Keeping Your Construction Business Running Smoothly

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There will be times when you can't be there. So you need to keep your construction business running and on point. Fortunately, with some forethought and planning, nothing is impossible.

Make Sure a Project Can Always Continue
As a busy construction manager or owner, you can't always be at each of your sites all the time. So you need to come up with ways to ensure the project can continue when you aren't there to put out fires. Many things can go wrong, such as delivery issues, regulatory incidents and employee absence. But suppose you hold the key to a vital digger, then a dig cannot continue when you're away. So you need either access to more diggers. Which could be a logistical nightmare. A better alternative would be a set of master keys for all machinery in the office.

Delegate Key Tasks to Qualified Employees
Delegation is a key skill that will help your employees carry on with their job when you aren't there. It's best to position qualified key personnel in strategic positions to oversee a project when you cannot attend. And if your business is even a little successful, it's likely you move around from site to site often. However, delegation isn't as simple as just appointing someone. You need to clearly communicate what needs to be done. Ensure they are responsible enough. And extra provide training if necessary, such as using collaboration and management software.

Build Good Relationships with Suppliers
Most construction companies rely on a good working relationship with suppliers. Suppliers are like the backbone of most industries. A bad relationship with a supplier doesn't mean they will destroy you. But they aren't likely to do you any favours. Here are some tips:

• Understand their needs too, and always stick to any agreed-upon arrangements.
• Never withhold money or payments over something trivial.
• Keep in touch and try to use the suppliers as much as possible.
  
  

It's also a good idea to use contracts. However, some suppliers work on the basis of a "gentleman's agreement", and a handshake can seal the deal. For this reason, it's best to work closely with suppliers since, without a contract, you have no way of proving your case.

Work with the Client on a Plan
Whatever the project, whether you're working on a private dwelling, a government building or a commercial hub, you work for the client. Therefore, you must be open to their needs and what they want. Of course, you can assist the client as much as possible by offering your professional opinions on what can and cannot be done. After all, the client isn't the construction expert. It is helpful to work with the client and brief them on things like project milestones, the best time to do a specific job and when they can safely inspect the site. That one is essential.

Schedule Work Around Potential Interruptions
No job goes without bumps in the road. And no matter the project, there will always be hiccups such as supply issues, adverse weather and even public interest such as protests. But the difference between a project that fails and one that succeeds is how you plan for and handle interruptions. As you know, time is money, so a project must never stop. For instance, a shipment of roofing panels may be delayed. In that case, assign tasks to install support beams ready for when they arrive. Or, if the weather is bad, work on safer indoor functions.

Summary
Keep your construction business running with master keys for machinery, maintain good relationships with suppliers and always plan for working around interruptions.