Lifestyle

A Comprehensive Guide To Types of Builders And Contractors

Published

4 years ago

July 21, 2021

Just like construction and renovation needs differ from client to client, contracts and contractors also vary in type. Deciding on one helps the contractors, owners, and suppliers to stay on the same page.

Additionally, having to follow a specific contract type ensures timely, accurate delivery with customer satisfaction. All the work goes according to the plan; however, every kind of contract has its specifications.

The Different Types Of Contracts To Consider

Signing a suitable contract with the right contractor is critical to the project’s quality of work and timely delivery. Building projects, like those for steel or metal buildings, are a significant investment, and it is imperative that your money is put to good use.

That is why you must take the time to vet through available contractors and get an ironclad contract with them to ensure the success of your project.

Each type of contract has its own set of perks and drawbacks. However, the most critical considerations are the scope, budget, schedule, delivery, and teams involved in a project.

Lump-Sum Contracts

These entail having a preset price with a clear project scope. Instead of breaking up the project into milestones and pricing each step, the project is priced as one whole before beginning with the work. Bidding in these contracts is simple, and a significant profit margin could be generated if the project is completed under the price. For the owner, this kind of project would bring timely delivery.

However, if the calculations and estimates are even a bit erroneous, the margin of error when setting the price could be enormous. If the costing procedures are inaccurate, there are high chances of the builder suffering a loss. Additionally, if the contractor chooses to outsource a few tasks, any problem will also be accounted for in the preset price. Hence, outsourcing can potentially bring loss to the contractor.

Cost-Plus-Fee Contracts

This type of contract brings flexibility for the builder. Only the contractor’s fee is predetermined, while the owner has to pay for the cost that goes into the project accordingly. Profit for the contractor is guaranteed, but the paperwork can be a great hassle. That is why keeping track of all receipts and payments is crucial.

When making this type of contract, classify what sort of costs shall be reimbursed and which ones can be accounted for in the contractor’s fee.

Guaranteed Maximum Price Contracts

This type is a mix of the two types of contracts discussed above. It calls for the owner to fix a cap on the total cost. The owner would bear any additional charges for materials used and would also enjoy any subsequent savings.

The project scope is clear, and the delivery of work goes on with mutual consensus. The project may even start earlier than scheduled after the cap has been set to ensure timely delivery.

A pro tip to get the best bargain and ensure timely delivery of the project is to use the savings on the cost to entice the contractor. In fact, split the savings to create a win-win situation for both parties.

Unit-Price Contracts

Rather than binding the contractor for the project’s entirety, this type of contract is divided into separate units.

The contractor may provide the owners with a fixed price for each unit of work. The total amount of work required is not precise, and the owner is at significant risk. These contacts are usually applicable in civil projects.

The owners are responsible for providing for all additional charges that go into the extra work done. Additionally, the total price of the project can not be known until the job is complete.

These contacts may not have a designated deadline to abide by as the amount of work required is not measurable, keeping the project scope slightly unclear in terms of daily tasks.

Conclusion

The complexity and expenses incurred by a project determine the type of contract that is the most suitable. It is best to consult with several builders and contractors before signing a contract with any one of them.

The correct cost estimates and realistic deadlines can only be set once you get in touch with contractors who care about your budget and time.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

17 hours ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.