and the other superintendents will have their moment in the spotlight this week as HBW observes Construction Safety Week. The firm plans to share lessons learned, best practices, and words of advice from their superintendents. Blogs, social posts, and site visits will capture these stories, but they will be familiar to any subcontractor or vendor who has worked with HBW. The company has prioritized safety since it was founded, holding itself to the highest standards.

Planning can keep a job site safer

Field Operations Manager Rande Naylor explains, “Safety at HBW is an everyday thing, not just a Safety Week thing. How we do it comes down to planning, accountability, and communication. So, during Safety Week, I’ll be in Gaithersburg at the Aldi grocery store we are building, showcasing the work of Superintendent George Raivel. George’s site has the potential for situations that OSHA might focus on, but he’s followed our processes to plan ahead, anticipating the risks and determining how best to avoid them. He holds his crew accountable for following safety protocols and training and has established excellent communication channels so everyone who steps on site understands what they need to be doing to stay safe. It’s a success story, for sure.”

During the site visits, Rande will also recognize individuals on HBW’s many job sites who have followed safety protocols to the letter or gone the extra mile for safety. 

As the firm brings plans to life, building stores and apartments and remodeling spaces for new tenants, planning ahead for safety has become second nature to HBW employees, but it’s always remained the first priority. 

Allison Lambert, Construction Project Manager, starts thinking about safety before HBW even bids on a job. “We need to account for the time and steps it’s going to take to do each job correctly but also safely. PMs go out and do a site survey so we can even put together the estimate, and that’s when you start thinking about the safety aspects. You might think to yourself, OK, we’ll need an external stairwell, so that’s going to be covered in your bid because there are going to be extra safety costs associated with it. Once we get the job, we share all those things we’ve flagged with the superintendent. There’s a back-and-forth as we bounce ideas off of each other. We need all the eyes we can get on safety.” 

Don Johnson agrees. “Some companies don’t think about the safety aspect until they’re already on the job and an issue comes up. Here, it’s the forethought that goes into it. It’s the planning from the get-go. It’s very proactive, not reactive.”

HBW’s brand of safety

With years of field experience and training, HBW counts on its superintendents to share what they know and set expectations for safe construction. Rande routinely sends superintendents to other job sites to learn about safety approaches or see how situations are being handled. “I tell them to soak up all the knowledge.”

Yet superintendents aren’t the only ones in charge of occupational safety. At HBW, it’s a collaborative effort between project managers who come up with the plan, superintendents who implement the plan, and subcontractors who work on the plan. And for the hazards that crop up suddenly? Rande says, “We adjust on the spot, pulling in anyone with experience to gather ideas.”

HBW also uses a third-party safety company, Diversified. They add another set of eyes to projects that are big or particularly challenging. The firm counts on those outside experts to be super picky about safety and find things the HBW team might have missed. They also look for them to share situations and solutions that they’ve seen in other jobs.

Value Every Voice: The 2024 theme for Construction Safety Week

HBW is well aligned with this year’s Construction Safety Week theme, Value Every Voice, and its core tenets to Encourage, Listen, and Empower. Indeed, HBW is living out those values every day and on every job site. 

“You want to talk to the laborers out sweeping the floor and the subs who are just there for a day. Everybody can have an idea or an opinion. We take all concerns about building site safety very seriously. For every off-hand comment, we’ll take the time to go check it out. They might just see something we’ve missed,” says Allison.

“Plus, we’ve found that if they’re part of identifying or solving safety issues, then they are more willing to adhere to the corrective steps and make the extra effort for safety,” adds Don.

Rande concludes, “At the end of the day, whether it is Construction Safety Week or week 5 on the job, we want everybody to go home the same way they came to the job site.”

Construction Safety Week is May 6-10, 2024.

Demo is typically the first step in our office fit-outs, but for the building at 1333 H Street, we needed to start with new interior walls. That’s because the building would be occupied while we worked on filling in a four-story atrium on its upper floors. Isolating the active construction areas with temporary walls allowed us to keep disruptions and construction debris separate from office areas.

The work on H Street took just five months but required construction innovation around scheduling. We had to get eight street closure permits for the window removal, steel beam installation and concrete pours, which was completed over several weekends. Located in a tight area in D.C. close to the White House, we could only close the street on Saturdays. This left us working fast to minimize tenant disruptions but also having to add time to the schedule to accommodate weekend work.

Start with an A-Team

At HBW, the best teams are those where colleagues complement each other, and there’s a strong bond.

Senior Superintendent Bobby Smith explains about having a dream team on the H Street project: “Anthony and I started at HBW around the same time and have worked together as a team for about seven years. We often come up with the game plans for our projects together. He handles the schedules, and I distribute the information to everyone in the field. A lot of our success is our ability to communicate with one another – and the larger team. Nothing is happening on a job site that we haven’t talked about ten times before it happens.”

Adopt a creative construction mindset

The unique construction challenges at H Street required innovation to keep things moving. When we decided to bring in the steel beams, we knew we would need to work one floor at a time. Maneuvering beams weighing 5,000 pounds into the center of an office, however, required special handling. The best option turned out to be pulling windows and moving the beams through the offices into the old atrium space and then hoisting them into place.

Another time, we were all set to pump concrete on a snowy Saturday morning. The building was empty, the road had been closed, and everyone was headed to the job site when the cement plant called to say they were closing due to the weather. It took some quick thinking and a persuasive phone call, but we pumped concrete that day.

By staying focused on our commitment to the client and doing each job right, we don’t get too caught up in plans that must change or let egos get involved in considering solutions.

Prioritize communication

Great communication is cultural at HBW. We know that every project will have some challenges and delays. Our attitude is the quicker and more effectively we communicate issues to our entire team, whether it’s subcontractors, architects, or clients, the quicker we can work towards a solution and move past it. Since we work in the office and in the field, we can’t count on being face-to-face. We have to be intentional about communication. It helps that everyone is on the same page about it, and new hires quickly learn to communicate like pros.

Draw from a depth of experience

There’s not always a model for doing things right when doing new things. For H Street, we drew some inspiration from an amenity center project we did a year ago. Scale-wise, there’s no comparison, but that project also required bringing steel beams and a massive staircase into an enclosed lobby through a doorway. It went so well we decided to use the same company for the beams on H Street.

The depth and diversity of experience we have at HBW means there’s always someone who has done something similar or has a proven approach. It makes us exceptionally well-suited for unique construction projects like the H Street infill.

Today, the H Street building has an additional 2,500 square feet per floor. This unique building project did give us reason to pause, but ultimately, teamwork, communication, and creativity helped us build success.
 

Women in Construction Week was started in 1998 by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). This year’s theme is “Keys to the Future,” celebrating the strength and knowledge of women in the industry and the vital role they play in shaping the future of construction. One of the women living out that theme at HBW is September Chase, Senior Project Manager. Her journey from art lover to construction whiz is inspiring other women to enter the construction industry.

Art-inspired her construction career

September tells the story of how she came to work in construction by describing her early interest in art. Having exhausted all of the art classes in her high school, she became interested in using technology art, such as SketchUp and AutoCAD. After earning a degree in interior design, she moved to the DMV area and accepted a job with a commercial construction flooring company.  

“I immediately fell in love with seeing a client’s vision come to life, starting with a set of plans and continuing through to the actual completion of a project. I was only involved with a small part of that – the flooring – but I was hooked,” September explains.

Her passion grew over the years as she worked for a general contractor, helping manage all aspects of a project while learning about the trades and getting to know subcontractors. When she met with HBW president John Leach and his team, her interview turned into hours of conversations that impressed September. 

“I had heard other people say that HBW was a good company, and I found it felt like a supportive family from the very first day. I love how collaborative it is here.” says September. 

September has been with HBW for five years, building a client base with lots of repeat business while moving from project manager to senior project manager. Her work involves scoping out new projects with estimators and determining the right team of subcontractors for the job, then staying with each project through all phases of construction. She typically manages four to six projects at a time. 

As a member of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network (CREW), September will share her career story with high school and college students later this month, hoping to spark an interest in the construction industry, which she sees as having massive opportunity, and stressing how vital diversity is to growth.

“The industry has evolved a lot over the years, so I want young women to know that although we are still a very small part of the industry, we bring a different perspective and unique point of view that is essential to the future of construction.” says September.

Women at HBW

Women make up about 26 percent of the HBW staff, yet it can be difficult to gather all women together at once. Since 2018, the company’s Women in Construction (WIC) group has been meeting regularly to promote positive change for women and serve as a community of support.

During Women in Construction Week, March 3-9, the group has planned tours of job sites managed by women project managers. The tours are an opportunity for other women in the company to learn more about the building process, particularly those who don’t work in roles directly related to construction or who might not have a chance to be out on job sites.

The group also holds educational, social, and networking events throughout the year so HBW women can support each other. This past year, group members tie-dyed WIC t-shirts, celebrated Friendsgiving, enjoyed paint nights, and shared how they handle stress while potting plants in a session called “Grow through what you go through.” The group meets regularly for lunch and has a half-day conference planned for June focused on three topics: Elevate Your Voice, Elevate Your Resilience, and Elevate Your Career. 

Among the esteemed members of our WIC group are also Alex Dramby and Melissa Jones whose contributions and insights enrich our collective journey. “These get-togethers give the women at HBW a chance to share ideas, ask for advice, and discuss topics within the industry while also having fun,” says Megan Alfonso, Digital Marketing Manager at HBW Construction. “Our hope for this group is to continue to promote professional and personal growth while empowering women to have confidence in the workplace.”

HBW’s social channels will feature women from across the company during Women in Construction Week to highlight diverse construction careers for women available and HBW’s unique environment for career growth. Like September Chase, many of the women at HBW didn’t plan to work in the construction industry but have found it a welcome place with opportunities for learning and career growth.

“I’ve been lucky to work alongside a great project executive, our VP, Andre Chin Wing. I want to eventually follow in his footsteps, staying with HBW and becoming a project executive one day in the future. There’s a lot I’ve learned about running projects as a woman that I could teach others, and HBW is the perfect place to do it.” says September.

By any measure, ZOOZ is a restaurateur’s dream. The waterside cocktail garden was conceived as an upscale destination for before or after dinner, with hanging greenery and florals setting the scene while bartenders mix and pour drinks table-side. When it opens in March, ZOOZ will be the second D.C. project for brothers Joseph, Kamal, and Anthony Azzouz, but the first with HBW helping to bring their dream to life.

Our commercial construction resume has included a growing number of independent, owner-operator projects in the past few years, including Cafe Unido, Apex Vets, and the New Story School in Virginia Beach. These projects require the same effort and attention to detail as other interior build-outs and renovations, but the owner’s level of investment and involvement tends to make HBW team members feel more passionate about them. 

Sr. Project Manager Alexandra Dramby explains, “When you have the actual owner on site almost every day, you see their excitement over every little detail, and those feelings transfer to us. I think it makes us even more motivated to make them happy and get this space open for them on time. This is their baby.”

Phil Harvey, Superintendent, adds, “Our construction teams don’t always get the opportunity to talk with project owners and hear their stories and visions for their new space. When we do, every installation integral to the design brings us a step closer to giving them their dream.”

The ZOOZ vision
The ZOOZ owners already have one restaurant, Urban Roast, that was recently recognized as the best brunch in DC. They are now setting their sights on achieving similar recognition for ZOOZ, and they’ve made it clear to our team that they want to be known as the best for it, too. That level of emotional investment translates to caring deeply about everything, from workmanship to materials. And that makes HBW an ideal partner because we use a highly personalized and collaborative approach to establish lasting relationships with our clients.

When the owners first walked the space, located on the first level of a condominium building, they made significant changes to the layout for space optimization. With the decision-makers standing right there, we could talk through those changes quickly, shifting the dimensions of the back-of-house areas, the bar, and the dining space without impacting the grand opening date of March 8th.

Building for dreamers
HBW’s approach when working directly with a restaurant’s independent owner is slightly different from working with a construction manager from a big restaurant group. From a project management approach, there needs to be more communication about the schedule and the different phases of the construction process. Day-to-day communication remains key as the owners walk the space, reviewing the progress that’s been made and watching the work. Someone who does construction full-time already knows how the work will flow and what to expect, but for those going through the process for the first or second time ever, everything is new.

As HBW approaches the end of the ZOOZ build, great communication means the team spends time with the owners each day to review the interior design materials that have arrived and make any final adjustments. A significant part of that is explaining the impact of making changes on the fly, from costs to labor to scheduling.

“A few weeks ago, the owners added a new ceiling finish. Instead of paint, it’s going to be a specialty wall covering. We explained the lead time and the requirement for a 10-day install period once it arrived,” says Phil. 

Alex adds, “That’s when our experience really comes into play. We’re very aware that in restaurant construction, the opening date is critical. Any delays have big financial consequences. But we also understand that restaurants come with a lot of changes. We have to move quickly with sketches and dimensions, come up with suggestions for products that can achieve their vision, and look at lead times and schedule impacts. Often, that means we have to get creative.”

To manage the new ceiling work, HBW devised a plan using swing shifts. As the ceiling work wraps up in the afternoon, the ceramic tile team starts their install. The two efforts keep crews out of each other’s way and save time on the project.

Leveraging on-the-job experience
Building unique projects under an owners’ watchful eye isn’t for every construction contractor. HBW experience in the restaurant and retail sector is the key to so many successful outcomes. 

When the pandemic put a damper on office construction, our team leveraged knowledge and skill in corporate interiors to grow restaurant and retail into one of its largest market sectors. The knowledge of individual team members has been a factor in that growth, too. 

Alex and Phil both joined HBW with restaurant experience in hand. They have teamed up for a handful of projects after first working on a Lidl grocery store together. They credit their working relationship and flow of communication in handling the fast pace and many changes involved in restaurant construction. Other staff members’ niche experience contributes to HBW’s capabilities, including knowledge of high-end finishes and utilities needed for restaurant equipment and diner comfort.

Sharing the dream
Commercial construction allows HBW to have a hand in every business we build space for. At the end of the day, the quality of our work is something we are proud of, and it feels extra special when we can see that the owners are proud of it, too.

ZOOZ is the kind of place we would want to visit whether we built it or not – but since we are involved, we’re motivated to give our best effort. It’s going to be incredible to go there and see the Azzouz brothers living out their dream.

HBW was perfectly positioned to capitalize on new opportunities in 2023. By continuing to build resources that allow us to excel in key market sectors and keeping our team focused on exceptional client service, HBW saw some notable successes in the marketplace and within our ranks. 

Growing Market Sectors

Although the market for office space build-outs remained flat,HBW saw substantial growth in health sciences, medical construction, as well as retail and restaurants. These results shifted our focus for 2024. 

Instead of a shotgun approach to pursuing new projects across all market sectors, we are now concentrating more on the market sectors with growth indicators. 

We recognize that medical and restaurant/retail builds are on a growth trajectory for our region; the work is there. Conveniently, HBW has a strong resume and lots of recent experience, making us a prime candidate for additional projects. This doesn’t mean we’re becoming a niche firm; it simply means we have enough experience and expertise to meet changing market needs. 

Service and Maintenance

Speaking of meeting market needs, HBW’s Service Division is poised for growth with a new name and new leadership. Previously, this arm of the business was separate from our construction services. Now, we’ll better leverage the knowledge and skills of our construction team to provide the maintenance and lifespan services that every business needs. Under John Woolrich, the Service Division is ready to continue helping our clients enjoy the benefits of efficient and well-maintained spaces. 

New Talent. New Roles.

As a company, we’ve strategically added some new team members, expanding our capabilities. You’ll notice new faces in project management and project coordination, sales, and superintendents. With careful planning and strategic growth, we never felt like we were scrambling to hire; we could move deliberately and identify top talent who fit our culture and share our work ethic. 

A Strong Sense of Culture

Recognizing and rewarding our employees is important at HBW. We ask everyone to go above and beyond for our clients. To show our appreciation, we changed up our staff interactions this year. 

We replaced two big events with multiple, smaller events that allowed for more engagement. Our outings included dinners, axe-throwing, Top Golf, fishing, shooting, and more. Employees also volunteered for community outreach events, including exterior improvements to Stepping Stones, a nonprofit near the office, and seasonal clean-ups at Montgomery Parks. These activities support HBW team building and strengthen our connection to the communities where we work. 

Standout Projects 

No yearly round-up would be complete without some HBW project highlights. 

First up is our base build on 1525 Marion Barry Ave. It’s an exciting project that we can lean into. HBW hasn’t done a base building in years, but our team was more than up to the challenge with their combined experience and careful planning. And base buildings represent another growing market for HBW. 

One of the most unique projects of the year is 1333 H Street, Washington DC. It had an atrium in the building on the 10^th & 11^th floors that we infilled. It required pulling a window to crane in steel and to pump in concrete. That isn’t something that happens every day, which made it exciting. 

Our builds for Inova Hospital Center, and Apex Vet solidified our place in the medical sector, while a new win for an Aldi in Gaithersburg will kick off our retail work for 2024. 

New Year Plans 

Looking ahead to 2024 is a mixed bag. We don’t predict any major change in the market in the next six months, but we also don’t think we’ll see any dramatic upswings in construction. DC is still very vacant, and it will be a slower market until more people return to work there. That doesn’t mean all is quiet, however. The outskirts and suburbs in Northern Virginia and Maryland are definitely expanding. HBW will go where the action is, bringing our timeless focus on quality construction and exceeding customer expectations. 

Today, our employees are among the 10 million people who work in the construction industry in the U.S. Though construction was hit hard by the pandemic, the industry is once again on a growth trajectory, expected to grow at a robust rate of 4.8% annually for the next decade – offering huge career opportunities in building and construction for a new generation.

Here, in their own words, a few HBW folks dish about getting into construction, their journey to HBW, the best parts of the job, and even advice they wish they had earlier in their careers.

This is no ordinary daily grind: Jobs in the construction industry

There are thousands of types of jobs in the construction industry. It takes a true team of professionals to meet the high expectations of clients in the Washington region. At HBW Construction, our team includes a broad range of construction expertise in Budgets & Estimating, Scheduling, Project Management, Job Site Management, Quality Control, and Services complemented by hundreds of talented subcontractors and quality suppliers. 

“In my job, I review construction drawings, prepare scopes of work, and put together competitive bids. I came to HBW with no commercial experience, and they took a chance on hiring me in an estimator position. Seven years later, I’m so thankful to work alongside great teammates.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating

“I organize and oversee daily work at the construction site while making sure everyone is safe and on schedule.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent 

“My job is to support both project management and field staff in completing projects. I love helping others succeed.”
– Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal

“My job is to bring our client’s vision to life – from the preconstruction process all the way through substantial completion and occupancy. Of course, it involves problem-solving, budgeting, schedule-keeping, and so much more. But when you boil it down the goal is to get everyone over the finish line to a beautiful new space.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager

“I develop and train HBW’s field supervisors, which includes strategic planning around field operations, safety, and quality control. I love how each day brings a new challenge, which I try to see as another step forward in my development.”
– Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer

Look what we did! Best part of the job

Construction is a dynamic industry that brings new challenges every day. With so many builds in our 54-year history, it can be difficult to choose a favorite project. 

“The best part of the job is turning over a new, beautiful space to a happy and excited client.

Oak Wine & Barrel in Montgomery County was my favorite project so far because it required knowledge of many types of construction, from basic bar and refrigeration to retail and interior fit-out. It demanded very close attention to detail which resulted in some of the most gorgeous finishes I have ever worked with.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent 

“My favorite part of my job is undoubtedly the people. I am lucky enough to be able to make connections all throughout the DMV because of the work we do. I’ve made connections with architects, clients, inspectors, engineers, subcontractors, brokers… the list goes on. Being exposed to many different thought processes and problem-solving methods has taught me so much throughout the years.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager

“It would be impossible to choose a favorite project, but I love seeing photos and videos of a completed project that I worked on; the transformation from a set of plans to a working space is incredible.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating 

The path to construction

There are literally hundreds of construction career paths. Some start with apprenticeships, college, or a jump from an adjacent industry. Many HBW employees had no idea they would end up working in construction (and loving it!), but others were drawn to it from the beginning.

“Construction wasn’t the plan but my work in the industry gave me a new drive to learn and an outlet for my creativity and other skills. After 16 years in construction, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent 

“I was a Political Science major, and I graduated during the 2016 election, making it tough to find work. I eventually ended up as the Office Manager for a family friend’s construction company and absolutely fell in love. No day was the same, and I finally got to use things I had learned from binge-watching HGTV. I couldn’t imagine myself working in any other industry at this point.
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager

“I’ve been interested in construction since I wired up and powered my first light switch!”
– Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer

“I started working in construction at the age of 18. I joined HBW as a Foreman and a year later was promoted to Superintendent. I hustled to get the most challenging and complex projects and was promoted to Project Engineer then Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Project Executive. Now I’m a Vice President.”
– Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal

“Growing up, I was always building things, and in my senior year of high school, I decided to study Civil Engineering. The rest is history.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating 

The real deal on HBW

A career in construction is about developing specific skills but also the ability to work with others and meet the needs of clients. HBW focuses on relationships, integrity, and initiative. Our team shares core values that have defined our culture.

“I was attracted to HBW’s eagerness to hire a female superintendent. I am still so impressed with the volume of talented females in construction here.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent 

“HBW supported my growth by allowing me to showcase my processes – even turning them into company standards. They listened to my goals and gave me the opportunity to work on bids while I was still in the field. That access allowed me to understand what was required to work in the office. At every point, HBW had faith in my abilities and gave me the opportunity to run large projects with major clients. This allowed me to once more show my ability to handle large accounts.”
– Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal

“I liked what I saw in HBW, including the number of women in the office and the philanthropy we do around the area. Construction can be a hard and cold environment, and I knew I needed the opposite of that to work well.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager

Advice for the next generation

With so much growth potential in the construction industry, it is important to attract new talent and encourage the next generation. Our employees offer advice they wish they had known earlier in their careers.

“I would tell my younger self to keep your head down and work hard. Everything will work itself out in the end. Also, don’t take it personally when companies you apply to just out of college don’t even respond.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager

“Start investing as soon as you can.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating 

“Stay grounded and humble no matter the situation and to be confident in your abilities. I like a quote I heard once that says, “Construction is simple. We make it hard.”
– Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer

To learn more about careers in construction and join the HBW team, check out our opportunities at https://hbwconstruction.com/careers/.

 

Although the majority of businesses have returned to the way things were before, the nature of business has changed. Organizations of all sizes are giving more priority to the employee experience. And that starts with the work environment.

If you have commercial office space, now is the time to make an investment so it works harder for you – and your tenants. Let’s look at the trends and how HBW Construction is helping meet the market’s changing needs.

Commercial real estate trends
As recently as a few months ago, companies were willing to eat the cost of underutilized or even empty office space because the labor market was so tight. They used working from home as a benefit to recruit and retain talent. Now, those companies are using a different strategy: luring employees back to the office with more comfortable, flexible workspaces and amenities.

In Washington, DC, we’ve noticed that most of the Class A buildings (the nicest spaces) are fully occupied, while older, more tired buildings stand empty. The commercial real estate market has noticed, too. Revamped office spaces feel like high-end hotel lobbies or Starbucks shops, with more casual or collaborative spaces and fewer cubicles or offices.

Companies that want employees to come to the office have to make it attractive again so people want to be there and those at work can be productive. The response from commercial real estate owners and managers includes new building facades and entrances, grand lobbies, brighter corridors, roof decks, fitness centers, and large conference centers. Adding shared amenities helps to compete with Class A buildings.

Shared facilities meet tenants’ needs, too, where we’re seeing a downsizing trend. As companies renew their lease, they are giving space back or looking to move to commercial office space that works better for the business. The emphasis is on understanding how the space is going to be used and creating purpose-built interiors.

The thought behind the investment
As a leader in commercial office construction and customization, HBW understands the new dynamics of commercial real estate. Flexibility attracts tenants, while appearance and features attract employees.

We’re seeing tenants spending more time working with designers on programming their office space. Together, they determine who’s coming in, who’s staying at home, how the work is going to flow, what people will be doing, and what tools or space they need for those tasks – all before designing the space that HBW then builds out.

We’re also seeing Landlords building more spec office spaces to speed up the lease process. By doing the build-out process themselves, offices are move-in ready; some are even turnkey and include all furnishings. These spaces aren’t a blank slate; often, they are trendy, high-tech-looking spaces with shared kitchens and conference rooms on each floor.

What’s in – and what’s OUT
When it comes to upgrading office space, it’s out with the old and in with the new.

We’re seeing commercial real estate say goodbye to:

• Plain office interiors
• Communal shared desktops
• Spaces dense with private offices 
• Assigned work spaces
• Office space in the city

 And in their place, we’re building out:

• Hoteling spaces, where employees can reserve workspace depending on the type of tasks they need to do that day
• Open-concept coworking environments with a mix of sofas, chairs, and tables
• Soundproof booths or rooms for private phone calls or conversation
• Modular furniture that can be easily reconfigured
• Office space in new, trendy mixed use developments in the suburbs
• Large rooms that can be divided with operable partitions to accommodate large and small gatherings

These commercial investments are just that – money spent for a future payoff. Five years ago, $50 – $60 a square foot in construction cost for an office was high-end. Today, we’re seeing landlords spending $110 – $160 a square foot on spec suites that include accent walls, linear lighting, glass wall systems, and other “homey” features that appeal to tenants and employees.

Changing space, changing roles
Here at HBW, we’ve stayed on-trend with our own space. We’ve downsized, consolidating two office spaces into one for better collaboration. When we’re not busy tearing down walls and installing modern amenities, we are spending more time on pre-lease consulting for our customers.

Since design and function are so important, customers considering multiple buildings for their new office space need to know that the “bones” are suitable to do the kind of things they want with their build-out. Our expertise and construction knowledge help them select the right space and understand the costs involved to realize their vision for the space.

When it comes to office space, the mindset now is: If you’re going to have it, make sure it works for you. HBW remains ready to help owners and property managers with their changing needs as they invest in next-gen office space.

To see how HBW Construction can make it “work for you,” visit our Corporate Interiors portfolio on our website.