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Managing construction workers and staff isn’t easy. There are many considerations to wrestle with daily and tough economic challenges to overcome.
Improving efficiency at a time of instability is a tall order. After all, last year, the sector was hit with supply shortages and price inflation, which continue to ripple. There is also a labour shortage to contend with. Ultimately, these problems might not be going anywhere anytime soon.
Though contractors are tasked with managing much of this chaos, they’re not without hope. There are still multiple ways they might be able to push forward. Of course, they need the right mindset first, as only a steadfast determination can help them flourish during such a bleak period. They must also remember that they’re not alone and that help is available in their workforce and beyond.
Keep reading for ways contractors can improve efficiency on their next construction development.
Working with Crucial Suppliers
Supply shortages have rocked the construction industry. That said, not all areas are weakened, and strong b2b partnerships are still possible for securing goods.
Contractors should aim to work closely with companies like Hanson, who diligently produce and distribute a range of aggregates for a variety of construction uses. These include pre-cast concrete, concrete production, brick-and-block manufacturing, and asphalt production. They also produce specialist sands for use in horticulture, agriculture, leisure, and glass production.
Delivery methods are also varied with this versatile aggregates supplier. Because it uses water, railways, and roads to distribute its goods, chances of disruption are far less likely. Ultimately, there’s always a way forward when such partnerships are in effect.
By aligning themselves with suppliers with such a diverse workload, contractors can cover more ground in their b2b dealings. Managing resources can be easier when more goods come from fewer places. Contractors may even be able to spend more time on other processes when supplies are so efficiently secured.
Utilising Construction Management Software
Everything comes back to planning for contractors. Their data needs to be sufficiently organised, and only the latest technology can help them realise those aims.
Construction management software can help contractors stay on top of admin and run their development projects more effectively. Costs can be more tightly controlled, contracts can be reviewed, and inventory and equipment data can also be tracked. It gives contractors a holistic overview of all they need to know.
The software can also be incredibly flexible in usage too. It’s traditionally utilised from standard computers, but app versions of these technologies can also be made available. If contractors are particularly mobile in their duties, they can merely swipe their smartphone screens to keep track of the latest data surrounding their construction developments.
Of course, once contractors are suitably informed on their construction developments, things like communication and collaboration can be streamlined and improved. Management software can facilitate this, too, with some iterations allowing the sharing of important files with the press of a button.
Consulting Staff Regularly
Construction management software can improve communication. However, there’s a great deal of work that contractors must do themselves in this regard.
Unfortunately, there is plenty of room for costly mistakes in the construction sector, many of which are well-documented in the media. People almost expect faults to occur with new builds or for construction firms to take hazardous shortcuts, regardless of government regualtions
Consequently, contractors must always have open lines of communication with their colleagues. Every construction worker will have accumulated experience and training, so contractors must request their thoughts and hear their concerns. Even mild suspicions can lead to uncovering major problems, so everyone must be heard out.
Because contractors manage so many projects and crews, some of them can underestimate the proficiency of their workers. Individual problems may seem insignificant compared to large-scale management issues. Still, the devil is in the detail, and potential problems can only be ironed out if teamwork is a priority.
Defining Performance Metrics
An important part of communication is letting workers know where they stand. Construction crews require a sense of direction, and it’s the contractor’s job to provide it.
The quality of the construction should be routinely analysed. Questions should be asked about whether a better finish is possible or if more suitable materials should be used. Investigations around sustainability measures should also be routinely conducted. Defects should be reported and the costs of reworks calculated. Ratios of inspections passed should also be determined.
Contractors can set more basic rules too. For example, showing up to work on time should be noted and rewarded through minor measures. It’s expected, but the construction sector is notorious for setbacks and delays, so any rules contracts can make to counter that should be held in high regard.
Safety measures should also be more rigorously promoted to ensure workers uphold regulations, remain in good health, and stay on task without delay. Meetings around safety must be arranged, and incident rates should be closely analysed. Some of these efforts might seem straightforward, but contractors must address these concerns and provide necessary guidance.