Month: November 2018

With a looming slowing in construction in 2019, its become increasingly important to maximize efficiency to ensure profitable construction projects. Here are some tips from the pros on maximizing profitability in construction.

1. Attract Talent (and keep it!)

You already know it is a tight labor market. Many face limits in how much work they can take on because of staffing limitations. To remain competitive, its suggested to offer better benefits as a part of a strategy to keep talented workers.

2. Go Green

With news and government reports continuing to sound alarm bells about the Earth’s ecosystem, it’s a great time to solidify your “green” construction skills and market those capabilities as a key differentiation. Ecological awareness is growing and business with credibility for green policies are more likely to grow. In construction, smart strategies for handling material waste, resource consumption, and disposal are key. If you can deliver a build that also minimizes environmental impact, all the better.

3. Control Costs

By keeping solid talent you’ll reduce recruitment costs. Smart insurance strategies can maximize protection while lowering costs. Worker Safety programs can keep workers on the job instead of recovering from injury. All of this works together to decrease costs over time.

4. Construct With Modular & Prefab

Modular and prefabricated systems help reduce waste and disposal costs. They can be easier to work with once the systems are understood. While they may be more expensive from a material acquisition perspective, they often reduce labor costs.

Approaching 2019 with a positive attitude and the right strategies can help you gain a competitive edge over the competition. For a complete review of your insurance and benefits reach out to us for assistance. We’ll be glad to help and point you in the right direction.

Contractors invest a lifetime perfecting their craft. Some have shared their best techniques for making build projects better, faster, and more profitable. Here’s a quick rundown of these inside tips from the pros.

Pay Attention to Framing

The majority of homes have imperfections and the older they get, the higher those flaws become. Homes settle and floors and walls begin to curve, slope, or separate. Before making cuts, be sure to review the acceptable tolerances for the lumber you’re working with.

Frames must be straight, so it’s essential to begin with a level foundation. Walls can bow up to 1/4″ vertically for each 8′ area, and 1/4″ horizontally for each 50′ area without compromising structural integrity.

The frames in a house support plumbing, electrical, HVAC setup and more. An accurately-installed structure will assist make following projects much easier to complete.

Work With Solid Lumber

Lumber varies by seller, batch, and tree. When picking the lumber for framing, search for long lasting and straight boards. Curved, bowed, or “imperfect” boards will produce a weak or imbalanced foundation from the start. Cabinets, walls, and doors require straight walls to work properly. Choosing the best wood, at the beginning, will help the whole construction job.

Subfloor Prep

Installing a stable subfloor can assist with creating a level surface area, yet the glue can be untidy and challenging to work with. To set up subflooring without the mess, carefully lower subfloor with a garden digging tool.

Be Insured & Bonded!

With any building job, selecting the right products and tools helps. Before tackling a building and construction project, make sure your company and the project have insurance and bonds in place to protect yourself from unforeseen events that can get in the way of completing a project. Also constantly emphasize the best safety practices with your team.