BUILDERS EXCHANGE OF MICHIGAN
The Source The Source Quarterly Quarterly January 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
Executive Address Platform Pointers Planning Projects to Watch Upcoming BX Events BX Member Discount on Estimating Courses
YOUR BX
A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Dear Members of the Builders Exchange of Michigan, As we reflect on 2025, I’m proud to say it was a year of meaningful growth for the Builders Exchange. Our events saw incredible participation, and that success is entirely because of you—our members—who continue to show up, engage, and invest in this community. Thank you for being an active part of what makes the Builders Exchange of Michigan strong. This year, we were also honored to support two outstanding organizations through our events: Construction Allies in Action and West Michigan Construction Institute. Both are doing incredible work for our industry and our community, and we’re grateful for the impact they continue to make. I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to our Board of Directors for their leadership and support throughout the year. And a special note of appreciation to Ken Jansen of Lake Michigan Insurance Agency, Dave Moore of Grand Rapids Gravel, Glenn Rahn of Retail Design Consultants, and Dan Oosterink of Dave Cole Decorators for their dedication, service, and contributions over the past three years. Your commitment has helped move the Builders Exchange forward in many meaningful ways.
I’d also like to thank our partners and sponsors for their continued support of the Builders Exchange. Your collaboration and commitment help make our programs, events, and member resources possible, and we truly appreciate your partnership. As we head into 2026, we’re excited to continue expanding project opportunities, enhancing training offerings, and delivering even more value through member benefits. Our focus remains on supporting your success and strengthening the construction community we all rely on. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions or to update your account—we’re always here to help. And to those who are not yet members, we invite you to consider joining this incredible community and experiencing the many benefits that come with being part of the Builders Exchange of Michigan. Thank you for a great year, and we look forward to what’s ahead together.
CHRISTIAN ANTONINI
Executive Vice President Builders Exchange of Michigan
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THE SOURCE QUARTERLY: Q1 2026
BEYOND THIS PAGE
The Source Quarterly Q1 2026
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Upcoming BX Events
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Platform Pointers with Cheryl
Builders Exchange of Michigan 2007 Eastcastle Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616.949.8650 www.grbx.com ______________
CONTENT & PROJECT SUPERVISION Katie Hawley Business Manager Builders Exchange of Michigan _______________
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On Your Radar Planning Projects to Watch
DESIGN Alvaro Jimenez Builders Exchange of Michigan ______________
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AD SALES Cheryl Rose Member Services Manager Builders Exchange of Michigan
Why Estimating Skills Are Essential in Construction
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The Source Quarterly (TSQ) is published for the benefit of the visiting public and members of the Builders Exchange of Michigan. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this document, no responsibility will be assumed by Builders Exchange of Michigan, or any of its partners, for errors or omissions. No warranties are made regarding the information contained herein. Endorsement, views, and opinions in advertisements is not binding. All of the information furnished herein is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced without prior written consent. © 2026 Builders Exchange of Michigan
2026 BX BOARD OF DIRECTORS JODI VAN HAREN, Board President Advantage Mechanical Refrigeration
ELGIN CLARK, Director AbsolutAire Inc
DON TUCKER, Board Vice President Standard Lumber / Standard Kitchen
BRUCE COURTADE, Director Rhoades McKee PC
MARK LAUTENBACH, Board Treasurer VBA CPAs
STEVE KARSTEN, Director
BRAD HARMON, Director Lumen Electric Inc
KEN JANSEN, Past President Lake Michigan Insurance Agency
TY HALLOCK, Director First Companies
CHRISTIAN ANTONINI, Executive Vice President Builders Exchange of Michigan
CARRIE WILSON, Director Freedom Construction www.grbx.com
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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR BX MEMBERS
UPCOMING BX EVENTS Your input matters to us!
Jan 13
What training topics would be most helpful for your team? Your feedback helps shape our future programs. Please email cantonini@grbx.com with any input.
Print Reading Continues This 8-part basic level course will teach participants to navigate through a complete set of commercial construction documents. Registration has closed
Feb 3
Applied Estimating Begins Gain a well-rounded view of the estimating process in this 8-part course that provides practical knowledge in a classroom setting. Secure Seats
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Legal Series: Contract Review 101 Learn how to review contracts from top to bottom, avoid common mistakes, and understand critical terms before you sign. Sign Up
Looking for BX event invites & reminders delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email list at www.grbx.com! 4
THE SOURCE QUARTERLY: Q1 2026
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR BX MEMBERS
SAVE THE DATES! May Builders & Benefits TBD Brews, Network with member companies and industry colleagues while enjoying a cold beverage!
Intereste d in joinin g Summer Golf Leag BX ue? Tues day afterno ons starting in
April! Please em ail cantonin i@grbx.c om for m ore informati on.
Aug Annual Golf Outing 24 Join the Builders Exchange of Michigan for the 70th Annual Golf Outing at Saskatoon Golf Club!
Sep Sporting Shootout 29 Annual Break clays for a good cause! Join the Builders Exchange of Michigan for the 2026 BX Member Sporting Shootout at Caledonia Sportsman Club.
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THE SOURCE QUARTERLY: Q1 2026
PLATFORM POINTERS
Platform Pointers with Cheryl
Happy New Year! We’re excited for 2026 and would like to share our perspective on how your company information is displayed and searched on our website. Let’s focus on your Primary Company Types, specifically, what is a Primary Company Type and why it is important to you as a member of Builders Exchange of Michigan. First, what is a Primary Company Type? Your primary company type is best described as the operational role that your company performs and how it functions on a project. Here are a few examples:
General Contractor (GC): Prime Contractor – company that holds the main contract with the owner and manages the entire project, plus hires sub/specialty contractors. Specialty Contractor: Hired by the GC to perform specific trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC & roofing) Supplier: Company that provides essential materials, equipment and sometimes services needed for a project. Suppliers differ from contractors by [generally] providing products/services versus performing the installation and/or labor.
Second, why is your Primary Company Type important? It’s important because it affects how other contractors search for you based on their needs. If your primary company type correctly identifies your work and/or service & supplies you provide, companies can easily find you and send invitations to bid for work or inquire about the services and supplies you offer.
Cheryl Rose Member Services Manager, Builders Exchange of Michigan Crose@grbx.com
We added two new Primary Company Types last year: Tree Removal Contractor and Manufacturers Rep. Both are necessary to better describe the actual performance of each company type. The Manufacturers Rep company type has a special opportunity to utilize our Private Planroom, inviting their suppliers/vendors to specific projects for their product. If you are a Manufacturers Representative and are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please contact Cheryl for more information. To see your Primary Company Type: log into our website, select the Administration Tab and use the drop down menu to select Edit your Company/User Information. Toggle through all of the forms until you reach the Confirm Company Types option. Your Primary Company Type will be listed in RED on that page. You can also view your primary company type by searching your company name in the Research Center. If your company type should be different than what is listed, please contact us. Our assistance is required to make this change. All in all, your Primary Company Type is important because it provides information on the operational role and/or service your company provides on a project. Additionally, it affects your searchability & how other companies find you! Please let us know if we can be of assistance in helping you decide what your company type should be and/or if you’d like more information on the Manufacturers Rep feature described in this article.
www.grbx.com
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ON YOUR RADAR: PROJECT WATCH WITH BECKY
ON YOUR RADAR Project Watch with Becky Colón Becky has been with the Builders Exchange of Michigan as a Construction News Reporter since 2010. She enjoys learning about projects in their early planning stages, cultivating strong industry relationships, and is passionate about empowering her team to deliver high-quality results together.
REDEVELOPMENT OF A PLANT FOR A MASSIVE-SCALE HIGH END INDUSTRIAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT / Project ID’s 2020-287C; 2020-287C-B; 2020-287C-C Builders Exchange has been following this $50 million project since 2020. Plans include a redeveloped 117,000 square foot community center / mixed use building that will feature 42 live/work affordable housing units; an indoor skate park; museum; creative community programming areas; and more than two acres of indoor/outdoor event spaces and recreation areas. There will also be a 393,000 square foot class-A industrial building constructed on the vacant portion of the site. Construction could start during the first part of 2027 dependent on city approvals.
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THE SOURCE QUARTERLY: Q1 2026
PROJECTS TO TRACK IN 2026
NEW PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING / Project ID 2026-0020 Early plans suggest a possible 5,120 square foot structure, though dimensions and designs remain subject to change based on departmental needs. The proposed $850,000 to $1 million public safety building features include: a heated garage for police vehicles; secure evidence storage; a wash bay; and shower facilities for officers. INDUSTRIAL BUILDING / Project ID 2026-0000 Plans are for a new 57,200 square-foot industrial building with associated parking. Preliminary plans have been submitted to the city, but a planning commission meeting has not been scheduled yet as of January 2nd. NEW AMBULATORY CLINIC / Project ID 2025-3034 Design and construction will take approximately 30 months for this 31,000 square foot $28 million facility. The project will be adjacent to the current hospital and will house services including primary care, imaging, oncology, orthopedics and cardiology. ENERGY AND UTILITY TRAINING CENTER FOR A COMMUNITY COLLEGE / Project ID 2025-3050 Construction is slated to begin in October of 2027 with completion planned for December of 2028 on this $8.85 million training center. This 11,000 square foot facility will allow for electrical power supply expansion to the West Campus and provide space for classes to be removed from other buildings. NEW ICE ARENA WITH A BAR / Project ID 2025-2916 A feasibility study was launched in October of 2025 for a proposed $4 million, 16,000 square foot icehouse with a bar. They are hoping to have the facility constructed by 2028. MEGA-SCALE INDUSTRIAL CAMPUS / Project ID 2022-0B39 Builders Exchange has been following this $40 million development since 2022. Proposed is the construction of an approximately 30-acre business campus. Plans include the construction of one or more buildings which will include up to 480,000 square feet for light industrial, warehouse, and distribution operations.
www.grbx.com
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ESTIMATING ACADEMY: ASPE COURSE DISCOUNT FOR BX MEMBERS
Why Estimating Skills Are Essential in Construction To build a career that reaches those six-figure leadership roles, you must do more than just learn software. You need to understand the "physics of construction" – how buildings actually go together and how money flows through a job site. Here is the "Foundations First" guide to mastering the core principles of estimating.
1. Master the "Art of the Takeoff" Before you touch fancy software, you must understand the manual logic of a takeoff. A takeoff is the process of quantifying every physical item needed for a project. Reading Between the Lines: Don't just look at the floor plans. First, master the Architectural, Structural, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) drawings. A strong estimator can "see" the 3D building in their head just by looking at a flat piece of paper. The Power of Assemblies: Instead of counting individual screws, learn to estimate in "assemblies." For example, one linear foot of a wall includes studs, track, drywall, screws, tape, and paint. Understanding these relationships prevents you from missing the "small stuff" that eats profits.
2. Understand Labor Productivity Material costs are can be easy to look up; labor costs are commonly where estimators can win or lose money. This is one of the most foundational skills you can develop. Production Rates: You need to know how long it takes a two-man crew to hang 50 sheets of drywall or lay 1,000 bricks. The "Field" Perspective: Spend time on active job sites. Watch how weather, site congestion, and equipment breakdowns slow down work. If you don't understand the struggle of the person in the field, your estimates will never be accurate.
3. The "Big Three" Math Foundations You don't need calculus, but you must be flawless in these three areas: Geometry: Calculating slopes for roofing, volumes for concrete pours (including "waste" factors), and areas for complex floor patterns. Units of Measure: You must be a "bilingual" expert in converting units – switching effortlessly between board feet, cubic yards, square squares (for roofing), and tons. The Margin vs. Markup Distinction: This is a classic rookie mistake. Markup is what you add to your cost; Margin is the percentage of the selling price that is profit. Confusing these two can bankrupt a small contractor.
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ASPE ESTIMATING COURSE DISCOUNT
Complete all six courses to earn the ASPE Certificate in Construction Estimating.
Special Builders Exchange of Michigan Pricing and Details
To receive the discounted rate of $525 per course, create a GRBX member profile using this unique link. (Click here for step-by-step instructions or contact KHawley@grbx.com for details.) Then register for any of the six courses listed above. Invest in your estimating skills and pave the way for a successful construction career!
As a Builders Exchange of Michigan member, you can access ASPE's online Certificate courses at a discounted rate! Get a $50 discount per course. Courses Include:
Register Today for classes beginning on January 12, 2026! ▪
Basic Estimating Math Plan Reading for Estimating Introduction to Construction Estimating I Introduction to Construction Estimating II Construction Materials and Processes I Estimating and Bidding
Natasha Crumbliss, Education Program Manager American Society of Professional Estimators
natasha@aspenational.org
www.grbx.com
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