Watts Construction, Inc.

Preparing for a green building demand

by Alysia Shivers

When patriarch Richard Watts started Watts Construction, Inc., four decades ago, little did he know that his ability to embrace innovative concepts would result in a successful, single-source business that has come to be known as a pioneer in the industry.

While the strategies employed by Watts Construction are not necessarily new, the company has instituted them in ways that not only help its process and performance, but also its clients. One such strategy is design-build, a concept that brings together all the team players—owner, architect, engineers, and contractor—from the very start of the project. 

“Design-build is out there and being used, but more companies are using it as a partner relationship where we have it in-house,” says Doug Watts, owner and president. “We can all meet here around the table, develop a budget, a schedule, and go to work on it.”

Such practices have created promising ventures and relationships for the family owned and operated business that develops, designs, and builds manufacturing plants, warehouse facilities, office, retail and hospitality space, and institutional buildings in Arizona, Nevada and Utah. 

Today, Watts Construction is again embracing progress by going green. In late 2007, the company became a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and Richard’s daughter, Jessica, is the first LEED accredited professional on staff.

“We are constantly changing our marketing and business development strategies and have decided to include green technology,” says Doug. “We just want to be known as a company that cares about what people need by providing a variety of services.”

To make the public aware of its green building efforts, the company’s plans include:

Promoting it on its website

Making it a part of its client presentation

Promoting it in its brochures

Joining pertinent industry associations

Its first foray into the world of green happened merely by circumstance. In the process of constructing the 48,000-square-foot Chiniquy Center in St. George, Utah, the client decided to add some green aspects, including ground source heat pumps and Insulated Concrete Efficient (I.C.E.) Block. “This is probably our greenest project so far,” says Doug of the $6 million Class A office space.

A second project, an ophthalmologist and surgical practice, has just recently come into the fold where the client has expressed the desire for green technology. Watts’ team discussed with the client what level of certification the project could receive and how much it would cost to get to that level.

“We anticipate a lot of clients asking those questions, and we are prepared for them now,” says Doug.

One of the big questions is cost and return on investment. For instance, the ophthalmologist and surgical practice client wanted to incorporate solar panels. After conducting some price testing, it was found that the initial investment would be costly while the payback would be minimal. The company suggested that the solar panels be omitted for now and when the payback gets better, then they could be installed later. 

“We just work through solutions to make sure everybody’s not having to invest heavily in green and therefore lose their return on investment,” explains Doug. “Unless the client chooses to pay upfront and is not concerned with the return on investment.”

The client also has to consider whether the monetary payback of green building is as crucial as the potential image enhancement, which can be a more immediate payback. “It depends on the company and how they want to portray themselves,” says Doug.

Green technology is an addition to Watts Construction existing services. “I don’t persuade my clients to do anything. We’re not here to be a car salesman for green technology,” says Doug. “We want a happy client and a list of services available to that client.”