FAQ By Department:
- Estimating Department
- Field Operations
- Finance/Administration
- Safety FAQ
- Equipment Management
- Information Technology
FAQ By Project Type
FAQ By Department:Estimates Department FAQWhat is the average size job that you typically estimate?Our projects size average between $3 and $10 million, but no job is too small. We will bid jobs in excess of $150 million.How much does certain work cost?Although every job is different and it can be challenging to give preliminary pricing, we do our best to provide realistic cost budgeting.What is the companies bonding limit?A history of consistent job performance has given us extensive bonding capabilities well in excess of $200 million.Do you use a construction estimating computer software?For over ten years we have used HCSS HeavyBid software for estimates and AGTEK software for takeoffs. Both programs are respected industry leaders in the heavy civil construction market.Do you bid on design build projects?Yes, these projects allow us to use our extensive industry expertise and a strong team of trade partners to provide a top-quality project at the most economical price.back to top |
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Field Operations FAQWhat region is most of your work constructed in?The vast majority of our jobs are within a 200 mile radius of Livermore, CA, but we are licensed and actively seeking work in eight western states.Does Mountain Cascade do any asphalt paving?We have prep. and paving crews that have the capabilities of doing aggregate base placement, grinding, patch paving and overlays in house.How can we become a subcontractor or suppler for MCI?Contact our Estimating Department and discuss the services you can provide. Once you determine the types of projects or trades we are subcontracting you will need to consistently provide us quotes based on the project plans and specs. We also require all our subcontractors to be a union company.Can you help us budget this job?Assisting clients and engineers in the early stages of a project with realistic cost budgeting and design suggestions are services that we put a high level of importance on.What would be the advantages of using Cast-In-Place Concrete Pipe?In most soil and site conditions we can provide a superior product with substantial cost savings.(see CIPP Innovations) Are you able to give us a better schedule?With a sizeable equipment fleet and substantial labor forces we are able to provide multiple crews to get your job done faster than the competition.back to top |
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Finance/Administration FAQWhat accounting software does the company utilize?For quite sometime, we have used Timberline Construction Software for financial and cost reporting needs. Over the years the system has been modified and customized to provide powerful tools for the company.How long will it take for me to get paid as a subcontractor or supplier?As long as your invoices are accurately submitted per your subcontract or purchase order we will pay within agreed terms.
MCI has an extremely strong balance sheet with a history of profitable returns to the shareholder and positive cash flow. This enables us to provide a comprehensive insurance program and large bonding capacity mentioned above. |
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Safety FAQHow does MCI view safety as a company?Safety is more than just a priority; it’s a value at Mountain Cascade Inc. We believe Safety is a state of mind and that through proper training for all our valued employees being safe becomes second nature. We have a multitude of programs that are implemented to assist in creating the safest work environment possible.What type of safety training do you give your labor force?All of our employees are given safety training in the appropriate area for their position. Some common categories are First Aid/CPR, Competent Person Trenching & Excavation, Confined Space, and Traffic Control.What prior training would I need to work for MCI?We only hire experienced union trained operators and laborers to work in the field. You will also need to pass a pre-hire drug screening.back to top |
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Equipment Management FAQDo you rent any of your equipment to outside companies?Almost all of our equipment fleet is available for rent with negotiable durations and terms.How do you keep track of your equipment fleet?We use a customized in-house designed dispatch software program combined with GPS tracking technology.What preventive maintenance do you perform on your equipment fleet?We track and record the usage and condition of all our equipment. By performing regular scheduled services per OEM specification, we keep our fleet running at optimal efficiency and prevent unwanted down time.What equipment manufactures do you purchase most of your equipment from?The manufactures we use vary based on the type and size of the equipment. However, a few companies that we have long standing relationships with are Caterpillar, Kobelco, John Deere, Ford and General Motors.back to top |
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Information Technology FAQWhat should I do if I receive an email informing me that a message I sent to a Mountain Cascade employee or department has bounced?Save the email and call Mountain Cascade's IT department so we can assist you in sending the message.I received an email from a Mountain Cascade employee and I cannot open the attachment.Reply to the email, and inform the sender that you cannot open the attachment. We will either save the attachment in a format that you can open or let you know which program opens the attachment.back to top |
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FAQ By Projects Type: |
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Municipal Pipelines FAQWhat region is most of your work constructed in?The vast majority of our jobs are within a 200 mile radius of Livermore, CA, but we are licensed and actively seeking work in eight western states.Does Mountain Cascade do any asphalt paving?We have prep. and paving crews that have the capabilities of doing aggregate base placement, grinding, patch paving and overlays in house.How can we become a subcontractor or suppler for MCI?Contact our estimating department and discuss the services you can provide. Once you determine the types of projects or trades we are subcontracting you will need to consistently provide us quotes based on the project plans and specs. We also require all our subcontractors to be a union company.back to top |
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Private Development FAQCan you help us budget this job?Assisting clients and engineers in the early stages of a project with realistic cost budgeting and design suggestions are services that we put a high level of importance on.What would be the advantages of using Cast-In-Place Concrete Pipe?In most soil and site conditions we can provide a superior product with substantial cost savings.(see CIPP Innovations) Are you able to give us a better schedule?With a sizeable equipment fleet and substantial labor forces we are able to provide multiple crews to get your job done faster then the competition.back to top |
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Concrete Structures FAQDo you install your own rebar on your structures?For larger more complex structures we often use rebar subcontractor to furnish and install the rebar. On small structures we can install the rebar inhouse.When does using a metal integrated form system work best?Large uniform configured structures such as a long box culvert or tall one size structure like a vault present the most advantages for a form system.Is Precast or Cast-In-Place best for structures?Pre cast is better for smaller structures or boxes that don’t connect to many existing facilities or are located in areas that have open excavation constraints, like a busy street. Cast-in-place are superior in large structures or ones that have unusual shapes. They also give you the most flexibility to connect to existing pipes or structures and can be heavily reinforced because weight is not a limiting factor.back to top |
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Pumping Facilities FAQWhat size pumps do you normally use?There really are no standard pump sizes, but most of our pumps range in size from 4” to 36” diameter.How do the sewer lift stations know when to turn on/off?These pumping stations have float sensors to activate the pump when the volume reaches a pre-set level. When the level falls the pump switches off. The number of times it cycles on/off depends on the wet well size and incoming flow.back to top |
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Reservoirs & Water Tanks FAQ
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Trenchless Projects FAQWill using trenchless methods be more cost effective on my project?By asking some basic question about surface conditions, site access, work zone easement, and soil conditions we can often determine whether trenchless construction or staying with more typical open-cut installation will make more economic since.How can you protect existing underground utilities using trenchless methods?A number of procedures are used depending on the situation, but common techniques would be pothole to locate and verify all crossing, designing the crossing with sufficient clearance, and supporting the necessary utilities.What types of pipelines can be installed using trenchless technology?Almost all diameters and both pressure and gravity pipes can be either installed or rehabilitated with trenchless methods.What is HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling), and when would I use that method instead of bore and jack or microtunnel?HDD uses guided drilling for creating an arc profile. This technique is best used for drilling long distances to install smaller diameter (under 36-inch) pipelines or cables. The process involves three main stages: drilling of a pilot hole, pilot hole enlargement, and pullback installation of the carrier pipe.back to top |
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Other ProjectsDo you bid on design build projects?Yes, these projects allow us to use our extensive industry expertise and a strong team of trade partners to provide a top-quality project at the most economical price.I have a project that I’m not sure is the type of work that you construct, how can I find out if you would be interested in my project?We try and list some of the major category of work that we actively construct, but it would be impossible to list everything. Please contact our Estimating Department to discuss the details of your job.back to top |
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