Projects secured through the traditional method of public bids and private invited competitive bids are a valued part of the company’s annual mix. However, a majority of the building projects are negotiated as design/build or traditional construction - especially when time, budget or other restraints prohibit competitive bidding.

Fast-track design/build construction is becoming the contracting method of choice. With its value-engineering possibilities, design/build has proven to be the most time-expedient and cost-containing method for both owner and contractor. The design/build concept is a cooperative effort among all principal parties – owner, contractor and his retained design professional. This teamwork allows the project to go from concept to occupancy much faster and with a significant savings.

Proving to be the way of the future, design/build has grown considerably over the last ten years. Almost all of our design/build projects are negotiated and we expect design/build to account for the majority of our work in the future. Many industry experts say that a customer can generally save around 6% of the construction costs from a design-bid-build vs. traditional construction scenario. By maintaining open communications with its clients, Cooper and the design/build concept can control total job performance, quality and cost.

Since 1969, Cooper has offered customers the convenience of pre-engineered building systems. For over 30 years, the company and its clients have benefited from a successful relationship with Varco-Pruden (VP), a world leader in the manufacturing of pre-engineered building systems.

Cooper is proud to be a frequent recipient of VP’s Hall of Fame award for excellence in design, craftsmanship and construction in categories including government, community, and automobile dealerships, commercial and industrial. In addition, Mike Cooper, the company’s COO, has served numerous years on the VP advisory council.

Our utilities group provides many services including water/sewer lines, water/sewer treatment plants, storm drainage and curb and gutter work. While contracting directly with cities, municipalities and private developers; the utility group also participates in many of Cooper’s building projects, thus allowing in house cost savings and professional management.

The HVAC group of Cooper Construction, which opened in June of 2004, specializes in the pricing and installation of commercial heating and A/C systems. Like the utility group the utilization of the HVAC group on Cooper projects is an asset to the success of the project. However, unlike the utility group, which primarily contracts directly with Owners, the HVAC group works predominately on Cooper projects only.

Thanks to its reputation as a quality builder that completes work on time and pays subcontractors promptly, Cooper has its pick of the best subcontractors in the area. On a typical design/build project, Cooper will contact at least three proven subcontractors in each category, and may contact twice that number, however, only those capable of taking on yet another project are considered. Carefully selected, quality subcontractors are invited to price a Cooper job, and company officials draw on four decades of experience in making their choices. All other factors being equal, the subcontractor offering the most economical price will be chosen for the project.

When jobs are handled through traditional channels – not design/build – Cooper analyzes the subcontractors submitting bids on a project. Then, only dependable subcontractors are used, regardless of low bid. And, when the project is a large one, Cooper may require that subcontractors be bonded, for the protection of both the owner and the general contractor.

Cooper takes pride in guaranteeing customers the best subcontractors for their job, and holds these subcontractors to the same high standards as its own employees. Everyone working on a Cooper job must uphold the company’s standards for quality, safety and performance.

We are committed to building every project by the most efficient means possible and are a supporter of the LEED Green Building movement. Our sustainable building and development practices are implemented on every job and include sustainability review during design, recycling practices, and managing water, energy and materials to minimize waste.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification is an option on every project and our in-house LEED Accredited AP BD+C oversees complying with sustainability practices, federal and local regulations and the submitting of projects to the US Green Building Council. Our most recent LEED Certified job was the Gorges State Park Visitor's Center which was certified LEED Gold.

In the construction industry, Cooper has long been an acknowledged leader in safety. The company is committed to providing a safe work place through compliance with OSHA rules and regulations. These safeguards are supplemented, however, with training and the implementation of an aggressive safety program for both employees and subcontractors.

Overseen by a full-time safety director, the Cooper program includes weekly safety training and awards. Enforcement of the company’s stringent overall safety policy includes drug testing of all employees. Safety inspections are ongoing, and weekly safety meetings are held in the form of “tool-box talks.”

A safety-first attitude runs throughout the Cooper organization – from estimating to occupancy. When all employees view the importance of preventing accidents with the same diligence as performing their other job tasks, each of us shall realize a healthier working environment. Our prime concern is for a safe, accident free, environment for all persons. We can achieve this goal through a cooperative spirit on all levels of our company. We encourage all employees to suggest new methods in which our company can improve its safety program. At Cooper, a safe-workplace is not just a policy – it’s a reality.