Tamara Melkonyan, Author at Buildern resources

Construction Blog

Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) in Construction: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Create One

Quality control on a job site rarely feels simple. Some days, everything lines up. Other days, the team is juggling drawings, approvals, and inspections while trying to keep work moving. Most general contractors I’ve worked with have seen how small issues start to stack up when the checks are not organized. Inspection and Test Plans […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Billing Software for 2026: What Matters Most

Have you ever tried rolling out new software across a construction team and felt the resistance before you even clicked “setup”? I have. And over time, I learned that adopting billing software is never about pushing everyone into a new system. It’s more about how you set up the foundation so the first project runs […]

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Construction Blog

General Contractor Markup: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know that the average general contractor markup on labour is 25% and higher, and on materials, it can be as high as 50%? What does this imply for your business as a builder? Considering these average markup percentages, it’s essential to ask yourself: Are you charging enough to impact your profitability positively, or […]

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Construction Blog

10 Construction Company Goals Leading to a Success in 2026

Updated November 2025 The construction industry remains one of the world’s most powerful economic engines. Global construction spending has now surpassed $13 trillion in 2025, with forecasts showing steady 4.3% annual growth through the end of the decade. These numbers highlight not only the scale of opportunity but also the intense competition every builder faces. […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Allowances: 4 Effective Practices for Budget Management

Last updated October 2025 One of the most desired situations for any builder is to have an estimated budget as close to the true cost as possible. The more accurate the planned construction budget, the easier and faster project completion will be. However, the construction industry is all about uncertainties and unexpected things popping up during […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Formulas: The Working Math Behind Takeoffs, Estimates, and Budget Performance

I learned the hard way that estimating mistakes rarely come from carelessness but from inconsistent math without specific construction formulas. Imagine how the whole project can go sideways when a takeoff uses floor area instead of wall area, when roof area is not slope adjusted, or when markup is read as margin. Small deviations in […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Roles and Responsibilities: Complete Guide to Every Position on a Project

Construction job sites run on teams that include planners, problem-solvers, and crews who know their jobs inside out. On one project, you might see a chief financial officer (CFO) in a trailer signing off on budgets, and a laborer tying rebar just a few steps away. Both matter, and both keep the project progressing. But […]

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Construction Blog

13 Construction Company Branding Strategies to Build a Business From Scratch and Stand Out

Branding doesn’t only belong to flashy consumer brands. It matters in construction, too. Plenty of solid builders lose proposals to weaker competitors simply because the competitor looked more credible on paper or showed up online with a stronger company name. Clients don’t always judge purely on skill. Instead, they make decisions based on perception, trust, […]

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Construction Blog

Whole Home Remodeling: Builder’s Guide to a Seamless Transformation

When people search for “whole home remodeling,” they usually already know small fixes won’t do the job. A bathroom update or new floors might help, but most probably the house needs a complete transformation. I’ve worked with clients who started with “we just want to redo the kitchen” and a month later admitted the whole […]

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Construction Blog

13 Residential Construction Technology Trends to Watch in the Coming Years

In the past few years, I’ve seen residential construction change faster than at any other time in my career. The pace of new project management tools and methods entering the field is no longer gradual. It’s constant, and it’s reshaping how homes are designed, built, and managed. What stands out to me is how residential […]

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Construction Blog

Digital Takeoff vs. BIM-Based Takeoff: Which Is Better for Small Builders?

Over the years of working alongside construction teams, I’ve seen how quickly technology has become central to the way we estimate and manage costs. The key processes used to be manual, with stacks of paper plans, rulers, and highlighters spread across the desk. Today, digital tools have taken over much of that work, reshaping how […]

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Construction Blog

End-to-End Guide: PO Invoice Processing in Buildern

Over the years of working with construction teams, I’ve noticed one recurring pain point: purchase orders (POs) and client invoices never move as smoothly as we’d like them to. Some invoices are issued late, while others don’t match the original PO. Sometimes, we may even lose track of commitments made in the field versus what’s […]

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Construction Blog

RFIs Without the Backlog: Digital Workflow Best Practices

Slow request for information (RFI) cycles create real pressure on construction projects. A request that waits too long for a response holds back subcontractors, interrupts schedules, and leaves owners questioning progress. In some cases, one unanswered RFI is enough to stall several trades and trigger disputes that grow into costly claims. I have seen the […]

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Construction Blog

On-Site to Office: Using Mobile App Photos for Real-Time Reporting

One of the biggest risks on any construction project comes from the time it takes for information to travel between the job site and the office. Site crews deal with shifting conditions every day, such as deliveries arriving late, the weather interrupting schedules, or subcontractors facing conflicts in the field. When those updates reach the […]

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Construction Blog

What Is a Construction Takeoff? Complete Guide for General Contractors

How many times have you struggled to estimate a construction project? It’s an unpredictable field, something very similar to shooting in the dark. Material management makes up a huge part of project costs, and missing the mark can quickly throw off both budget and schedule. That’s why construction takeoff is so essential. It allows you […]

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Construction Blog

11 Best Construction Scheduling Software Reviewed [2025 Edition]

Last update August 2025 Struggling to keep your construction projects on schedule and within budget? You’re not alone. With the growing complexity of construction projects, managing schedules, resources, and budgets has become a major challenge for construction managers. Fortunately, there’s a solution: finding a perfect construction scheduling software platform to manage it all. These tools streamline the […]

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Construction Blog

Modern Construction Bidding Process: From Strategy to Submission

What’s the cost of sending out a bid package without knowing whether the numbers will hold up? For many builders, the answer is measured in both money and time, influenced by factors like subcontractor quotes arriving later than expected or vendor pricing changing halfway through estimating. Therefore, the construction bidding process remains one of the […]

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Construction Blog

Buildern vs. Buildertrend | 2025 In-Depth Comparison

Last update August 2025 Choosing the right construction project management software can feel like a project in itself. Builders need tools for estimating, bidding, scheduling, invoicing, and keeping communication on track. Ideally, all of these capabilities should be accessible through a single platform, reducing the need to switch between disconnected systems and helping teams work […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Schedules: How to Create and Manage Them Effectively

Have you ever found yourself knee-deep in a construction project, feeling like you’re juggling a dozen tasks at once? You’ve got teams of workers, materials arriving, and clients eagerly awaiting progress updates. This will be your nightmare without a proper construction schedule. Don’t view project planning as a calendar full of random dates and tasks. […]

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Construction Blog

Why Your Construction Sales Process Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)

Sales breakdowns in construction aren’t always easy to spot. One client drifts away, and another job closes before the contract. Eventually, teams are chasing new leads while open estimates sit untouched. These issues can significantly slow down revenue. Moreover, they can also affect scheduling and cash flow, block job starts, and create confusion across departments. […]

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Construction Blog

10+ Practical Tips on How to Improve Your Construction Efficiency

Every construction team has had a job that looked solid on paper but started falling apart once work began. The materials were late, the trades overlapped, inspections didn’t land on time, and no one could quite explain what happened. Only that the job ran long, and everyone was frustrated by the end. Construction efficiency is […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Budgeting: Complete Blueprint for General Contractors

Published October 5, 2022. Updated August 1, 2025 Construction budgets have always played a critical role in how projects perform. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the level of precision now required to keep jobs on track. A budget today is the framework for your project’s financial health. When done right, it tells your […]

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Construction Blog

What Is Construction Company Software? [Features, Comparisons, and Top Tools]

Construction businesses today aren’t what they used to be a couple of years ago. The operational side of building has grown increasingly complex with all the tight margins, shifting timelines, and subcontractor coordination. And as your projects get bigger or more frequent, keeping everything in sync becomes harder with every passing job. Our guide is […]

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Construction Blog

General Contractor Contract: The Ultimate Guide for USA and Australian Builders

Ask any builder with a few years in the field, and problems don’t usually start on the job site. They start before the job begins, when expectations aren’t written down clearly. A solid general contractor contract helps you avoid all of that. It draws the line between what’s been agreed on and what hasn’t. In […]

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Construction Blog

What is General Contractor Financing for Homeowners? [Types, Benefits, and Builder Tips]

Financing has become a quiet dealbreaker in residential construction. Even motivated clients hesitate when they hit the funding wall. For builders, that’s time spent quoting jobs that never break ground. The solution is to offer clear, accessible financing and construction loan options upfront. When builders understand the tools available and frame them properly, projects move […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Document Control: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right

You’ve seen it happen. One missing permit, and the crew can’t pour. A sub shows up with the wrong version of the plan, and now everyone’s stuck waiting. The issue usually isn’t the work. It’s the paperwork, with all the contracts, drawings, safety documents, inspection forms, etc. Everything’s scattered across inboxes, file folders, or job […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Project Forecasting for Better Budgeting and Scheduling

How often do construction projects go exactly as planned? Delays, budget overruns, and resource misallocations are more common than most teams would like to admit. The root of these issues always lies in neglecting certain aspects of construction project forecasting, leading to inaccurate assumptions and limited visibility into what’s ahead. When forecasting is done right, […]

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Construction Blog

How to Calculate Labor Cost in Construction the Right Way [Key Formulas and Factors]

Ever wrapped up a project only to realize your labor costs ate into your profit more than expected? Builders often find labor as one of the most unpredictable expenses in construction. While managing a small residential remodel or a large-scale commercial build, knowing how to calculate labor cost in construction the right way can mean […]

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Construction Blog

10 Best Construction Project Management Software Reviews for 2025

Setting up your construction business requires the right foundation. From coordinating timelines to managing budgets, every project manager knows the importance of having efficient tools at their disposal. Regardless of the sphere, the right construction project management software has become one of today’s construction industry’s most critical and non-negotiable assets. It’s not about keeping track […]

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Construction Blog

What Is the Schedule of Values (SOV) in Construction: Complete Guide

Ever been stuck waiting on a payment because something got “lost in the paperwork”? Or had a client question a line item on your invoice months into the job? Those are exactly the problems the schedule of values (SOV) solves. For most builders working on larger or bank-financed projects, the SOV acts as a must-have […]

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Construction Blog

What are Construction Draws? Key Processes and Challenges Explained

If you’ve been in construction long enough, chances are you’ve already dealt with construction draws, even if you don’t call them that. It’s one of those terms that pops up around contracts, payments, and bank-financed projects, usually when you’re knee-deep in paperwork or waiting on a bill. Construction draws are a central part of the […]

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Construction Blog

5 Financial Construction KPIs Every Contractor Should Track

What’s the point of doing the work if you don’t know whether it’s actually paying off? This may sound harsh, but as many contractors struggle with performance reviews, it is more than just a rhetorical question. Whether you’re managing one or ten projects, tracking key construction KPIs is what separates profitable businesses from those just […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Accounting Explained: Key Terms, Tools, and Techniques

Construction accounting is a unique branch of accounting that reflects the specific financial needs of contractors and construction companies. It’s not a parallel universe, but it’s worth knowing some important differences between construction-specific accounting and other types of business accounting. The projects are usually larger and more complex than other business ventures. So, the impact […]

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Construction Blog

Top 8 Best Construction Management Software for Small Businesses [+ Real User Reviews]

What’s costing you more: your materials or the hours lost to messy project management? Small construction business owners already know how quickly things can spiral out of control. Between scattered spreadsheets and never-ending job site delays, it’s not just your timeline that suffers, but the whole project’s success. Construction management software for small businesses can […]

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Construction Blog

Best Construction Job Management Software 2025 | Top 5 Picks

Keeping construction on track isn’t easy. Between construction project management, budgeting, and scheduling, there’s a lot to manage and without clear systems in place, things can quickly fall through the cracks. It can all become even worse when miscommunication and unexpected costs start creeping in. Construction job management software helps builders take everything under control […]

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Construction Blog

Top 7 Attention-Worthy Benefits of Construction Management Software (And Why Builders Rely on Them)

Have you ever wondered how much time, money, and stress could be saved if you had a proper system to organize and manage your projects from start to finish? Digitization has been around for a long time, and its influence is inevitable across every industry, including construction. From digital takeoffs to CRM and financial management, […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Job Costing: A Smarter Way to Stay on Budget and Maximize Profits

Ever wondered where all the money goes in construction projects? Our industry doesn’t rely solely on winning bids, but also on how well you manage costs after the contract is signed. From tracking labor and materials to identifying cost overruns before they spiral, construction job costing gives builders the clarity and control they need to […]

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Construction Blog

Complete Guide to Construction Project Management Supremacy

With so many moving parts and multiple stakeholders involved in the construction projects, how does everything stay on track and within budget? The answer lies in professionally implemented construction project management strategies that bring clarity to all activities, such as estimating, planning, collaborating, and managing resources. Without a smooth and well-organized workflow, even the most […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Recruitment 101: Essential Tools and Tips

How often do you find yourself in need of skilled workers for your construction projects? Do you struggle to find reliable and qualified candidates? With labor shortages and high competition for top talent, construction recruitment may become a challenge even for the most resourceful builders. Knowing how to effectively recruit and retain skilled workers is […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Cost Tracking: Tips, Tools, and the Best Practices

Construction cost tracking can feel like a never-ending headache. Missed receipts, unexpected costs, and lack of visibility lead to construction budget overruns. This is a typical scenario for builders who lack strategic tracking practices in their construction projects. However, with the right approach and tools, you can keep your work on budget and stress-free. Table […]

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Construction Blog

FHA Construction Loans: Pros, Cons, Steps, Alternatives, and More

While planning to build a dream from scratch or just remodel the kitchen, financial uncertainty can be a barrier. FHA construction loans might be the solution you’re looking for – but are they the best fit for your construction budget planning? Understanding all the details before signing up for a 30-plus-year mortgage is crucial for […]

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Construction Blog

9 Applications of QR Codes in Construction to Boost Efficiency

Have you ever found yourself juggling with stacks of paper plans on the construction site, only to discover an error or last-minute change that sends you back to the office for yet another printout? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Builders everywhere face the ongoing challenge of managing hard copies on the jobsite, which […]

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News

Simplifying Work in Progress Accounting Adjustment for Builders with Buildern

Accurate financial reporting shouldn’t be a barrier for growing construction firms to thrive. Construction financial specialists always state that understanding and accurately applying the Work in Progress Accounting Adjustment (WIPAA) is crucial for construction companies aiming to maintain a clear and precise picture of their financial health. Neglecting these metrics, home builders operate under false […]

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Construction Blog

Home Construction Loans Explained: Steps, Requirements and More

Last updated August 2025 When planning to build a dream home, understanding the work process with home construction loans is equally crucial for homeowners and builders. Designing and building a house from scratch seems exciting and straightforward on paper – choosing custom finishes, new furniture, and watching your vision take shape. But as soon as […]

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Construction Blog

Bid Leveling in Construction: Steps, Templates, Tools and More

Struggling to make sense of wildly different bids from sub/vendors? Sending out bid requests and waiting for responses to review is only half the job. No two sub/vendors bid the same project the same way, making it challenging for builders to carefully assess each bid and select the one that best suits both their own […]

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Construction Blog

Crafting the Perfect Proposal for Construction Project with Buildern

The proposal is your first impression. It’s your handshake, your business card, and your sales pitch all rolled into a single document. Yet, there is no one-size-fits-all template for winning a proposal for a construction project. So, how do you ensure your proposal stands out and wins you the project? The answer lies in creativity, […]

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Construction Blog

6 Main Construction Billing Methods | Which Is Right for You?

Have you ever considered how the construction billing methods you choose impact the success of your project? Selecting the appropriate billing method is not a decision to be taken lightly. It goes beyond mere preference; it’s about understanding the balance between ensuring timely payments and maintaining the financial health of the project. With this in […]

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Construction Blog

10 Buildertrend Alternatives: Succeed with Similar Software This Year!

Are you looking for a Buildertrend alternative to explore the new depths of construction project management? While it is a popular software in the industry, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone. As the construction market grows alarmingly, the demand for improved technology also rises. That’s why we have compiled a list of […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Taxes 2024: USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada Guide

Are you still struggling to navigate the complex web of construction taxes, uncertain about deductions, credits, and compliance requirements that could impact your bottom line? Lucky for you, we are calling all the builders in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada as we have gathered all the essential information about construction taxes. Save our […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Invoicing: 5 Steps to Get Paid on Time In 2024

Last update February 2024 86% of construction professionals experience stress from slow payments and cash flow problems. This creates a chain reaction of financial hardship for the construction companies, resulting in reduced profits, project delays, etc. But hold on; why should this be the case? Getting your construction invoicing payments on time can be a […]

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Construction Blog

Top 10+ Procore Alternatives to Boost Construction Efficiency

Strap on your hard hat and get ready to unleash a whirlwind of productivity. Those looking to upscale and explore new construction project management alternatives to Procore have finally found a treasure trove of possibilities. The construction industry is evolving, and so should your tools. It’s time to step into the future, where innovation and […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Timesheet: Meeting Deadlines and Budget with Buildern

Ever found yourself scratching your head at the end of the week, wondering where all the time went on your construction project? Construction sites bustle with an array of subcontractors and various crews, each focused on their tasks, ranging from laying foundations to installing electrical systems, all converging to complete the final build. The builder […]

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Construction Blog

7 Superior Houzz Pro Alternatives that Cover What It Lacks

If you’re looking for Houzz Pro alternatives, that’s probably because you’ve realized that even though it is a great tool for home design and remodeling professionals, it may not cover all of your specific needs. Maybe you’re looking for more advanced features or better pricing options. Or maybe the issue is with the simplicity of […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Retainage: Risks and Solutions for General Contractors

Published November 23, 2023. Updated September 22, 2025 The construction industry is a risk-intensive business. Owners have to make sure that their investment is secure while contractors try to maximize their profit margins. Considering the sensitive nature of construction projects, where each party has its own vested interests, each party tries to add security for […]

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Construction Blog

Extensive Guide to Australian Construction Industry Peculiarities 2024!

The Australian construction industry is a vital contributor to the country’s economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue and employing hundreds of thousands of workers. However, the industry also faces its unique challenges and peculiarities that require careful consideration for businesses and individuals operating within it. In this extensive guide to the Australian construction industry, […]

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Construction Blog

5 Top-Notch BuildBook Alternatives for Project Excellence

If you’re navigating the choppy waters of construction project management with BuildBook and finding it falling short, we have a solution for you! Among multiple project management tools, several robust BuildBook alternatives can bring a breeze of simplicity, efficiency, and excellence to your projects. As a relatively simple software solution, BuildBook offers a platform for […]

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Construction Blog

Construction Selection Simplified: 5 Tips to Streamline Your Next Project

Tired of poorly managed construction selections? Struggling with endless back-and-forth communication with clients to finalize choices for multiple places? It’s time to bid farewell to these common construction project management woes! Buildern, a leading-edge construction project management software, is here to revolutionize how you handle your projects. Designed with builders in mind, Buildern streamlines all […]

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Tamara Melkonyan

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