Don Thierman
Taking on the Toughest Renovations for Thirty Years... and Counting
D
By Mark Kandborg
on Thierman, founder and president of Thierman Construction Ltd., has a gift. “I seem to have some kind of knack for estimating, which is actually the most important part of any construction project,” he explains. “If you don’t get the job for the right price it’s an uphill battle from that point on, which is where people start cutting corners.” Thierman points out that a lot of companies neglect to put the emphasis on the estimate, thinking it’s not as important as project management. “But the fact is, if the job is bid too low it won’t matter what you do as a project manager. You’re not going to make the profit you bid.” Before starting his own company in 1984, Thierman bid on contracts for his former employer. “We bid on all kinds of projects, but the kind of jobs I’d end up getting were the renovations. There’s something about the way I look at it.” This seemingly innate ability to look at a renovation proposal and see exactly what it requires has served Thierman well, and now his com-
pany, Thierman Construction, handles renovations almost exclusively. “The messier, the better,” he says, with a smile. “We’re probably the most competitive renovation company in the city. If someone puts in a bid that’s any lower, they’re losing money. So if you want the best value, come to us.” When Thierman says “the messier, the better,” what he really means is that he likes a challenge. In fact, he and the members of his team embrace it. What kind of a challenge? The large trial court room in the Law Courts building certainly fits the bill, and not just because of the jail cells, the bullet-proof glass and the steel walls, or the fact that the renovation was the only one of its kind in the province. No, there was one particular challenge that stands out in Thierman’s mind as he looks back on it. “The whole thing’s in the basement,” he says. “And nothing would fit in the elevator.” You might say that the Thierman Construction team has learned a thing or two over the years about overcoming obsta-
Thierman Construction Ltd. | 30 Years
Left: Painting the Forest Heights Gym. Above: East Glen School Window Replacement.
cles to access. Like the time they took on the job of converting a University of Alberta (U of A) gymnasium into a two-story premise. “We had to bring in all of the structural steel, 50-foot steel beams, steel deck, concrete and drywall,” Thierman explains, adding quietly, “through a window.” Makes sense, even if the added level of difficulty boggles the mind a bit. After all, getting 50-foot steel beams up a staircase isn’t exactly an option and even for components where an elevator might be of assistance, a luxury like that wasn’t available until they built one – which they couldn’t do until much of the work had been done. Clearly, there are some disadvantages to working in and around a structure that’s already been built. Just as clearly, Don Thierman has learned what it takes to get jobs like these done in the three decades that he’s been in business. One of the keys to his success is insuring that his approach to every project is both flexible and efficient. “We used to be bigger, actually,” he says, “but I found that bigger isn’t necessarily better. You can burn yourself out. Doing 20 jobs at once means project managers who don’t have the focus. With us, you get hands on from the owner.” When you hire his company to do a job, you get Thierman himself running the show with his superintendent, from bid to completion. That’s focus. That’s attention. That’s Thierman Construction Ltd.
Congratulations Thierman Construction! 1700, 10235 - 101 Street NW Phone: (780) 426-5220 • Fax: (780) 420-6277 • Toll Free: 1-866-212-5220 www.emeryjamieson.com
10353 - 71 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6E 0W9 Phone: (780) 438-5938 • Fax: (780) 437-7096 www.thiermanconstruction.com
Steel Stud, Drywall, Taping, T-Bar Suspended Ceilings and Masonry
Congratulations Thierman Construction! We wish you many years of continued success! 15847-116 Ave. Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3W1 Office: 780-756-6101 • Fax: 780-756-6102 northcancontracting.com
Thierman Construction Ltd. | 30 Years