CDK Enterprises

In recent months, the construction industry has grappled with significant challenges, including labor scarcity and supply chain issues, leading to a notable rise in construction costs. These costs, at times, have outpaced general inflation rates, introducing new complexities in project financing.

The complexities extend beyond financing. In the subsequent project execution phase, the industry needs reliable and skilled general contractors who can manage and complete projects within set timelines.

This convergence of financial intricacies and operational finesse delineates the critical juncture where the prowess of CDK Enterprises shines. Featuring a structure comprising two vertically integrated business units, the firm delivers innovative preconstruction and construction services using technology and expertise to confront the aforementioned construction challenges.

“Our objective is to examine every construction facet to provide detailed reviews and tailored assistance throughout the process,” says Dave Krawczyk, president and founder of CDK Enterprises.

CDK’s story is deeply rooted in Krawczyk’s nearly 45 years of experience, starting with single-family construction. The company’s significant shift occurred in 2008, coinciding with the downturn in the residential single-family housing market. Responding to the changing market conditions, Krawczyk strategically pivoted to multifamily projects. This decision was informed by a noticeable gap in multifamily and hospitality developers’ in-house capabilities for preconstruction and procurement.

Embracing this opportunity, CDK Enterprises evolved to address this niche, building on Krawczyk’s experience. Today, it is a comprehensive provider of preconstruction and construction services, assisting numerous high-profile builders and developers across the U.S.

Optimizing Construction Processes and Project Outcomes

Build-Rite, the technology and design arm of CDK Enterprises, focuses on precision and innovation in construction design and material take-off services. It leverages stateof-the-art modeling software, converting traditional 2D construction documents into dynamic 3D models. This process facilitates a comprehensive quality assurance review, identifying dimensional disparities or design conflicts within architectural, structural and mechanical documents. Concurrently, the team conducts a thorough value engineering assessment, pinpointing and quantifying cost-saving opportunities for client approval. The resulting 3D model undergoes reverse engineering to generate precise material lists and 2D framing schematics, integrating comprehensive cost savings into the final construction costs.

Build-Rite’s framing schematics service also translates 3D models into precise 2D framing plans, seamlessly integrating them with actual construction needs and requirements. This service is invaluable for framing contractors, offering detailed layout diagrams and diverse design options to ensure accuracy and practicality.

Build-Rite’s component design service is highly regarded for its advanced framing techniques, material use optimization, and energy efficiency boosting. These services cater to component fabricators and contractors, enhancing conventional framing methods while reducing labor needs.

Distinguished by its adaptability, Build-Rite’s services are intricately tailored to meet the unique demands of each project, consistently delivering substantial savings for both owners and contractors. Its expertise lies in identifying costsaving avenues, optimizing processes and resolving conflicts, leading to truncated project timelines and optimized material logistics. Grounded in value engineering and rigorous project assessments, this approach ensures superior quality, optimized costs and streamlined construction processes.

ProjectPro

Aligned with the firm’s overarching vision, ProjectPro stands as another pivotal unit of CDK Enterprises, specializing in procurement consulting for residential and light commercial projects.

It takes a notable departure from the conventional designbid-build process and achieves a remarkable reduction, driving average hard costs down 12 percent to 15 percent. The company takes pride in its distinct approach, analyzing on-site labor requirements, sourcing materials directly from manufacturers to eliminate unnecessary mark-ups, minimizing waste, and identifying strategic cost-saving opportunities.

The comprehensive nature of the ProjectPro process extends to actively supporting all sub-contractors in the bidding phase, embodying a commitment to ‘leveling the playing field.’ Sub-contractors undergo a rigorous evaluation based on three key criteria, with final selection grounded in their overall performance in competitive bid pricing, project manager/on-site supervisor experience, and their willingness to collaborate effectively. This maximizes overall value without compromising quality or sacrificing profits.

ProjectPro’s array of services and products also includes tailored training sessions designed for pre-construction teams. These interactive sessions are customized per ongoing projects. They cover crucial aspects, such as establishing internal budgets based on quantifiable measurements for labor and materials, setting target budgets for all phases to achieve lower overall project costs, intentional overlapping for the scope of works cost reduction, and the importance of bidding material and labor separately.

From Overbudget to Overachievement

At the core of CDK Enterprises is a promise of tangible and measurable value for clientele. In a compelling narrative, the firm collaborated with a prominent hospitality developer to address a challenging scenario involving a significant budget overrun. Unfazed by the magnitude of the challenge, it strategically navigated an approach that encompassed design review, extensive value engineering throughout the entire structure, and active engagement in the preliminary bid process. This strategic intervention surmounted the budgetary hurdles and identified substantial savings, allowing the project to successfully realize its financial objectives.

Encounters with projects grappling with budgetary constraints are not unfamiliar territory for CDK Enterprises.When budget gaps soar to remarkable figures, as much as $10 million, challenges arise from a combination of factors. The pricing dynamics and the general contractor’s approach to the bidding process may lack the requisite aggressiveness, while project specifications frequently impede achieving desired cost reductions. CDK Enterprises adeptly addresses these challenges by striking a delicate balance between these variables, aiming to deliver the most optimal outcome for its clients.

Central to the firm’s triumphs is a commitment to a rigorous review and acceptance process. It adheres to a certain guiding principle that sets it apart within the industry, only accepting– pricing or bidding opportunities that align with the level of commitment CDK Enterprises would personally undertake. This principled approach has proven instrumental in driving success, as evidenced by a recently completed project. A general contractor initially expressed skepticism about the potential cost savings, contending that the project had undergone exhaustive scrutiny. However, CDK Enterprises’ persistence and focus ultimately exceeded the developer’s expectations by $2.6 million in savings.

CDK Enterprises is not just a construction and procurement firm; it is a narrative of resilience, adaptability and innovation. As the firm continues to shape tomorrow’s structures today, its story becomes a chapter in construction history and a blueprint for those who dare to be different, adapt dynamically, and measure success not in generic terms but in tangible, quantifiable excellence.