InTents October/November 2020 - 27

WHEN, WHO, HOW OFTEN
Langehaug says Losberger sometimes
does an initial site evaluation to determine
the scope and provide an accurate quote.
However, a second evaluation might be
required closer to the actual install to
see if conditions have changed in such
a way as to affect the original plan.
"The goal is to make sure when
an install crew arrives they can start
working right away," he says. "It gets very
expensive to show up with a crew only to
have them wait while you try to ϐigure out
a Plan B with the client."
Most of the time, Aztec Tents performs
site inspections anywhere from at the
ϐirst meeting with the client up to seven
or 10 days before the installation, says
Kouzmanoff. Where lead times are shorter,
evaluations could happen just one or
two days prior. Multiple site visits may be
required for big installs or those sprawling
over large areas with differing topography.
Shortened lead times are one of the
biggest challenges associated with site
evaluations, says Kouzmanoff, who
bemoans this trend. "Years ago, you
would have weeks to plan for a project.
Today, many projects require a nearimmediate response."
Ideally, site evaluations should happen
far enough ahead to allow for proper
planning and allocation of resources,
says Belliveau.
"But not too far ahead to allow for
possible changes or alterations to the site
being considered," he adds. "I suggest a
few weeks, to three to four months out
for most site visits, although some might
be just a couple of days prior for events
that come up suddenly. Most important is
that you conduct one for pretty much all
event rentals and that the rental company
commits to this being standard."
As for who should conduct the
evaluation, Belliveau says the size and
type of rental company will determine
this. As such, this could involve the owner,

sales manager, the party/sales consultant,
operations manager, tent supervisor or an
experienced tent installer.
"Regardless, the person needs to be
a qualiϐied professional who has a good
understanding of what to look for and
how the proposed equipment will be laid
out," he adds.
Langehaug says the event and size of
tents or tent structures factor in, but that
generally, the property owners, client
and installer should meet to ensure a
common understanding. Maintenance
staff, a city planner or city ofϐicial will
sometimes get involved. Other times,
the project may require that only a lead
installer go out to get the measurements
and do a visual inspection.
Whoever is selected, it must be someone
who can identify potential problems ahead
of time and effectively transmit these to the
install team, says Kouzmanoff.
"It's also important to have someone
who can properly communicate with the
client and also share and communicate
to the ofϐice sales team any speciϐic
needs expressed by the client," he adds.
"Experience and education are key for
the person conducting the evaluation."

EXPERIENCE AND
EDUCATION ARE KEY
FOR THE PERSON
CONDUCTING THE
EVALUATION.
-ALEX KOUZMANOFF
AZTEC TENTS

A Skyline Tent Company crew worked in a
tight space to install a custom L-shaped P3
uniﬂex Losberger structure with 17-foot legs,
3-foot legs on the left and a dormer to make
the 90-degree turn necessary for covering
an outdoor dining space. Photo courtesy of
Losberger De Boer.

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InTents October/November 2020

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