Hello, everyone.

This is Enta.

Work on the catch basin site in Tokyo will begin right after Golden Week.

It's been a while since I've been to a catch basin!

Even when carrying out landslide prevention work and the like, construction of catch basins is rarely performed.

That's because the contractor for this project is pretty much a done deal, lol.

 

Well, to be honest, I think those in the know already know this, but it’s a really cutthroat industry, isn’t it?

It seems as though newcomers like us aren't allowed to do the work, so we can't get in.

Well, it seems like an industry where something from the old days still lingers.

It's not a particularly difficult construction project.

But do you have the machine?

Do you have scaffolding?

Can I set up H-beam scaffolding?

Do you have special training for work involving oxygen deficiency and hydrogen sulfide hazards?

There are a few hurdles like that, among others.

Well, I guess I could just outsource the scaffolding, lol.

 

You’ll get completely soaked, so you must always wear a raincoat; also, using a drilling machine inside the well creates a loud noise.

You'll definitely need earplugs or earmuffs.

 

The installation process is the same as usual, so it's no big deal.

As long as the mountain is good, though lol (though that's the important part)

However, the problem is that the subcontracting rates are extremely low.

Generally speaking, the longer the drilling length, the lower the unit price.

I’m quite familiar with collection wells myself, having served as the general contractor on two projects, but the primary contractor makes a very good profit on them.

However, the subcontractor carrying out the work...

Well, that’s why even if the site conditions are bad, the prime contractor usually covers a lot of the costs, lol.

 

Since we’re a first-tier subcontractor on this project, we’re just doing our best to handle construction and construction management for the general contractor.

Every industry has its ups and downs, and

If first-tier subcontractors are too hard on second-tier subcontractors (companies that only handle construction), contractors will keep disappearing.

 

It’s actually still surprisingly common for major companies to focus on how to cut subcontractors’ fees in order to boost their own profits, and

I can't help but wonder: Is it really a good idea to set a flat rate for head office and branch expenses, regardless of the profit margins at each location?

 

The days when those major brokerage firms could rake in huge profits by snagging large-scale deals left and right are long gone, but,

Since the people who lived through the good old days are now near the top, it looks like this vicious cycle will continue for a while lol

 

It seems to me that if companies don't keep promoting renewal, they'll eventually fade away.

 

See you later.