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Most Popular Commercial Roofs and Roofing Materials

2/3/2021

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Every commercial building needs to have the latest upgrades to achieve exceptional functionality—one part of the building you need to keep an eye out for frequently is the roof. While you may think it’s merely a roof, you should remember that it protects the people inside your building. Moreover, modern roofs nowadays can do more than protect everyone inside from outside elements. 

If you are working in the construction industry, you need to know the different commercial roofs you can install for your projects. Each roof can provide specific advantages that will suit your needs, but they have the same role: to protect your building’s interior. It would be best if you knew about them to know what roof type the contractors should use for the construction project. 

1. Metal Roofing
The first roof type that you may have seen everywhere is metal roofing. Metal roofing is a popular choice for residential and commercial buildings because they are affordable and relatively easy to install by roofing contractors. However, metal roofing has variations because manufacturers mix other metals to create another type. Here are several examples of metal materials for roofing:

  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Tin
  • Stone-coated steel
  • Lead
  • Metal tile sheets
  • Aggregates 

While using metal roofing is cheap, you should know that it’s susceptible to rust, especially when exposed to prolonged weather elements such as rain, snow, and heat. But what makes metal roofing the best option for some commercial building owners is its attractive, finished look. Another benefit of it is that it’s fire-resistant, so you won’t have to fret about your roof catching on fire anytime soon. If you want a durable roof than most traditional commercial roofing choices, you should choose metal roofing.
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​2. Membrane Roofing 
Another commercial roofing type you might want to install is membrane roofing, also known as flat roofing. You can find that most commercial and industrial buildings have membrane roofing because of its many benefits. It comprises multiple layers of different roofing materials, but nowadays, you can find single-ply membranes. 

The reason most buildings have membrane roofing is that it’s relatively easy to install, ensuring you get to enjoy your new roofing at a moment’s notice. Another great thing about it is the lost-cost maintenance. For other roofing options, you might need to spend extra dollars to get it fixed or maintained.

3. Modified Bitumen (MB) Roofing
The modified bitumen roofing is closely related to the Built-Up Roof (BUR), and it is asphalt-based roofing material. Roofing contractors would specifically install it for commercial buildings with a flat roof surface. In most cases, roofing contractors install MB roofing systems to rooftops as a two-ply system, stuck to the roofing deck for maximal protection and stability. 

Like with the membrane roofing, you only need minimal maintenance for the MB roofing, and you can easily have maintenance personnel clean by washing. They provide maximum tensile strength than other flat roof types that sustain heavy foot traffic. If you have people visiting and walking on the roof most of the time, you should choose MB roofing as your roofing material. 

During maintenance season, you should install a roof hatch on your building to provide easy access to the roof. Most facilities install it because roofing contractors and maintenance personnel don’t need to prop a ladder to the building’s side. All they need is to go to the top floor, climb up the ladder, and go through the roof hatch. If you want to learn more about it, visit Best Roof Hatches’ website today!

Author Bio: Best Roof Hatches is a trusted supplier for your roof hatches needs or for any commercial construction roofing project. For more inquiries or more help, visit our website.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Repairing construction defects properly

18/2/2021

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Have you had to go back to a project long after completion to fix something?

Was it easy?

Did it cost money?
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Did you enjoy it?

Covering up defective construction

Often Contractors turn a blind eye to potential quality problems.

Mistakes get covered up by dirt, concrete, sheeting and paving. Hopefully never to be found by the Client, or anyone else in the future.

Some Construction Project Managers are adept at walking Architects, the Client and Quality Inspectors past poor quality. It’s sometimes easy to distract the person and get them to look elsewhere, or temporarily block the offending work from view.

Some Contractors even carry out clandestine operations after hours to quickly ‘patch’, or hide, defective construction work.

Unfortunately often these defects manifest themselves later – sometimes with devastating consequences with loss of life such as collapsed buildings.  
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The cost of ignoring building defects

Contractors are usually responsible for repairing visible construction defects for a period of 3 to 12 months after the construction project has been completed. But defects that have been hidden, will have to be repaired by the Contractor when these problems eventually become visible. Usually Contractors are liable for these defects up to 5 to 10 years after the construction project is completed, and in some jurisdictions they’re even liable for ever. Would you like to be called back to repair a defect 5 years after the construction project has been completed? Of course not!

But Contractors regularly hide defective construction work. Damaged pipes are covered over with ground. When the leak is eventually noticed the area could be covered by paving, or if it’s under the house then by concrete floor slabs, carpets and more. Repairing a simple cracked pipe could cost thousands when finished floors have to be ripped up inside someone’s house – compared to a few dollars if it’s fixed during construction. But sometimes the problem causes even more damage, think of a roof leak. Water from the roof could enter the house and damage ceilings, cupboards and even furniture. A simple construction defect can cost thousands to fix later. It also reflects poorly on the Contractor’s reputation.
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It’s therefore imperative that construction defects are repaired properly when they are first noticed so that they don’t cause a bigger problem later. Don't wait for the Architect or Engineer to notice the problem. Defects should be repaired as soon as possible while they’re still easily accessible. Waiting until the end of the project may result in other completed work being damaged when the defect is repaired, and access may be more difficult. In addition, the skills and the materials required to fix the problem may no longer be available on the construction project and they’ll have to be brought back to the project at additional cost.
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Quality problems must be fixed properly 

​It’s sometimes tempting just to patch over poor quality construction work and quickly cover it up. But will the problem actually be fixed, or will it manifest itself later, maybe even after the project is completed.

Next time you try and cover-up, patch, or hide poor-quality construction work and defects, consider the consequences of your action. The problem may very well come to bite you later, costing your company additional money and impacting your reputation.

Rather take the time to do the task properly. Be proud of your completed work.
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Mistakes will happen, but make sure they are fixed properly so there aren’t problems in the future
Other Useful articles:
Does anyone give a …. anymore?
The true costs of poor quality construction
How we can improve quality in construction
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​This article is an extract from the book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman'.
​
© 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Protecting Completed Construction Work

11/2/2021

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Image courtesy of radnatt at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Would you like your hard work damaged by others? Would you like to redo your work because someone was careless and messed it up? Of course not! Yet, frequently completed work is damaged on construction projects. This results in additional work to repair the damage, which causes added costs, resources being diverted from other tasks, delays, and sometimes, even the client getting a product that’s flawed or has an imperfection, which results in problems later.

Protecting completed work starts by instilling in your construction team, subcontractors and others working on the construction project, that it’s essential to take care of completed work. This can be discussed in inductions, team talks and briefings. It’s essential to speak out when careless workers are noticed. Everyone must respect the work of others.

Of course it’s impossible to protect everything, but where possible surfaces that can easily be scratched or damaged should be covered by timber, cardboard and other materials. Some products arrive in plastic wrappings or are already taped, and these wrappings can be left in place where possible until the section is ready for handover.

​Fresh work that can easily be damaged, like newly painted surfaced, recently laid tiles and products that haven’t gained full strength, should be cordoned off.

Set the standards from the start of the construction project. If people take care from the beginning, not just dropping stuff on the ground, bashing items, etc, then it’s instilled in their behaviour so they’re less likely to damage sensitive finishes later in the project. 
​Other Useful articles:
​How important is quality on your project
Repairing defective work on your construction project
How we can improve quality in construction

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​This article is an extract from the book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman'.
​
© 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Construction Equipment Productivity Part 2

2/2/2021

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In our previous article Construction Equipment Productivity  we discussed how we can improve the productivity of construction equipment on our construction projects. We talked about selecting the right size machines, the importance of using skilled operators, balancing equipment that is working in teams and how one item can drag down the productivity of the other equipment working in the team, and then we discussed how faulty and old equipment can disrupt the project and impact productivity.

​In this article we discuss other ways to improve construction equipment productivity.

Positioning Construction Equipment

The loading times of the excavator is also impacted by the hardness of the ground. Soft ground is easily scooped up, while hard ground takes additional effort. A more powerful excavator will dig harder ground quicker.

​The position of the excavator relative to where it scoops the ground and to where it dumps it on the truck will impact the loading time. Every time the excavator must rotate from the scoop location to the load location involves time. The most efficient loading position is where the excavator can scoop ground and tip it straight into the truck. When the truck is parked behind the excavator then the excavator must continuously rotate through 180 degrees from the scoop to load position. Carefully consider where trucks will stand when they’re loaded, and how easily they can move in and out of that position. Correctly positioning the truck and planning the excavation operation could easily cut one or two minutes off every loading cycle, which could increase efficiencies by 20%, possibly even meaning the operation can be done with one less truck. Just think how much money can be saved in a day with one less truck.
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Image courtesy of J Neto

Servicing and Refuelling Equipment

Another problem occurs when equipment has to be refuelled or serviced. Refuelling or servicing an excavator in the middle of a shift means that the machine must be stopped. Again this means that all the equipment working with the excavator stops. So 15 minutes stopping the excavator is usually 15 minutes when the other equipment doesn’t work. Servicing and refuelling key equipment, like excavators, after hours may result in additional cost for the service team, but it could result in better productivity. Just consider, I said in the previous article Construction Equipment Productivity that equipment might only work 7 hours in a day. So losing 15 minutes reduces productivity by another 4%. 

Other Factors

Compacting ground/soil requires water. If there’s insufficient water then the compaction will happen slower and all the equipment will operate less efficiently. We had a project where the client had to supply the water, but they couldn’t supply the required quantities and nor was the water available at the location specified in the contract. This not only reduced the productivity of our equipment, but it also delayed the project resulting in us lodging a claim for millions of dollars against our client.
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Cranes

But, it’s not just about the productivity of earthmoving equipment. It includes planning the size of cranes, deciding the best position for the crane, carefully thinking how the crane will pick up materials and where they’ll be placed in position.

Again using skilled operators will make the operations safer and faster.

​Cranes have their lifting cables running through reeve blocks. This allows the crane to lift a heavier load. If the lifting cable passes twice through the lifting block the crane cable is in effect doubled and can lift double the load of a single cable. The problem is that the crane cable must travel double the distance when lifting the load than if it was a single cable, so it slows the lifting operation, which is not normally a problem when lifting a heavy load. Sometimes the crane lifting cable passes through the lifting reeve blocks several times and there’s 4 or 6 lifting lines connecting the crane hook to the crane. This is required when lifting heavy loads and it’s essential when loads must be precisely fitted into position and slow manoeuvring is required. But, it slows the lifting of repetitive and light items. Changing the number of reeves or lifting loops connecting the crane to the lifting hook can dramatically increase the speed the crane lifts objects – of course this should be done with the permission of the crane operator or an expert that understands the lifting capacity of the crane’s lifting cable and it will have to be changed back for heavy loads.
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Image by VViktor from Pixabay

Good Planning and Instructions

​Often moving equipment from one location and setting it up in another location is time consuming and results in zero production in that time. Planning these moves so that they happen quickly will improve productivity. So always ensure that the work areas are ready and clear of obstructions ahead of the time. Give operators clear instructions as to what must be done and the best position for the equipment to maximise productivity.

Improving Productivity of Construction Equipment

Equipment used badly can be dangerous and expensive, but the right item used by a good operator makes construction easy and efficient.

Often construction equipment on projects is unproductive, machines stand idle and equipment is not used efficiently. Equipment costs can make up a large portion of the costs on a construction project - particularly earthmoving and road projects where equipment costs could account for 30 to 50% of the costs. So even improving productivity by 5% could add an extra 2.5% of profits. But improved equipment productivity brings other benefits, such as operators are more productive, less fuel is consumed by the machines, the project can be completed sooner, and other operations become more efficient and productive.

It is worth spending the time to analyse how the construction equipment is being used on your construction equipment. See how productivity can be improved. Often it takes only a few small adjustments to make significant improvements.

Other Useful articles:
Construction productivity
How to improve construction productivity

​Is your construction project losing money? Do you want to find out why? 
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​This article is an extract from the book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman'.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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The golden rules for working overtime in construction

27/1/2021

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Image courtesy of bplanet at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
In our last article Is overtime crushing your construction project?  we discussed the cost of working overtime in construction. 

Often construction managers get into the habit of working extended hours, which adds to the cost of construction, and causes other problems, including accidents and family issues. As we stated though, some workers also get into the habit of relying on extra pay earned from working overtime.

Overall working overtime should be discouraged as the costs often far outweigh any benefits to the project. Careful planning and employing a few extra resources can often eliminate the need to work overtime on your construction project.

However, we all know that sometimes working extra and extended shifts on construction projects is unavoidable. Even the most well planned construction project can get into trouble and need additional time. Some tasks may have to be done afterhours when the project or the area is less congested. 
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In fact, a few extra hours working a critical trade could make a big difference to the project's overall schedule

The golden rules for working overtime

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Image by skeeze from Pixabay
When it is necessary for work to happen after hours on your construction project you can ensure that workers are productive, costs are kept to the minimum, that work is done safely, and that the required tasks are completed by following a few simple rules.
  • Ensure there is sufficient supervision in the field.
  • To prevent fatigue the same workers should not work extended hours repeatedly. 
  • Control time keeping so that only those present are logged in, and as soon as they leave the project they are logged out.
  • Ensure critical people are present – Crane Operators, etc. It is a waste if the crew is left standing and cannot complete their task because a critical person is absent.
  • Only work those that are required. It's usually not necessary to have the whole crew work longer. Keep it to those essential to complete the critical tasks only.
  • Ensure equipment and materials are available.
  • Check that there is adequate lighting for night work. A lack of lighting reduces productivity, is dangerous, and it could negatively impact quality.
  • First-aid kits and emergency phones must be available in case of accidents.
  • Work should not annoy neighbours, it will harm reputation and I'm sure your boss does not want to face a tirade when an angry neighbour calls him because they were unable to sleep the previous night, or they had their weekend family barbecue ruined by noisy work. Make sure that workers leaving the project late are considerate of neighbours and don't shout loudly in the street or rev vehicle engines when they leave the project late at night.
  • Ensure working afterhours is allowed. Some cities prohibit after hours construction work, while others may require special permits.
  • Inform the Client.
  • Mechanics should be available in case equipment fails.
  • When there is shift work on the same task then there must be a proper handover between supervisors for the next shift.
  • Arrangements should be in place for transport and the project must be accessible.

Conclusion

Projects should not get in the habit of working overtime.
Controlled and limited overtime work can sometimes be beneficial.
Always consider whether employing extra resources would be a more cost effective solution to working extended hours.
Other useful articles
​
Will your construction project be 100% complete when it's finished?
Are you employing the right people on your construction project?
​​How much is your brand worth? Why a good brand is vital for construction companies.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Is overtime crushing your construction project?

19/1/2021

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Image by s m anamul rezwan from Pixabay

Costs of construction overtime

​People working overtime are usually paid 50%, or even double their normal rates. Are they 50 to a 100% more productive? Definitely not. In fact they’re probably less productive. Manual work is physically exhausting. Even operating a machine for extended hours is tiring. I found that production after working 9 hours fell dramatically. Working an extra hour possibly only yielded an additional half hour’s production. In effect the company is paying an hour for half and hour’s work – or double time. Add the premium for overtime and it becomes a very expensive additional half hour’s work.
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But overtime can become even more expensive. Often overtime isn’t controlled properly. So people say they’ve worked the extra hours (and are paid the time) but they haven’t. Workers are often not supervised properly after hours, workers slack off, or they’re left waiting for instruction, so productivity is lower. Sometimes key workers, perhaps like a crane operator, aren’t there, which means that other workers can’t operate effectively. When equipment breaks down afterhours there often isn’t anyone available to repair the items, and without the item the team can’t work properly.

Problem of working excessive hours on construction projects

Sometimes workers enjoy working overtime to earn the additional overtime rates. But, to compensate they may take another day as a rest day, so they work the same hours, but some hours are paid at the higher overtime rate. On the days when they’re absent it impacts the efficiencies of their team – especially if they’re a critical component.
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Working excessive overtime can lead to tiredness and result in mistakes and even accidents.
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Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay

The right balance on construction projects

Unfortunately some projects get into a routine of working overtime. Those are the hours that were worked on the last project, or those are the hours that were instituted at the start of the project. In fact, some workers become used to earning the additional wages earned from working overtime so they even object when the overtime hours are cut.
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Often employing a couple of extra people and hiring additional equipment will negate the need to work overtime and it will be cheaper than working the additional hours.

Sometimes overtime is essential to catch up lost time, or to complete a critical task, but it might not be required that the whole project works extra hours. Check who should work overtime, ensure only those workers stay longer. Then ensure that they will have all the necessary support services and supervision so that they can work efficiently and safely.  
Other useful articles
planning your construction project
labour productivity on construction sites
Will your construction project be completed on schedule? Read this
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​This article is an extract from the book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman'.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Common Winter Construction Safety Issues

12/1/2021

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​Winter is usually considered the off-season for construction, but a savvy crew can still complete plenty of work when the temperature drops. Working in cold weather presents its own challenges. What are the most common construction safety issues, and what can you do to prevent or mitigate them?

Dealing With Snow and Ice

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​One of the most obvious hazards of construction work in winter is the accumulation of snow and ice. In addition to being cold, this buildup can create traction issues and slip-and-fall accidents for both team members and equipment. Before each day, take the time to inspect the job site. Be on the lookout for snow or ice buildup. Footpaths and areas that get a lot of traffic — pedestrian or otherwise — should be covered with salt or kitty litter to provide traction and melt the ice.
 
Excessive ice buildup should be chipped away or otherwise removed to prevent it from causing bigger issues in the future. 

Protecting Construction Equipment From Cold Weather

​Human crew members aren’t the only ones at risk in cold temperatures. You’ll also need to take steps to protect your construction equipment, especially if you don’t normally operate during the winter months.
 
Start by carrying out some winter-centric maintenance — double-checking things like tire inflation and fluid levels. Ensure your antifreeze is up to the task, especially if you’ve been topping off the radiator with water during the summer. If you’re not sure, or you don’t have a hydrometer on hand to test, flushing and refilling the cooling system is your best option.

Pouring Concrete in Cold Temperatures

​Cool and dry weather isn’t necessarily a bad thing for curing concrete, but once you drop below a certain temperature, it can prevent it from hardening to its full strength. If you’re pouring concrete in the depths of winter, look into tools for keeping your pour warm and dry while you wait for it to cure. Concrete blankets can be incredibly affordable and can let you keep working through the season.

Keeping Your Construction Crew Safe

​Humans can adapt to most environments, but we need tools to protect us from the elements. Frostbite and exposure to the elements are major concerns for teams working in cold weather. Ensure that everyone is property attired before they come onto the job site in the morning. Provide them with heated tents or offices where they can get out of the elements for breaks or lunches, and encourage your team to take frequent breaks throughout the day. 

Staying Warm in Winter

​Wintertime doesn't have to cause projects to grind to a halt. You just need to make sure everyone is ready to work outdoors when the temperature starts to drop. Maintenance, preparation and a few extra tools can make all the difference, especially if you live or work in an area that’s prone to extreme cold during the winter. Construction can continue and deadlines can be met despite the challenges of the season.
Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. ​
Other Useful Articles
How To Select The Appropriate Construction Method To Increase Safety And Efficiency
Top Safety Concerns on Construction Sites - And How to Avoid Them
Construction projects and high temperatures - do you know the risks?
Why Safety Is Important On Your Construction Project

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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The Contractor's Guide To Construction During COVID-19

5/1/2021

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​COVID-19 has caused havoc in the construction industry

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Image by Alexey Hulsov from Pixabay
Builders need to change the way they operate and manage construction projects to secure their long-term success.

With coronavirus cases on the rise again in the UK, America, Europe and many other countries, certain restrictions have been reintroduced across nations. The construction industry will continue to operate, but now more than ever standards of health and safety need to be enforced to reduce the rate and risk of infection.

The question that contractors are facing is how to balance keeping their workforce healthy while continuing to operate to maintain economic security. As more research is conducted into covid-19, authorities have published advice calling for work to resume as long as all recommended precautions can be enforced.
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Read on to learn more builders’ guidelines for work in the time of COVID-19.

Get everyone in your construction team involved

​Employee education and communication are essential tools for fighting this viral pandemic. Your construction teams should be kept updated about the latest COVID-19 facts, including how the germs can be spread.

The rationale behind protocols and how they could help prevent covid-19 infection should be clearly explained and repeated regularly to keep facts fresh in employees’ minds. Posters with the same details should be posted in portable toilets and common areas for the same reason.

Specific time slots within working hours should be allocated for these information sessions. If workers are concerned that the time spent learning about the virus will be docked from their wages they might not take in or understand the information they’re presented with.

Keeping your construction crews in the loop will have the added benefit of maintaining a sense of community and camaraderie. Each worker will feel they’re part of a team and be more likely to voice concerns and let their supervisors know about potential problems.
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If there’s a feeling that everyone is in this together, someone who feels ill won’t be worried about losing their job and will inform their co-workers immediately – lessening the chance of an outbreak among staff.

​Don't forget to include all your subcontractors, they are vital to the success of your construction project and keeping it covid-19 safe.

Follow covid-19 guidelines

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Image by Annalise Batista from Pixabay
​While the advised measures from the United Kingdom’s government don’t quite stretch to modular walk-through anti-virus stations, they’re impressively thorough and comprehensive. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy issued specific regulations for construction and other outdoor work, and the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published its own suggestions. They’re presented here, along with various additional measures that many operators in the United Kingdom have decided to adopt.

●       The guidelines stipulate that anyone who feels ill, has a temperature or is coughing should either stay home or go home as soon as these symptoms develop.
 ●       Face coverings should be worn over the nose and mouth on public transport and in enclosed spaces. At the same time, touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth should be avoided wherever possible.
 ●       When eating, workers should wash their hands after removing their face coverings but before touching their food. Food and drink shouldn’t be shared with anyone during this time.
 ●       Similarly, implementing a “no handshake” policy is a good idea. Soap, running water and disposable hand towels should be provided at several strategic locations on building sites.
 ●       Anyone arriving on a site ought to be given hand sanitiser. Used tissues should be thrown into a rubbish bin that’s been designated for that specific purpose.
 ●       While temperature screenings are not mandatory, several companies are enforcing them.
 ●       Appropriate social distancing (at least 1 metre and preferably 2 metres between each person) must be maintained.

As an added precaution, some construction companies have begun disinfecting high-touch, shared areas on a daily basis. Such areas include scaffolding, breakrooms, shared tools, crew vehicles’ steering wheels, gear sticks and door handles and bathroom facilities.

Shifts should be staggered between different tradespeople and even different groups of the same type of workers to prevent large gatherings on your construction project.

Meeting size should be restricted, and weather permitting, held in the open air whenever possible. Individuals who are especially at risk of infection, such as those with diabetes or other chronic diseases, should work from home if they can.
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Video calls should replace site inspections and face-to-face appointments unless in-person meetings are absolutely essential. This includes home visits and discussions with clients; email, telephone calls and video communications or even text messages are strongly recommended.

Plan Ahead for Project Changes

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Image by Queven from Pixabay
​It’s important to remember that the fallout from COVID-19 will be huge and to expect and plan for this on your construction project wherever possible.

Projects will take longer to complete as staff education, sanitising procedures, absences due to self-isolation and team staggering all eat into building schedules. Additionally, masks, hand sanitiser, posters and other educational equipment all cost extra funds that could drain resources.

That’s before the impact of smaller meetings and reduced face-to-face contact have even been considered.
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Every decision will be delayed slightly because discussions won’t be able to flow as freely with as many people, which could ramp up costs and timeframes considerably.
Additionally, some instances cannot be planned for – such as subcontractors not being properly educated on the virus and thus transmitting the disease to an otherwise COVID-free building site.

Adjust Project Parameters

​Every construction project is unique, and the required health and safety measures will differ from job to job. The requirements for fitting doors and windows won’t be the same as those needed for a full-scale house build or roadworks.
 
The best course of action employers and workers can take would be to evaluate their specific construction projects and then enforce and maintain all possible precautions. Reviewing the situation regularly as your construction project develops, additional restrictions are imposed or new information about COVID-19 is learned, is also an excellent idea.

The pandemic will cause financial losses and it will take time for the global economy to recover. But overwhelming as it might feel, everyone is in the same situation. The only real option is to work together to weather the storm.
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There’s never been a more appropriate time to stick to the good old British motto: Keep calm and carry on!
Author Bio: With a background in project management and a love for writing, Mara Sampson is an editor for Build World, the UK’s top builder’s merchant and build material supplier.
Other useful articles:
Force Majeure In Construction Contracts: Tips And Traps
Prepare your construction project for covid-19 lockdown
What will you do if you are quarantined?
Who is responsible for safety on your construction project?

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

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​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Become a Better Contractor in 2021 By Asking These 10 Questions

31/12/2020

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10 Questions to ask that will make you a better Contractor

  1. Am I proud of this work? Is this the standard that the Client will accept?
  2. Is this safe?
  3. Is there another way of doing this which could be safer or smarter?
  4. Will we be paid for this? Is this included in our contract price?
  5. Have we been paid? When will we be paid?
  6. Have you checked? Is this correct?
  7. Do you understand? Do you know what you have to do?
  8. What are the consequences of our action (or lack of action)? Will there be knock-on impacts on other activities?
  9. Is this the right (best) solution to the problem? What’s the cause of the problem? Are we only treating the symptom or are we actually treating the root cause of the problem?
  10. What are the risks? Have we mitigated the risks? Do we understand the risks?
Take a little extra time to ask these questions and your projects will be completed safely, with good quality, more productively and quicker.

Other Useful Construction Articles

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Who is responsible for safety on your construction project?
Who is responsible for quality on your construction project?
The 10 P’s of successful construction project management
Are you working for free on your construction project?

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

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Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Construction Equipment Productivity

23/12/2020

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Productivity on construction projects is often low. We frequently see people and equipment standing idle on construction projects. There is also often rework on projects, with tasks having to be redone because of poor quality, or even because tasks were done out of sequence before previous tasks had been completed.

We discussed productivity in our previous articles Construction productivity  and How to improve construction productivity Even small productivity improvements, better use and utilisation of resources, can dramatically add to an increase in profits on your construction project.
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​In this article we look at how you can improve productivity of your construction equipment.

Improving productivity of construction equipment

​Equipment is often hired or rented. Even equipment owned by the company is usually hired or rented by the project. The rental is per hour or day. But even equipment that’s rented per hour has to be paid a minimum number of hours per day – usually 8 to 9 hours.
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Equipment is never more productive than the operators. So, as discussed previously, many projects only get 7 hours production from their workers in a 10 hour day. Therefore the equipment will also only work 7 hours. But, even then there are things that reduce equipment productivity even further.
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Construction equipment teams

Often equipment works in a team. So with earthmoving equipment, there’s an excavator that loads trucks. If there aren’t sufficient trucks for the excavator then the excavator will stand waiting for the next truck. Obviously, if there are too many trucks then the trucks won’t be totally productive. The number of trucks required for an excavator to load depends on many factors. This includes, the size of the excavator and the size of the trucks. A bigger excavator will load trucks quicker, while large trucks will each take a bigger load. The time taken for the truck to travel from where it’s loaded to where it tips the load, plus the time taken to return, dictates the number of trucks required. This depends on the distance. So the shorter the distance the quicker the truck returns. It’s also dependant on the speed of the truck, which depends on the power of the truck – underpowered trucks could struggle to get going and battle up inclines. The speed is also affected by the quality of the road, so trucks travelling on roads which have lots of bumps and potholes will go slower. Obstructions in the road, other traffic (slow or stopped vehicles), congestion and other construction work will slow the trucks. Of course trucks usually must maintain a safe speed and keep within the project speed restrictions. It pays to maintain the haul roads (the roads trucks travel from loading to tipping) in good condition. Spending money to make good roads at the start of the project is often money well spent. Where possible, ensure the roads follow the shortest possible route and that loaded trucks are kept away from work areas and other vehicles.
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The efficiency of the operation is also impacted by how quickly the truck can get into the load position and how quickly it can move off. If the truck has to make numerous turns, backing in and out, it could waste several minutes while the excavator waits for the truck to get into position to be loaded. Loading should be planned so that the truck can easily drive in and out.

Of course often the ground is being taken to a place where it must be levelled and compacted. This operation is part of the chain. If the grader, compactors and water trucks can process the ground quicker than the excavator and trucks can supply the ground, then the grader and compactor won’t be 100% productive because they’ll be waiting for more ground. But, if the grader and compactor can’t compact the ground quickly enough, then the excavator and trucks may be standing while they’re waiting for the compacting operation to catch up.

If the excavator breaks down, then the whole operation stands. The same happens if the grader breaks down. The Alarming Truth about Using Old Construction Equipment
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The right size construction machine

​But, it’s also about getting the size of equipment right. Small excavators take longer to load trucks. Small trucks are loaded quicker, so more trucks are required, and there’s more time wasted manoeuvring trucks into the loading position. But trucks which are too large might not be able to be loaded by excavators and loaders which are too small, or the excavator may only reach part of the truck, causing an uneven distribution of soil on the truck resulting in unused space on the truck, and the uneven distribution of the load could damage the truck suspension and the truck could even over topple. Equipment and trucks that are too big might be less manoeuvrable and unsuitable for congested work areas.

Read What Size Equipment Is Right for Your Construction Project?

Skilled operators

​Excavators can operate more efficiently with a skilled operator than one less skilled. An operator that can load a truck in say 4 minutes compared to one that loads the truck in 5 minutes is 20% more efficient. In an hour they could load 15 trucks versus 12 trucks the slower operator loads.

Read Are you employing the right people on your construction project?
In our next article we discuss construction equipment productivity further.
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​This article is an extract from the book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman'.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
3 Comments

What Size Equipment Is Right for Your Construction Project?

16/12/2020

6 Comments

 
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Picture courtesy of J Neto
Choosing equipment for your construction project isn’t as easy as walking into your local equipment dealership and pointing at the one that looks the coolest. A lot of factors go into choosing the perfect machine for the job, such as cost, efficiency, fuel type and operating requirements. 

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a new piece of machinery is the size. Which size equipment is right for your job?

Understand Your Construction Project

The first detail to look at is the size and scope of your job. This will vary from project to project — the equipment you need to build a single-family home won’t be the same as the fleet you’ll need to construct a skyscraper or office building.

This is one case where size matters, and bigger isn’t always better. If your equipment is too large, you won’t be able to complete the necessary task, or if you can, it will be with some degree of difficulty. It doesn’t take much, especially in the early stages of a project, to swing an oversized excavator bucket right through a wall.

If you’re lucky, all you’ll damage is the wall. If you’re not, you could bring the whole roof down on your head. Either way, you’re stuck with costly repairs and looming deadlines because you just had to have the biggest piece of equipment on the lot. 

It’s like trying to paint a detailed portrait with the largest brush at the store. You might end up with something resembling your project at the end, but it won’t be perfect. You might even end up inadvertently doing more damage with large equipment than you would with properly sized machines. 

On the other side of the coin, you don’t want to choose something that’s too small for the job. You wouldn’t try to dig a ditch with a spoon, and you shouldn’t try to finish a project with a tool that’s too small.
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Picture courtesy of J Neto

Things to Consider When Choosing Construction Equipment

Size isn’t the only thing you need to consider when choosing construction equipment for your next project. Each type of machinery will have its own factors you’ll need to explore to determine if it’s the best option for a particular project. If you need an excavator to dig a hole or trench, you should assess everything from dig depth and reach length to bucket size and lifting capacity.

Sticking with the excavator example, you need to look at size and application. Mini excavators are ideal for crowded worksites, small projects or cases when you’ll need to move your equipment between multiple job sites. Larger excavators become useful for massive projects or cases where a mini version just won’t be enough to do the job.

Digging extensive trench work for new utility lines would be a job for a larger excavator. Moving earth to flatten a backyard before installing a deck is a job better suited for smaller equipment. 
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​Ask yourself these questions when choosing a new piece of construction equipment: 

  • How much space do I have to work? If you’re working in compact spaces, you won’t want to buy or rent the largest piece of equipment available. You’ll just end up stepping on people’s toes — possibly literally. 
  • How much work needs to be done? You might be able to move massive amounts of earth or other materials with a miniature excavator, but it will be a lot more difficult than it needs to be. Keep that in mind when choosing your equipment.
  • What type of material am I working with? Are you just moving loose soil or are you working with rocks, gravel and other heavier materials? Weight limits and capacities will play an enormous role in which piece of equipment you choose. 
  • What does the job site look like? Are you working on pavement where treads could cause damage? Or are you working on loose gravel where tires might slip and slide, creating a hazard?
  • What’s my budget? This question will determine whether you’re buying or renting your equipment and what you can afford to bring to the job site.
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What Size Equipment Is Right for Your Project?

​We can offer you all the advice in the world, but when it comes down to it, deciding your equipment size is a very personal decision. What works for one project might not work for someone else on a similar one. 

Take the time to do your research and figure out which equipment size will work best for you and your goals. Remember that bigger isn’t always better, and sometimes you’ll want to downsize to get the job done. If you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine. 
Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. ​

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
6 Comments

How to improve construction productivity

10/12/2020

1 Comment

 
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Image by s m anamul rezwan from Pixabay
As we saw in our previous article Construction productivity, time is lost at every rest break and at the start and end of the shift. Project managers, foremen and supervisors must ensure that workers get to their work areas as quickly as possible and don’t start drifting off the job site before the start of the rest breaks and before the end of the shift. Construction workers will always take a chance unless working hours are enforced. The 5 minutes will become 10 minutes if nothing is said, and eventually 10 minutes becomes 15.
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Locating stores, offices and toilets close to the work areas helps minimise the lost time.

Construction skills

​A skilled construction worker is often more productive than a less skilled worker. How can you improve the skills of your crews? Well obviously employing a skilled person in the first place is a good start. It’s also important to train your team. This training can be in the form of on the job training and mentoring as well as more formal off-site training. I know we hate losing people for a few weeks while they’re at a training course, but almost always you will be rewarded with a more skilled and productive worker when they return.

Motivating people is important. A demotivated crew could be 50% less productive than a motivated crew. 
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Use the right tools

Using the wrong construction tools, or construction equipment that is underpowered or too small for the job, means the task will take longer and the operator will be less productive. Using blades and drills which are blunt will be slower and risk damaging the equipment. Obviously construction equipment that frequently breaks down destroys productivity.
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Having insufficient tools or equipment may result in someone waiting for an item because someone else is using it. Of course, it may also be impractical for everyone to have their own machine. This would mean that there’re increased costs to purchase or hire the item, which will eventually be more than the potential savings which resulted from workers not waiting for the item. It’s a balance to maximise the productivity of both people and equipment.

Planning and organising your construction site

Of course construction crews need to be balanced. So for instance, if there’re insufficient workers to fix the steel reinforcing in place, then this operation could go slower than other operations, which could then delay the following carpenters and concreters – making them less productive. If the access scaffolding isn’t in place in time, then the carpenters and the steel reinforcing fixers may be delayed.

Work crews often wait for construction materials and equipment. Frequently materials have to be lifted in place with a crane. But cranes regularly have to be shared with other workers and other construction crews, even subcontractors sometimes. If one crew uses the crane longer than necessary because they weren’t prepared for the crane when it was their turn to use it, then it will impact others who are waiting to use the crane. It’s important to understand that if your crew uses the crane longer than they should, that this could impact another crew who is waiting to use the crane.
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Skilled workers are paid more than unskilled workers. Often unskilled workers can be used to undertake regulation tasks and help the skilled workers. This will result in the skilled workers achieving more production.  
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Improving productivity on construction projects

Productivity on most construction projects is poor. It should be easy to improve productivity by 5 to 10%. Wages and salaries on most projects account for about 30% of the costs. If everyone is 10% more productive this could mean that the wages and salaries on the project are reduced by 10%, which overall is a saving of 3% for the project. A 3% saving might not sound much, but effectively this results in 3% more profit, which means if the project was priced to make 10% profit then the project potentially could make 13% profit. In effect the profit has increased by 30%. Now every manager would be very pleased to increase profits by 30%. But it’s often even possible to improve labour productivity by much more than 10%. Of course improving the productivity of construction workers has other benefits, which include that productivity of construction equipment increases, the project may be completed in a shorter duration, fewer workers may be required which will result in savings when the project is providing transport and accommodation for the workers, and fewer workers requires less personal protective equipment and company uniforms.

Planning the construction project properly will improve productivity. This means ensuring that you have sufficient workers with the right skills. It includes seeing that your construction crews have the right equipment. That there is proper access to the work areas. That preceding work is completed so that the next tasks can be done. That all the required construction materials are available, including all the fixings to fit the items. Selecting the right construction methods can improve production.

Good communication is essential to productivity. Workers that don’t know, or understand, what they should be doing may make mistakes, or they could waste time waiting for instructions or clarification of what to do.

Sometimes it’s worth paying more for special equipment (such as specialist formwork) which will simplify tasks, speeding them up or reducing the number of people required.
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Where possible, don’t frequently move people from one task to another, since there’s lost time while they readjust to the new task.  
In our next articles we look at construction equipment productivity

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.
This article is an extract from the book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman'.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
1 Comment

Construction Debris Waste or Sustainable Commodity?

3/12/2020

8 Comments

 
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It was 1989. Bob Berkebile, a creative thinker with a passion for the environment, wondered how he and his fellow architects could design environmentally responsible buildings.

Berkebile formed a small committee, and his idea gained traction. The U.S. Green Building Council, a leading agency in sustainable design and construction, was eventually born. The USGBC’s green rating system is called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED and it is used around the globe today. Projects that promote health, energy efficiency and cost savings are awarded LEED certification in various categories.

The movement that Berkebile started has forever changed the way structures are designed and built. It has even changed traditional approaches to disposing of waste.

Construction waste a huge problem

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Picture courtesy of Pixabay
​In 2018, the U.S. generated around 600 million tons of construction and demolition, or C&D, materials. That was dramatically up from the estimated 136 million tons generated in 1996. Anything that is being built, renovated or torn apart — such as buildings, production plants, highways and bridges — creates debris. Demolitions account for about 90 percent of the waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency urges contractors to stop thinking of C&D materials as waste and start thinking of them as commodities. The discussion is not just limited to doors, hardware, plumbing fixtures, and other intact building components. Scrap metals, plastics, wood, glass, bricks, concrete, and asphalt also have value, yet they are sent to landfills every day. 

The construction industry can join efforts with the EPA in several ways: reducing waste at the source, reusing salvageable materials, recycling or donating materials, and purchasing C&D materials for use on new projects. These are also good pathways to earning LEED certification.

Reducing construction waste

One of the best ways to manage C&D waste is to not generate it in the first place. For example, architects and designers are making buildings more adaptable for a variety of potential uses in the future.

For contractors, source reduction is a matter of keeping waste prevention on the front burner throughout the planning process:

• Deliberately choose products that are reusable, recyclable, or easy to disassemble.
• Choose vendors that promote waste prevention.
• Choose products with minimal packaging.
• Take inventory of supplies more often.
• Verify that measurements are precise.
• Teach subcontractors to identify and sort reusable or recyclable materials on the job site.
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Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Reusing construction and demolition materials

The savings associated with salvaging and reusing materials make this a popular way to do one’s part. In some areas of the country, it is significantly less expensive to recover valuable products than it is to dispose of them in landfills.

What can and cannot be reused varies depending on location, but these are some commonly repurposed items:

• Appliances
• Fixtures
• Doors
• Hardware
• Marble
• Sinks, bathtubs, and toilets
• Mirrors
• Multipaned windows
• Wood flooring, cabinetry, scrap wood, and wood cutoffs
• Bricks, concrete, and stonework
• Ironwork
• Leftover paint
• Excess insulation
• Gypsum removed from drywall
• Packing materials

​Leveraging Deconstruction

There is a growing trend toward dismantling structures rather than destroying them altogether. Deconstruction has several benefits:

• Usable materials are easier to locate and recover.
• The country requires fewer landfills.
• Greenhouse gas emissions from incinerators and landfills are reduced.
• More trees are conserved.
• Materials remain local to eliminate the harmful effects of extracting resources and shipping new products.
• Unwanted materials can be donated to individuals or groups that post a wish list. These include vocational training centers, local business owners, schools, artists, woodworkers, and community theater groups.
• Deconstruction provides jobs and creates business opportunities.

The best structures for deconstruction include wood-framed buildings, buildings that contain valuable materials or products, and buildings that are structurally sound. If a structure has begun to decay but still retains valuable elements, it can be partially deconstructed before demolition.

Recycling construction and demolition materials

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Image by Wolfgang Eckert from Pixabay
There is no denying that the U.S. recycling system could use some work. Well-intentioned contractors are often unsure about which materials can be recycled and where to drop them off. The EPA is working to clear up the confusion. In October of 2020, the agency released its National Recycling Strategy and invited public feedback. The main objectives are to reduce contamination, make processing more efficient and expand markets for recyclable products.

In the meantime, in areas where markets exist, wood can be repurposed for compost, mulch or even furniture. Most metals used in construction are recyclable. Concrete, gravel and asphalt are used to make new products or aggregate. Cardboard is not technically a C&D material, but packaging from job sites need not go to waste.

It is worth noting that some supposed recycling centers take shortcuts or otherwise mismanage materials. Useful products end up in landfills right along with useless ones. Contractors should verify that the processing center is licensed or has third-party certification and complies with regulations.

The website of the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association has a tool for searching recycling centers by location and material type.

Purchasing recycled construction materials

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Image by naeem mayet from Pixabay
​Reuse centers or retail businesses carry everything from millwork to fencing to architectural molding. The retail stores typically have a smaller selection, but their materials and products are of greater value. Many products have been cleaned up or otherwise prepared for sale.

Waste and material exchanges are also good options. Waste exchanges usually handle hazardous substances while material exchanges do not. Some exchanges are brick-and-mortar warehouses with a catalog of goods. Others connect buyers and sellers through a website.

Buying used C&D materials not only promotes sustainability, but it makes good business sense. Construction and renovation costs are reduced. Since used products are almost always sourced locally, communities get an economic boost.

The EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline Program is a great resource for buying used C&D products.

Keeping C&D materials out of landfills is a gift that will keep on giving for generations to come. LEED certification is an additional perk for contractors. A LEED-certified home or business is a testament to innovation and sustainability.

There are many benefits to reducing waste from construction and demolition

Disposing of construction materials is expensive. There's the cost to load it, transport it, then the dump fees. There's also the cost to the environment. The environmental cost to get rid of the material, the environmental cost to create new materials, and the environmental impacts of the dump.

Recycling and reusing materials is often cheaper. Upcycling old buildings could be cheaper, and certainly less harmful to the environment. It may even help protect heritage buildings and heritage features.
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Buildings with good LEED certification can command higher prices from buyers. More people are environmentally conscious these days. 
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Anyway shouldn't we be protecting the future that our children will inherit?
This is a guest post.

​Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
8 Comments

Top Safety Concerns on Construction Sites - And How to Avoid Them

19/11/2020

1 Comment

 
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​The construction industry is one of the largest in the county, and due to the nature of the work, can also be one of the most dangerous. In 2018, more than 20% of on-the-job fatalities occurred in the construction industry. You read that right - one out of every five deaths in the workplace happened on a construction site. Many of the most common jobsite hazards are easy to avoid with a little bit of training and preparation.
 
What are the most common safety concerns on today’s construction site and how can you avoid them?

Navigating the Fatal Four Hazards on Your Construction Project

When talking about construction site hazards, one of the most common things you’ll learn is how to navigate what OSHA calls the Fatal Four -- the four events most likely to cause on the job fatalities. The four most common construction safety hazards are:

  • Falls
  • Struck-By
  • Caught In/Between
  • Electrocution
 
Each has its own causes and challenges that supervisors and site managers need to address to keep their team safe on the job. 
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Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay
Preventing Falls
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Any time a worker is above ground level, there is the risk for a fall. The easiest way to prevent these injuries and potential fatalities is to ensure that everyone is using the correct fall arrest equipment whenever they’re off the ground. Install perimeter protection around the edges of current projects, and make sure to mark any openings clearly.

Preventing Struck-By
Struck-by events can range from annoying to devastating, depending on the size and mass of the object involved. Ensure that everyone is aware of moving objects on the job site at all times, and do not allow anyone to walk or work between moving and fixed objects. High visibility clothing should also be a requirement on these sites.
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Preventing Caught In/Between
Caught in/between events most often happen in trenches or other excavation projects. Ensure that no one is allowed into unprotected excavation sites, especially before protection systems are installed. Even if it looks solid, there’s no guarantee that it is. 
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Preventing Electrocution
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Everyone on the job site needs to be aware of potential electrical hazards, from overhead or buried power lines to portable equipment with frayed or damaged power cords. Inspect all work spaces carefully before beginning to ensure that all potential electrical hazards are addressed. Train employees on proper lockout/tagout procedures for any equipment that you may need to take offline for repairs.
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Dealing with Weather Hazards
Weather conditions in different parts of the world each present their own unique hazards that you’ll need to be prepared for. Both extreme heat and extreme cold can put employees at risk and you’ll have to address each one differently. 
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For extreme cold temperatures, ensure that everyone is wearing enough layers of clothing to stay warm. Focus on parts of the body that may be at more risk for injury in the cold, such as the fingers and ears. Provide heated spaces for your team to take breaks during the day. Providing warm drinks might be a good idea too.
 
For hot weather, shade and frequent breaks are going to be your best friend. Try to avoid working during the peak daylight hours between 10am and 3pm so your team and their equipment isn’t spending the entire day in direct sunlight. Work early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Preventing Repetitive Motion Injuries
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Repetitive motion injuries occur, as their name suggests, when an employee does the same motion over and over for long periods. Overexertion, which can be very common in the construction industry, only makes them worse.
 
Encourage proper lifting techniques through both training and practice. In some situations, you may even want to consider implementing some low-grade automation for mundane tasks to prevent these injuries from occurring. 

Ensure your construction team returns home safe

Each year many workers are killed or injured on construction projects. Construction is one of the most hazardous occupations. But it does not have to be like this. You can ensure that your construction project is safe, and that you and your team work safely without injury, by taking a few extra precautions and ensuring your team understand the hazards of construction.
Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. ​

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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This is my story Paul Netscher

18/11/2020

0 Comments

 

Retired Construction Professional with Management Experience of Over 120 Construction Projects

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This week in his  "THIS IS MY STORY" Steve Keightley-Smith features Paul Netscher - a Construction Professional with over 30 years experience to read more click here

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Construction productivity

12/11/2020

1 Comment

 
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​Is your crew 100% productive? Is all the equipment on your project 100% productive? Now many project managers and supervisors will answer that of course their crew and equipment are productive. But how productive?
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Consider this, if your crew works 10 hours a day and they’re paid 10 hours, but in this time they have a 30 minute lunch break and two 15 minute tea breaks, then straight off they are only working 9 hours. Now the breaks are pre-set and may have nothing to do with the project manager or supervisor. But let’s consider more. Are workers at their work stations at the start of the shift? Almost definitely not! There’s tools and materials to collect, prestart meetings, time for a chat, then a walk to the job site. At least 15 minutes is lost – and that’s on a good project, because it’s often more like 20 to 30 minutes. What about each side of the rest breaks? Inevitably workers start drifting to the toilets and eating areas 5 minutes before the start of the rest break. Then, afterwards they straggle back to the work site, taking 5 to 10 minutes to start work again. At least 30 minutes has been lost over the 3 rest and meal breaks!. Then the end of the shift. On many projects workers are all washed up and queued at the project gates at the end of the shift. To do this they’ve left their work station 15 minutes earlier so they could walk to the store, return tools and clean up. A 10 hour shift has been reduced to 8 hours and they haven’t even started to work!

How productive is your construction crew?

PictureImage by mrandolph from Pixabay
​But what happens while they’re working? Inevitably there’re interruptions. A chat with other workers, toilet visits, waiting for cranes, stepping aside so that others can do work, equipment breakdowns, walking back to the store to get other materials, waiting for instructions from the supervisor, and more. Then when one task is finished they have to move to another task, fetch new materials and equipment for that task and familiarise themselves with the new task. Before you know it the work day is 7 hours. But, this’s probably a good day. I regularly factored in 70% productivity in a work day when I priced projects.
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So imagine if your workers takes 10 minutes to return from their rest breaks instead of the 5 minutes I allowed above. Suddenly they’ve lost another 15 minutes. 15 minutes on 7 hours is a loss of 3.5%. Now most construction companies only price 10 to 15% profit on their projects. So losing 3.5% of production every day would reduce a 10% profit on labour to only 6.5% – which is a 35% reduction in profit. Now nobody would be happy with that. 

PictureImage by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
​​To continue with the discussion, we have a crew that’s physically working on the job site for 7 hours – are they actually producing what they should, working at maximum production? Now I’ve worked in several different countries and it amazes me how production varies between countries. But production also varies between projects, supervisors and work crews.

In this instance, let’s say the estimator assumed a carpenter could erect 1 square metre of concrete forms per hour. In 7 hours that’s 7 square metres. But if your crew is only completing 6 square metres in the day then they’re producing only 86% of what the price allowed. In other words, for every square metre of formwork it’s costing the company 15% more than they’re being paid to erect the formwork. In fact, if your company has a 10% profit margin for the item, then they’re losing money!
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Of course it works the other way as well. If your crew is erecting 8 square metre of forms versus the 7 allowed, then your crew is making an additional 14% profit. If the company has a 10% profit margin on the item, suddenly your crew is making the 10% plus an additional 14%, which is a huge increase in profits.

In future articles we look at what impacts productivity, and equipment productivity.
Read How to improve construction productivity

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

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Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Top Tips to Cut Costs on Today's Construction Site

5/11/2020

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​Construction is an expensive business. Quality building materials, experienced workers, good safety practices and new equipment can all drive up the capital needed for a project. That's not even considering the costs of potential delays due to maintenance, weather or the occasional miscommunication.

Finding ways to cut down costs can help improve margins or even make it possible to take on more projects. Lower expenses can also ensure you can keep your business running, even when the work doesn't go as planned.

These five tips are some of the best ways to reduce costs without cutting corners on modern construction sites.

1. Use New Construction Tools and Techniques
Material costs in construction tend to increase seasonally and each year. Combating these rising expenses can provide some extra breathing room in a company's budget.
New approaches to material management can help you control these costs. For example, modular building lets your team take advantage of off-site construction and on-site assembly. This can potentially cut back on waste and reduce the total amount of material necessary for a given project. Because modular building can also help you shorten project build times, you may be able to save on labor, as well.

Advanced tech, like new building information modeling tools, can also help here. With the right tool, you can lower the risk of mistakes or identify areas where you may safely reduce material usage.

2. Source Used Equipment
Equipment costs can take up a major portion of any construction company's budget.
Used machinery is often comparable in quality to new, while typically being significantly cheaper. You're also less likely to deal with depreciation costs when taking the preowned route.

While used equipment may have different maintenance needs, good practices and on-site technicians can likely prevent any potential issues. Working with a reputable dealer will also ensure that any used machine is of high quality and in good shape.

3. Implement Preventive Maintenance Practices
Equipment downtime can result in major costs. You will have to manage the expense of repairing the damaged or broken equipment, and you'll also deal with the cost of working around the failed machinery — or stopping work altogether.
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A preventive maintenance plan is an investment and may require a part-time mechanic on-staff. However, it can also reduce the risk that your operations are brought to a halt by machine failure that you could've seen coming.
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​4. Improve Office Staff Management
Simple changes to office staff management can help significantly reduce costs.
For example, cross-training your employees may lessen the need for temporary employees. Because of how expensive it is to bring on and train new hires, it may be cheaper to maintain permanent full-time or part-time workers for a set of tasks rather than use temps.

Does your business have an off or slow season where you see significantly reduced project requests? Encouraging your administrative staff to take vacation time or reduced hours during these periods can also help you save on unnecessary on-site office expenses.

5. Identify Staff That Can Work From Home
Offering optional remote work is also a popular way to cut down on office staff management's cost. The more team members work from home, the less your company will have to invest in office space. They will also have the added benefit of being able to telecommute some days and avoid driving.

In some cases, you may be able to significantly cut down on the office space you need. This will decrease rent spending and reduce associated costs — like maintenance, lighting and environmental control.
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Most construction companies don't have strong WFH experience, and there may be an institutional learning curve to offering remote work options at your company. However, you'll be in good company if you make the switch.

​How Modern Construction Companies Can Keep Costs Low

​These techniques are some of the best ways to cut down on costs on the modern construction site. Simple adjustments to workflows and purchasing processes can go a long way in helping your company reduce labor, equipment and maintenance prices.
Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. 

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Interesting construction articles

28/10/2020

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Disasters waiting to happen: 5 major infrastructure projects in need of repair
From aging dams and deteriorating tunnels to deficient bridges and lead-filled drinking water lines, the U.S. has plenty of work to do when it comes to the quality of its infrastructure. Read more ➔
Fixing construction's racism problem will take an industrywide effort
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To eradicate bigotry on jobsites, the first step is to acknowledge it exists, industry leaders say. Zero-tolerance policies, bystander intervention and a 'racism rating' are some of their other ideas. Read more
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11 of the coolest new structures in SA - including a massive 'bubble' building
​Racism on the jobsite: How hate erodes construction's bottom line
Industry leaders say that eliminating racist actions and attitudes in construction is the right thing to do. Here are five other reasons. Read more
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Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay
Report: Nearly half of America's deadliest jobs are in construction
  • Twelve of the 25 most dangerous jobs as measured by the rate of people who die at work are in the construction industry, according to a recent report from business insurance analysis firm AdvisorSmith. Read more
Report: Highest-paying construction jobs that don't require a college degree
  • Several of the highest-paid jobs in the country that don't require a college degree are related to the construction industry, according to a new report from Advisor Smith. Construction managers earn the second-highest salary on the list of jobs that don't require a degree, which is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read More

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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Prevent poor weather from disrupting your construction project

20/10/2020

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Image by Markus Distelrath from Pixabay
Often construction projects are completed late and many contractors blame poor weather. Sure, inclement weather does delay projects, but can contractors mitigate the impact of the poor weather, or even avoid the worst impacts? Are contractors completely blameless when it comes to weather events? Now, I’m not talking about severe weather events like hurricanes, floods and tornedoes, which no amount of preparation can protect construction projects from, rather I’m talking about the normal seasonal weather. Should contractors have allowed for the normal rains, heat and cold that could impact their project before it’s completed?

Contractors are an eternally optimistic bunch and never seem to allow for any weather-related impacts on their construction projects. But, is it reasonable to expect to work on a twelve-month long project and think you won’t encounter rain, winds, summer, and winter, at some stage in the course of your project?

Contractors often put the blame on clients for their unreasonable project schedules and say it’s impossible to allow additional time for delays caused by rain – rain which is average and will almost certainly occur! Well that’s professional suicide if you knowingly accept a project construction schedule which doesn’t allow for the normal expected weather conditions which can be expected at that time and in that location.

But some contractors make their life even harder by not taking even basic precautions to avoid weather delays. Is it possible to avoid, or mitigate, the impacts of some of the poor weather?
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Image by Bruno Germany from Pixabay

Minimising weather disruptions on your construction project

There are several measures contractors can take to mitigate delays caused by poor weather. Some of these should be implemented when pricing the project, others when preparing the construction schedule, and of course many measures need to be implemented and maintained during construction. These include some, or all, of the following:
  • When pricing the project understand the expected weather conditions at the project location. More importantly understand the project contract documents – know what they say about the risks of inclement weather, and particularly unseasonal and severe weather conditions. Allow for the costs and delays of the normal weather patterns in your price. Discuss some of the issues relating to the weather with your client. For instance, it’s often folly to start a project at the height of the wet season in the tropics. Hopefully informed clients will understand this.
  • When preparing the construction schedule where possible.
    • Plan to close-up buildings ahead of the rain season or cold weather.
    • Schedule activities that can be impacted by rain, such as earthworks, to occur outside of the rainy season.
    • Schedule activities such as roofing and lifting large loads to happen outside the windy season.
    • Understand the expected weather conditions and allow additional time in the schedule for possible delays caused by inclement weather.
  • Consider alternative construction methodologies. This might even mean redesigning structures. You may be able to manufacture parts of the structure in modules, or precast some sections, reducing the work to be done in poor weather. Consider different foundation solutions to minimise excavations in the rainy season.
  • Modify construction working times. To avoid the summer heat, you could start working earlier in the day to make the best use of cooler temperatures, then stop earlier in the hot afternoons. Often strong winds occur in the afternoons, or windy days calm down in the late afternoon, so it may be possible to schedule lifting operations to times of the day when there’s less chance of winds impacting operations – even if that means lifting materials takes place after normal working hours. Maximise good weather opportunities, which might mean working additional shifts on weekends ahead of when poor weather is expected (these usually cost more but progress on the project may justify these extra costs).
  • Put protection measures in place. A simple earth berm around excavations can protect excavations from flooding. Modest open-cut storm drains will channel rainwater away from work areas. Avoid low lying areas on the work site which can become flooded – especially ensure that material storage places are adequately drained and can be accessed even in wet weather. Have plastic sheeting, or tarpaulins, available to cover recently completed work that can be damaged by rain. Put measures in place to protect new concrete from extreme temperatures and wind. These actions often don’t cost much but they will save valuable time after a rainstorm or other weather event.
  • Reschedule tasks in anticipation of bad weather. This could include delaying major concrete pours or postponing heavy lifts. In some areas regular afternoon thunderstorms occur so you want to ensure that major tasks are completed ahead of these storms, perhaps starting earlier or working in smaller sections may help.
  • Prepare your project before severe weather strikes. Ensure your project team has sufficient warning that a storm or rain is on the way. Loose materials must be secured, protective covers rigged to protect unfinished work from possible damage, checks done to ensure storm-water drains are clear, and partly completed structures must be properly braced to withstand the wind.
  • Ensure teams can work safely in inclement weather. No-one wants to work in the rain, freezing temperatures or searing heat. However, we often have to, so it’s important that your team has the required protective gear, which could include adequate rain suits, waterproof footwear, warm clothing, warm rest shelters, adequate water, safe working conditions, etc. Saving on some of these items may mean the project loses time because employees aren’t adequately equipped to work in the prevailing conditions.
  • Temporary roads and working platforms must be constructed so that rainwater drains away and equipment and vehicles can operate without becoming bogged or dangerously skidding. We all try to save money on our project roads, then, invariably lose production when we cannot access our work areas after rain.
  • Have adequate water pumps on the project site and have a system in place to dispose of the stormwater. Work areas must be cleared of water quickly so that construction can continue. Inadequate preparation and saving a few thousand dollars could cost the project a day or more of lost production. If you know it’s going to rain at some time during the project be prepared for when it does.
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Image by toodlingstudio from Pixabay

Construction projects will experience poor weather so learn to deal with it

We can almost guarantee that most construction projects will be impacted by inclement weather. In many cases this shouldn’t be an excuse for delays.
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We can prevent, or at least mitigate, many of the delays by understanding the weather patterns in the area and allowing for these expected weather disruptions in our construction schedule. Proper planning can also mean that weather dependent activities are scheduled for times when better weather is expected. We should also implement mitigating measures to reduce the damage and return the project to full production as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, these days more projects are being interrupted by extreme weather events which couldn’t have been foreseen, and no amount of preparation could have avoided. Contractors shouldn’t be expected to shoulder the responsibility and risks of these extreme weather events, or weather that couldn’t have been reasonably expected on the project. Therefore, contractors should be cautious in accepting project contracts where they could be liable for delays caused by weather events beyond the norm. If the weather risks are too high learn to walk away from the project and don’t price the project.

Although it may appear that weather impacts on construction projects are in the hands of the Gods, contractors still have some control over the damages they suffer and they are sometimes not entirely blameless for delays caused by poor weather.

How has poor weather impacted your project?
This article was first published on the ClockShark website.
For construction and field service companies who want to get rid of paper time sheets, ClockShark is the GPS time tracking app that's both powerful and easy to use.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Why good relationships are important in construction

13/10/2020

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​It’s important for construction companies to build good relationships with their customers. Unfortunately many construction projects end in an adversarial position. It becomes ‘them and us’. Contractors view the client as out to get them, and customers often view contractors as a bunch of crooks. Yet, I’ve had many long successful relationships with some clients. They weren’t always happy with us, and nor were we always happy with them. We had our disagreements and arguments, but in most cases the construction project was finished well, issues were sorted amicably, and seldom did one party feel aggrieved. In fact in many cases we constructed further projects for the same customer – sometimes, even becoming their contractor of choice. 

Why it’s important for contractors to develop good customer relations

Having a good relationship with customers often means the customer favours the contractor for their next project, sometimes even directly negotiating new projects with them, or even awarding projects to the contractor when their price isn’t the lowest. The customer is prepared to pay a premium to work with a contractor that they know they can trust and rely on to deliver their construction project on time and with good quality.
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Having a good relationship with a client often means the contractor can obtain the inside track on forthcoming construction projects, enabling them to be one step ahead of competitors. Knowing what the customer is really looking for has enabled us to strategically position our price presentation, ensuring that we answered the customers concerns, that we could demonstrate that we understood what was important to the customer, and we could portray our company as the best for the project.

Construction projects are built with a team effort. A team that’s striving for one common goal to complete the project successfully. Projects are built on trust, with the client and the contractor helping each other and not out to trip each other up.
Having a good relationship means the contractor understand the customer’s needs and focusses on delivering a project that fulfils these needs. It enables the contractor to put the right people on the project.

Having a good relationship means that the contractor and the customer can talk through problems, present their concerns, and develop solutions. Issues can be resolved without resorting to lawyers because there’s already empathy and respect for the other party. A good relationship means that there’s open and honest dialogue. Good relationships reduce conflict. Good relations help resolve problems.

How do we develop relationships with our clients in construction?

Building good relationships depends on individuals, yet it’s also a team effort. A good relationship between a client and contractor can quickly be destroyed by one individual – perhaps the contractor’s project manager who has an argument with the client, possibly is rude, or lodges spurious claims.

Good relationships are built on trust and honesty. They survive on delivering quality projects on time.

Good relationships are built by talking, by working through problems, and most importantly by being sensitive to customers and their needs. Of course good relationships are a two-way street, and both the customer and the contractor have to build the relationship.

Egos and personal gain destroy relationships.
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Even the best working relationships have to be worked on, so contractors should stay in contact with their past customers. Today many have a frenetic and busy life and past good relationships can be forgotten at the end of the project. It’s important to keep contact with customers, give a call, or even pop in for a coffee.

What shouldn’t destroy relationships
in construction

Regrettably, sometimes having a good relationship with a client harms the contractor. For instance, sometimes contractors are reluctant to submit variation claims for fear of ruining a good relationship. But, contractors are entitled to submit legitimate variation claims for delays or additional costs caused by the client and for events which the contractor couldn’t have reasonably foreseen, events which are claimable in terms of the project contract. Indeed, clients should never hold legitimate variation claims against their contractor, no matter how strong the relationship is between the client and contractor. Even the largest claim shouldn’t destroy a good relationship, providing the claim is legitimate and the contractor has done all in their power to mitigate the events. In fact, a true test of the relationship is how the client treats their contractor. Deplorably many relationships which contractors view as being strong are in fact one-sided and almost entirely dependent on the contractor’s subservience to the client’s whims. A one-sided relationship is an unhealthy relationship.

In the same manner contractors need to be cautious of being seduced into doing favours, possibly doing extra work, even not complaining when payments are late, because they’re fearful of damaging the relationship they have with their customer. It’s vital to always keep to the rules of the contract, no matter how sound the working relationship is.

It’s important to talk issues through with the customer, but contractors cannot rely on verbal agreements alone, no matter how strong the relationship or the trust between the parties. Even strong relationships can be shattered when one member of the party has their back against the wall, and verbal agreements are expediently and quickly forgotten.

On occasion contractors become used to working only with certain clients. Clients they have a good working relationship with. This could lead to a dependence on these clients and their projects, which may be the undoing of the contractor should the relationship suddenly end, or perhaps the client’s run of projects comes to a halt. Contractors should never be complacent, dependent on only a few strong relationships to bring them a continuous supply of work.
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Of course under no circumstance should the relationship lead to dishonesty. No customer or contractor should be favoured in a dishonest way simply because the parties have developed a good working relationship. 

Successful projects are built on good relationships between all parties 

As contractors we should be sensitive to our customer’s needs. We have to put energy and effort into building sound relationships, taking the time to talk to our customers. Indeed we must have empathy with our customers and understand the problems that they must deal with. However, this empathy doesn’t have to come with doling out freebies, rather it’s about helping the customer and talking through problems and issues. We must know our customer’s expectations and ensure that we can meet their expectations.

Successful projects are built on good relationships between all parties on the project. Successful contractors build solid and sound relationships with their customers – relationships that are strong enough to weather the rigours that construction projects face, relationships that aren’t destroyed when the parties play according to the project’s contract rules, relationships that aren’t easily broken by errors that are quickly fixed.
​
How have you built good relationships with your customers? Have these relationships paid dividends, or have they sometimes cost you?
​This article was first published on the ClockShark website.
For construction and field service companies who want to get rid of paper time sheets, ClockShark is the GPS time tracking app that's both powerful and easy to use.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Silicosis risk to construction workers

1/10/2020

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Image courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A dust disease affecting the health of construction crews – and it’s not only asbestos

We all know the risks of asbestos and the debilitating lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibres. Indeed the media is filled with news reports and lawyers are engaged in multibillion dollar compensation claims for victims. Unfortunately there’s another lung disease that hasn’t grabbed the headlines yet. A disease that’s impacting hundreds and even thousands of construction workers. A silent disease that can have equally devastating results on construction workers as mesothelioma and asbestosis. A disease that robs people of breath, often finally causing death. Could it be as big as asbestos? We hope not, but if workers don’t take precautions it could.
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Image by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay
​More and more workers in the construction industry are being struck down by silicosis. Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust. Silica dust is created when masons cut materials like concrete, masonry, sandstone and granite. The disease isn’t curable and results in permanent scarring of the lungs. Silicosis is a debilitating disease making even minor physical activity near impossible, and severe cases lead to death. For more read this report.

In the US, according to a 2015 report from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, some 2 million workers are exposed to silica dust, with the highest risks being in mining, quarrying, stonemasons, tunnelling and construction, with many of these workers facing high exposure.
PictureImage by Solomon Rodgers from Pixabay
​A relatively new source of silica dust is the use of engineered stone kitchen bench tops and bathroom vanity slabs. According to this report engineered stone consists of 90% silica. These tops have to be cut to size and holes are cut and drilled to accommodate the installation of sinks, cooktops and plumbing fittings. Workers who aren’t aware of the risks often cut stone with no regard for the dust generated and they often work without proper breathing protection.

In Australia, where cases of silicosis have increased by 50%, new laws are being introduced to reduce the amount of dust exposure, but these probably don’t go far enough since many workers are exposed to silica dust over prolonged periods of time.

Workers need to be aware of the risks of breathing silica dust. Dust should be eliminated by employing cutting and polishing tools which suck the dust up as it’s created. Where possible wet cutting should be done. Workers must wear proper breathing masks. Masks used must be appropriate for the work and most paper masks won’t protect the wearer. Caution must be taken to ensure that people in the vicinity aren’t exposed to the dust. Put an end to clouds of dust on construction projects.
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Our health and the health of our workers is important. Don’t take the chance with your life or the lives of others. Contractors who don’t implement the correct safety precautions could be exposed to multimillion dollar lawsuits from those exposed to silicosis on the worksite. Don’t let silica dust become the next asbestos. Let’s learn from the past and implement solutions to ensure the safety of our workers.

​This article was first published on the ClockShark website.
For construction and field service companies who want to get rid of paper time sheets, ClockShark is the GPS time tracking app that's both powerful and easy to use.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.
The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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When construction equipment arrives on your project check these things.

15/9/2020

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Save money by checking construction equipment when it arrives on the project

​When equipment arrives on your construction project it’s important to check for scratches and damages. Remember that the owner/hirer will expect the item to be returned in good condition. You need to report all damages, including cracked and chipped windows and lights. Your construction project will probably be charged for all damages on the equipment unless you reported and recorded them when the item arrived. Of course reporting damage means reporting it in writing – unfortunately people forget verbal conversations. Taking photographs of damage is an effective way of recording the extent of pre-existing damages.

Check that the item works correctly, that it has all the necessary licenses and paperwork and that where necessary it’s roadworthy. Check the condition of tyres – badly worn tyres are dangerous and they can be more easily punctured or spring leaks, which will cause disruption while they’re repaired. Check the condition of cutting edges, blades and excavator bucket teeth. Badly worn cutting edges will reduce productivity and cut less easily. But generally construction equipment hire companies charge for replacing cutting edges. You don’t want to receive construction equipment with badly worn parts which wear out completely after a few days and then your project is charged for a replacement new item. On large machines these items can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Check for oil and fuel leaks.

Check that the machine has arrived with all the parts and components it’s supposed to have. For instance, hired vehicles would normally have a spare wheel, a lifting jack, warning triangles and maybe some tools. If the vehicle is returned without these items the construction project will be charged for them. It’s not fair to be charged for items that the project never received, so ensure that missing items are recorded when the equipment arrives.

It’s important to check and record the quantity of fuel in vehicles and large construction equipment. Construction equipment hire companies generally expect the equipment to be returned fully fuelled and if the item isn’t full they’ll charge the project to fill the machine or vehicle with fuel. Now if the item was empty when it arrived that could be lots of fuel you’re paying for. The average vehicle might have a 50 litre (13 gallon) fuel tank, but a large construction truck or bulldozer could have a 200 litre (50 gallons) or bigger tank. Why would you donate a tank of fuel to the hire company?

Always record the time the equipment arrived on the project. If the item arrives at say 4pm you wouldn’t want construction project to be charged the hire for that day. The project shouldn’t be paying for hours when the item wasn’t on the project. In fact, any delivery 4 hours or less from the end of the day shouldn’t be charged to the project on that day, because it’s unlikely that you’ll get the equipment setup and working before the day’s finished. It’s also important to record when there’re missing items and paperwork which prevent the equipment from being used. The project should only pay for the item when it’s fit to use for the purpose that it was hired for.
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Even when the equipment belongs to your company it’s good practice to carry out the same checks. Many contractors charge the project a rate (hire) to use company owned equipment. Normally the project also has to pay for new tyres, cutting edges and to repair damages for company equipment.
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This is an extract from the author's book 'The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman' available from Amazon and other online bookstores. On reader on Amazon said "Honestly, this book is damn readable. It's more practical than I thought. It's can be called "concise construction management manual". It should be read by all kind of construction professionals. The author is simply a great construction professional. I am really appreciate him. Keep calm and read more book by Paul Netscher!"

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Celebrating construction workers this Labor Day in America and Canada

1/9/2020

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Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
As you prepare for the Labor Day long weekend pause to reflect on the meaning of this holiday. The origins of Labor Day are often overshadowed by the sales and discounts offered by many retailers this weekend, by the start of a new sports season, a new school year, and the prospect of the end of summer and a final opportunity for a summer family picnic. This year is different with Covid-19 damaging the health and economies of vast swathes of the community, raising many new concerns, including the safety of children returning to school and the many uncertainties for the future. Many of your workers will have been impacted by the virus, as I’m sure most companies have been impacted by the economic and human cost.
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Labor Day is meant as a time to commemorate the contribution of workers, and we should pause to consider their contribution to building the country, and importantly their vital contribution to continue building the country.
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Image by Mustafa shehadeh from Pixabay
Where would our construction projects be without the hard work of construction workers, who often work long hours in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions. A successful construction company is built on the team effort and hard work of both management and workers. The success of our construction projects depends on our craftspeople and workers.

Take this opportunity to say thank you to your construction team. Maybe consider a small celebration on your construction project to mark the holiday and thank your crew.

I’m sure the summer has been rushed trying to get construction projects finished in between the pandemic. So now may be a good time to pause and step back and review your construction crew. Is it time to reward some with a promotion or small pay increase? How about seeing who would benefit from extra training? Who has put in the extra effort? Who has helped get your projects over the line? Who should be rewarded, who needs help, and who needs to improve? Providing constructive feedback to your construction team and workers will pay dividends. If you’ve been office bound for the last few months now is a good time to get out onto the construction project site and engage with your construction crews.

Your crew will appreciate a thank you for their efforts. They will be appreciative of rewards for their efforts. They’ll return refreshed from their long weekend and invigorated by your thanks, so that your construction project can make the most of the good autumn weather. Before you know it Thanksgiving and winter will arrive.

Regrettably some construction projects may be behind schedule and there’s the temptation to make construction crews work through the holidays to make up the lost time. Don’t be the grinch that stole Labor Day from your construction team, that took away the opportunity for your crew to rest and spend time with their family.

Of course equally, don’t steal Labor Day from your family. Don’t take work home. Your family wants to spend time with you before their school or college year ramps up into a flurry of sport, study and socialising. Make time for your family and enjoy the weekend wherever you are and whatever you do. Don’t let work spoil the holiday. Everyone needs a break from work. You’ll be more refreshed to face the rest of 2020 if you take time off this weekend.

Let’s pause and consider the reason we celebrate Labor Day. It’s a celebration of everyone who worked hard to build the country. It’s a celebration of all who work hard everyday to make our construction projects successful. Say thanks to them. Happy Labor Day.
How will you celebrate Labor Day with your team?
What are your plans for the Labor Day weekend?
​This article was first published on the ClockShark website.
For construction and field service companies who want to get rid of paper time sheets, ClockShark is the GPS time tracking app that's both powerful and easy to use.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

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​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Don’t run short of materials on your construction project

27/8/2020

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Isn’t it annoying when you’re working on a construction project and you run out of materials before the task is completed? You’re sure you ordered enough material to complete the work! Why isn’t there enough material? Did someone steal it? Well perhaps they did – but there could be several reasons why there’re insufficient materials for the task.
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Sometimes the construction materials needed can be quickly gotten from the nearby store, but even so work is interrupted, possibly the construction team stands idle while the material is fetched, or the workers must be reorganised to do other construction work in the meantime. Unfortunately, in some cases the material isn’t readily available, and it could take several days to get the missing items to the project. Inevitably there are additional costs and delays which could jeopardise the success of the construction project. 

Why do projects experience construction material shortages?

There are many reasons for construction material shortages and proper care should help avoid this from occurring.
  • Often, it’s simply caused by the construction project manager, engineer, or supervisor incorrectly measuring the quantity from the drawing. They did things in a hurry and didn’t check. In some cases, project managers make a mistake the other way and order too much material – construction material which is then left over at the end of the project – I’m sure we’ve all seen piles of left-over unused building materials at the end of construction projects. It’s vital to check that you’ve ordered the correct quantities of materials.
  • No allowance is made for off-cuts of the material which can’t be used. Items like ceramic tiles or building blocks generate wastage when they’re cut. Often lengths of timber, steel, pipes and electrical cables remain when the required sizes have been cut. An experienced contractor will know what this wastage could be, which often depends on the actual details of where the product is used. Planning cutting can reduce waste, allowing the maximum usable pieces to be cut from the available material.
  • The incorrect conversion factor is used, which often occurs with earthworks materials when the incorrect factor is used for calculating how much loose material is required to make the compacted volume. (This factor depends on the type of material and the amount of compaction required.) When construction material with unfamiliar properties and characteristics is ordered it pays to seek expert advice regarding what wastage or compaction factors should be allowed.
  • No allowance is made to lap the material. This is particularly the case with mesh reinforcing, plastic sheeting, or roof coverings. To minimise wastage due to lapping or splicing of the materials, it’s important to be aware of the standard sizes the material is supplied in. In some cases, it may be possible to order construction materials in different widths and lengths, reducing the number of joints, and therefore the amount of lapping.
  • Sometimes there is theft on the construction project, so critical material should always be stored in secure locations. Ensure that the project is secured to prevent theft.
  • Workers are careless and they damage materials while offloading them, when they move them on the construction project, and when they install them. It’s important to ensure that construction materials aren’t damaged, since not only is this wasteful adding additional costs, but it could result in the construction project running short of materials.
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  • Poor quality work results in work having to be redone, which requires extra material.
  • Often the material has been incorrectly applied on the project. For instance, the product has been applied in thicker layers than those specified, this may happen with paint, asphalt, concrete, joint sealer and adhesives. The construction project manager should monitor the application of specialist construction products, or products that are used in a large quantity on the construction project. This will enable timely action to be taken to reduce the thickness to what it should be, thus reducing wastage, and if necessary, then to order more material to make up any shortfall caused by the increased thickness.
  • Construction materials are stored badly which results in them becoming damaged. Some products are damaged by the sun or when they become wet. Materials which aren’t stacked properly can become warped and twisted. Vehicles could ride into materials and damage them. Always store construction materials properly where they won’t be easily damaged.
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Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay
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  • The incorrect quantity has been delivered. I’ve seen it happen that a construction project ran out of a material, the project manager contacted the supplier and arranged for additional material to be delivered. Shortly thereafter the remaining construction material from the original order arrived, followed by the additional material requested. This results in excess material remaining at the end of construction and causes wasted effort and cost. It’s good practice when an unexpected shortfall of construction materials occurs that the reason behind it be investigated before ordering the additional material.

Have the right quantity of materials on your construction project

It’s worth spending extra time to ensure you order the correct quantities of construction materials. Where necessary ask for expert advice to determine the normal wastage factors of a particular product. Look at different options for cutting and installing the materials, as well as the various sizes the products are available in. Careful planning and ordering of construction materials can reduce costs. Of course, always ensure that those installing the products understand how they should be installed to minimise waste and so that they don’t undo your careful planning. This could avoid costly and embarrassing mistakes.

Investigate shortages before ordering additional construction material. The missing items may be lying unnoticed somewhere on the project, or the supplier might not have delivered the material yet. Regrettably sometimes construction project managers order additional materials to make good shortfalls, only to discover that the missing materials were found or were delivered later – resulting in there being too much material.

Of course, always check the construction drawings because a shortfall of material may be because of drawing errors which resulted in more material being used than was allowed for.

Importantly, keep a constant check on the available construction materials and act when it appears that there may be insufficient materials. Take timely action to ensure that your construction team is not left waiting for more materials.
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Have you run short of materials on your construction project? What was the reason?
​This article was first published on the ClockShark website.
For construction and field service companies who want to get rid of paper time sheets, ClockShark is the GPS time tracking app that's both powerful and easy to use.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.

The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
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Avoiding Construction disputes

18/8/2020

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  • Regrettably, some construction projects end in long and acrimonious disputes between the employer and contractor, or between the main contractor and subcontractors.
  • These disputes appear to occur more often these days.
  • Frequently the only real winners from these disputes seem to be lawyers.
  • What are the costs of these disputes and are they worth it?
  • Why do disputes occur?
  • Is it possible to avoid disputes on our construction projects?
In this webinar I discuss disputes, particularly disputes emanating from a disagreement around variation claims. We look at:
  • The consequences of disputes to both the contractor and the employer.
  • Reasons disputes arise.
  • How you can avoid disputes.
  • What to consider before launching into the dispute process.
The webinar is quite long and there is a long intro and the webinar only gets going from about the 15 minute mark - so if you are short of time skip forward to when I'm talking on slide 5 or even slide 8

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Paul Netscher is the author of several construction management books, including ‘Successful Construction Project Management: The Practical Guide’ a hands-on guide for contractors, ‘Construction Management from Project Concept to Completion’ a valuable guide for employer/client-side project managers, and ‘Construction Claims: A Short Guide for Contractors’.
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    The opinions expressed in the attached articles are those of the writer. It should be noted that projects are varied and different laws and restrictions apply which depend on the location of the contractor and the project. It's important that the reader uses the supplied information taking cognisance of their particular circumstances. The writer assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss of any kind arising from the reader using the information or advice contained herein.
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