Quality People. Quality Projects.
PREPARING YOUR BUILD OHIO ENTRY
Every year, companies have questions about how to best prepare their Build Ohio entry. The following links describe the entire process, and give some useful tips to keep in mind while putting together your entry.
The Judging Process (PDF)
Preparing Your Project Story (PDF)
Project Boards, Photos and Logos (PDF)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Selecting a Category :
How do we determine what category to enter a project?
Projects can be entered in one of seven categories: Renovation, New Construction Under $7 Million; New Construction $7-20 Million; New Construction Over $20 Million; Industrial/Heavy; Specialty; and Construction Management.
To determine in which category a project should be entered, first consider what type
of project it is: Renovation, New Construction, Industrial/Heavy (heavy, utilities,
highway, industrial, manufacturing settings), Specialty (this category is reserved
for those who primarily work as a subcontractor), or Construction Management. The
entry form provides a detailed description of the categories.
When dealing with a new construction project, the cost of the project determines whether it goes in the New Construction Under $7 Million, New Construction $7-20 Million, or New Construction Over $20 Million category. For example, if a company is working on a large, $100 million project and has a $8 million contract for a portion of that project, the entry would go in the New Construction Over $20 Million category. When determining a project’s cost, consider the construction costs (contract amounts for subs, GC, primes, CM, etc.), not the cost for the land itself or architect fees.
The Build Ohio categories are loosely defined to allow AGC of Ohio to be fair and flexible. Some projects may meet the requirements for more than one category. For example, a company could enter a new industrial building in the New Construction or Industrial/Heavy category since it meets both categories’ criteria. A specialty contractor may choose to enter a project in the Renovation category as opposed to the Specialty category.
The Build Ohio judges have the final say in what category a project is entered, and they will move a project to another category if it is in the best interest of the project. Each project is judged according to the criteria of the category in which it is entered (i.e. Specialty contractors entering projects in the Renovation category will be judged according to the Renovation criteria, not the Specialty category criteria.)
(If you are unsure about which category your project should be entered in, contact the AGC of Ohio office for assistance.)
What if our company has more than one project that it wants to enter in the same category?
Companies may enter up to two projects per category. If a company with multiple offices in Ohio has separate offices that want to enter in the same category, each office may submit two projects in the same category. For example, XYZ Construction Co.’s Cleveland and Cincinnati offices may each submit two projects in the Renovation Category.
Entry Materials:
What should we include in our project overview that is sent in with our entry form?
Include any information that you want people to know about your project. AGC of Ohio will use that information when writing the promotional materials for Build Ohio. Information can include unique aspects of the project, challenges, innovations in construction, your management style, an aesthetic description of the completed project, etc.
What should we include in the project story (2,500-word written submission)?
Include
aspects of your project that best meet the Build Ohio criteria for its category.
Provide as many examples as possible of how the project meets and surpasses each
individual criterion. The Build Ohio criteria for each category are: Renovation,
Industrial/Heavy, New Construction, Construction Management: Meeting the Challenge
of a Difficult Job; Excellence in Client Service; Innovation in Construction Techniques
or Materials; and Excellence in Project Management. The criteria in the Specialty
category are: Excellence in Client Service; Meeting the Challenge of a Difficult
Job; Innovation in Construction Techniques or Materials; Craftsmanship; and Performance
as It Relates to Schedule.
Can we include pictures within the project story? If so, how many?
Yes. The number of pictures is up to you. Photos can be placed on one page or inserted throughout the text— just try to keep it within two pages of photos. Also, if you want make sure the judges see your photos in color, provide at least 12, 3-hole punched, color copies of your written submission. AGC of Ohio does not make color copies of project stories submitted.
When submitting the 5-10 photos for the Build Ohio video, can we use photos printed on computer photo paper from our P.C.?
No. The photos will have to be rescanned in by AGC of Ohio, and end up looking grainy when used in the video or printed media. Your best bet is to submit your professional prints electronically on a disk.
What types of files are acceptable for photos/logos?
Electronic photos and logos should be scanned in at a minimum of 300 dpi and saved as a jpg, tiff, vector, png or bmp only. Please send them on a CD, DVD or Flash drive to the AGC office.
Does our project board have to be 30x40 inches and on foam core board?
Boards can be smaller than 35x45, and do not have to have a foam core base. Some companies opt to have their boards matted and framed, some use corrugated board, and some are creative with their board materials. Instead of using a rectangular board, some opt to cut their boards into shapes. Feel free to be as creative as you like. However, please understand that the AGC of Ohio staff must transport the boards to an outside location, so please don’t submit oversized boards and/or ones that weigh more than 10 lbs.
Selection of Winning Projects
How are winning projects selected?
A group of retired construction professionals not involved in AGC activities select winning projects. Each project is examined according to how it meets the criteria of the category in which it is entered. Build Ohio judges utilize a scoring sheet when reviewing entries, with each criterion alloted a certain number of points.
Do judges take into account the creativity of the board?
No. While everyone enjoys the creative display boards, the judges strictly review the boards to learn how the project better meets the Build Ohio criteria based on the photos and text included on the board.
