Building A More Efficient Construction Firm: 10 Tips For Streamlined Success

Pixabay CC0 License

Whether starting a new business in the construction sector or looking to take your existing firm to the next level doesn’t matter. Efficiency must be a priority.

Streamlining is essential in all business sectors. But it takes on an even greater significance in construction. An efficient operation should be positioned to take on more projects, build a better reputation, and see larger profits. 

Here’s how you can take efficiency to the next level in just 10 simple steps.

#1. Assemble a great team

A strong workforce is the greatest asset at any construction firm’s disposal. It is likely that you will have a combination of permanent employees and outsourced services. A network of laborers to be hired by the day is also a useful resource. Ultimately, every person who works for your company must represent it well.

Knowing that all workers have the personalities and work ethic to thrive is vital. After all, just a small number of employees can put an entire project under serious strain. For the sake of individual and collective outputs, you need a team you can trust. This covers architects, builders, admin, marketing, surveyors, and more.

The work provided by employees and outsourced teams sets the tone for your entire company. Get this under control to establish a foundation for success.

#2. Use modern tech to avoid admin delays

It’s the oldest cliche in the book but time is money. Delays are even more costly when working in construction. It could result in having to give the client a discount for missing the deadline. Meanwhile, you will still need to pay employees and contractors for their added time. As such, cutting out delays must be a priority. 

Dedicated platforms like BuildOps CRM are particularly important. By simplifying approvals processes and streamlining the process of closing deals will serve you very well. The fact that it can aid your ongoing sales performances and client satisfaction should only incentivize you further. 

Other project management tools and systems that allow employees to show their initiative can do wonders too. Both on-site and in the office.

#3. Embrace clear communication between teams

Preventing delays is largely reliant on clear communication. However, the desire to facilitate clear and responsive connections should extend to all aspects of the business. It will help cultivate an atmosphere where employees feel confident about where things stand. Likewise, the likelihood of costly human errors will be greatly reduced. 

Clear communication can be facilitated by a host of tech features like video conferencing and instant messaging apps. However, it’s equally important to use team-building exercises. It’s something that many construction firms overlook. In reality, though, ensuring that on-site workers are comfortable and confident with each other makes a huge difference.

This way, any mistakes that occur at any stage of the project can be identified and corrected quickly. Frankly, it’s the least that you deserve.

#4. Know you niche

As a construction company, finding your niche is an essential part of the branding and marketing process. Working in real estate development could be very different from government contracts and public sector work. Similarly, civil engineering would look vastly different from building a commercial store on behalf of a business.

Knowing your place in the market is crucial for many reasons. For starters, it’ll allow you to focus purchases on equipment that you actually need. Meanwhile, you’ll find it far easier to build an SEO strategy in your field. On a similar note, your marketing campaigns will be tailored to prospective clients that fall into your target market.

Aside from saving you money on marketing, it’ll be easier to build a solid reputation for a defined niche. Perfect.

#5. Protect your assets

When running a construction company, you will naturally work with some very valuable assets. Tools, machinery, and materials are all needed to bring a project together. When working on large projects, such as civil engineering jobs, the assets are likely to be worth millions. Naturally, you cannot afford to let them go to waste.

Protecting your assets takes many forms. Securing your warehouse or other business premises will be a vital first step. Meanwhile, you should be eager to take out the necessary insurance coverage. When working with heavy machinery and equipment, it’s equally vital to conduct maintenance. Responsive action will prevent unscheduled downtime. Always buy construction machinery from reliable sources only, such as Boom & Bucket.

A proactive approach will save you time and money in the long run. As such your construction company will be considered far more efficient.

#6. Consider rentals

Given the value of the resources needed to run a successful construction company, cash flow can be a major issue. This is particularly true in the early phases of managing the business but is a key factor for the long haul too. Therefore, you may find that rental agreements are often better than purchasing goods.

It allows you to avoid the outlay needed to purchase, store, and maintain the equipment. It also means you will always have access to the latest resources rather than run the risk of seeing your assets become outdated. Experts like Thornton Equipment can subsequently make a world of difference to your business. Financially, logistically, and emotionally. 

As long as the equipment and services provided are reliable, it’s one less item to worry about. In turn, your teams can focus on efficient daily operations.

#7. Invest in your team

When you are the owner of a construction business, it’s important to accept that your role is limited. You can only complete a certain level of work with one pair of hands. However, simply assembling a strong workforce isn’t enough on its own. You must continue to work on their development to ensure that your business stays ahead of the game. 

Firstly, construction courses ensure that workers have the skills and knowledge to thrive. This covers everything from using the latest tools and machinery to understanding modern tactics. The industry is constantly evolving. Staying ahead of the curve allows you to deliver faster results. Meanwhile, the growing capabilities of automation reduce errors.

For the best results, you must also ensure that all workers provide a friendly and transparent service. It has a telling influence on overall client satisfaction levels.

#8. Utilize tech to reduce material waste

Pixabay CC0 License 

Modern tech helps construction businesses in many ways, not least by doing things that humans can’t. For example, this could mean lifting and relocating heavy parts. Perhaps more importantly, at least from a perspective of efficiency, it can reduce material waste. This is due to ideas like accurate cutting and automated weighing.

Reducing material waste means you’ll spend less money on materials. It also removes the threat of being left with too little for the project. Similarly, it feeds perfectly into your desire to run a more eco-friendly business. Given that clients actively want to work with greener companies too, this is an immensely important factor.

Virtually any automated machine will help you do this. Meanwhile, you can often find that modern materials and mixing allow you to produce great results with fewer resources.

#9. Prepare to reject some proposed projects

As a business, your goal is to make as much money as possible. Naturally, then, you will be tempted to take on every project possible. However, bidding for contracts that are only worth a few thousand dollars could spell disaster if it stands in the way of a project worth millions. If your resources are limited, you must act tactically.

Perhaps the most important issue is to stay active. If your construction business is a startup, you may find that teaming up with another company is immensely useful too. This may allow you to take on more significant jobs or complete smaller projects faster. By keeping your schedule busy, you should be certain to see a decent level of profit.

Nonetheless, while saying no to some projects may feel counterintuitive, it is vital. Or at the very least, you’ll want to negotiate a higher price.

#10. Provide the best work

Last but not least, the best way to build an efficient construction company is to produce great work. Once you do, there will be far fewer amendments to make or discounts to offer due to poor client satisfaction. Moreover, quality services will see clients stay loyal to your construction firm or recommend it to friends and relatives. 

When combined with the other steps mentioned above, your firm will be built for success.

 

---

Also published on Medium.