With the development of computers and various software, more and more businesses manage their operations smoothly and efficiently. This software enables organizations to manage their workforce, keep track of the raw materials and production and follow a planned work schedule. All this eventually increases work productivity. It results in optimal utilization of resources and thus reduces the probability of error. Explicit software is available for various spheres of work, including construction. Today more and more construction companies are depending on construction management software to work efficiently and diligently. There are multiple benefits of using the software in the construction industry which we discuss below. 

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• Helps In Controlling Cost- The overall project cost can be easily ascertained with this software. Unless the overall project cost is calculated correctly, it becomes difficult to quote for your customers and be competitive. Also, the software helps to stay within the project costs while the project runs and warns the organization about any deviations. 

• Allows Having A More Systematic Approach - The construction management software makes it easy for the supervisors and managers to organize their work in real-time on the site. It also allows everybody to know the project's progress without asking every team involved in the project management. 

• Helps To Organize Documents - Any construction company needs to handle a large volume of documents. The plan, the site plan, the sectional plan, the permissions from various competent authorities, the testing reports, etc. The software allows uploading the documents so that anyone in the organization can easily view them whenever and wherever. It helps to liaise with the client, subcontractors, suppliers, authorities, managers, designers, and more. 

• Helps To Assess The Risk – Risk assessment is one of the significant issues in the construction business. It can be during quoting, project planning, or in the field. The integrated construction management software helps to ascertain the risk and warns the project managers accordingly. 

• Managing payments – The construction management software allows the accounting staff and the finance managers to have all the accounting information with a few clicks. 

• Better Control Of Inventory – Wastage of construction materials is a significant issue for construction companies. It becomes challenging to supervise every process of construction and reduce wastage. The software allows the workers to estimate the amount of materials required for a particular work, give requisition accordingly and minimize wastage. Thus, the cost of construction is kept within control. 

• Helps Complete The Project In Time – Using this software, it becomes easier to manage the work and keep a check on the flow of work, which eventually results in better control and less error. All this ensures faster completion of the project. The software helps the organization overcome the bottlenecks and complete the project with minimum delay. 

​The use of technology is inevitable, and it finds application across different construction works. The benefits are convincing, and technological intervention promises good results.  Make sure that you understand your project requirements, and based on it, you choose the right software. 

​​Author Bio: My name is Layla Flinn. I am a writer by profession and love to share my written blogs and thoughts about Home Improvement, business, and various topics. This time I have written about Use Construction Management Software And Experience The Difference

​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.

​What started out with hand tools and long deadlines has evolved and changed over the centuries. A fleet of heavy equipment is the lifeblood of the construction industry, and without it, keeping up with the myriad projects that come across your desk every year would be nearly impossible.
 
We all know and understand that maintenance is part of owning and operating a fleet, but waiting for things to break down before you repair them isn’t smart or cost-effective. Preventive maintenance is the best option, allowing you to get ahead of problems before they take your equipment offline. So what should be on your preventive maintenance checklist?

​Before you start, the best place to begin is with paperwork and documentation. Each piece of equipment should have its own file of paperwork, detailing its usage and maintenance history. This should also tell you the last time this particular equipment got inspected and when it’s due for its next one.
 
In addition to helping you keep track of preventive maintenance inspections, this paper trail also serves as a maintenance history if you ever decide to sell your equipment in preparation for an upgrade. If you at any point decide to incorporate AI and machine learning into your maintenance program, this detailed information will provide a baseline for the programs to work from.
 
With a complete maintenance history, a machine learning program could even potentially predict when a piece of equipment needs to be taken offline for repairs or retired.

​The exact details of each vehicle’s maintenance schedule will vary depending on the make and model, how old it is, what type of equipment it is, and how often it gets used. However, this checklist can serve as a guide and foundation for nearly any item in your construction fleet.

 Look for Any Visible Damage
You won’t always find it, but sometimes problem indicators can present in ways that are easy to spot. A leaky gasket might show as a crack or a puddle of fluid beneath the vehicle, for example.

Brakes
This should include both standard and emergency brakes. Ensure the brakes are operational and the brake fluid is topped off. Have someone stand behind the equipment while you press the brakes to ensure the indicator lights work - well of course not directly behind where they could be in the path of the machine should it suddenly go backwards.

Batteries
Batteries tend to die at the most inopportune times. Inspect the battery and be on the lookout for problems such as corrosion or battery swelling. Batteries should be load tested regularly and replaced when their health starts to fail.

Controls and Steering
Put all the controls and steering operations through their paces to ensure everything is operational. Note any places where the steering feels sluggish or unresponsive.

Fluids and Filters
Check the fluid levels before each workday. For filters, make sure you’re replacing them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most filters are difficult to inspect for functionality, but a quick once-over is always good to ensure they’re not leaking.

Engines or Power Sources
A piece of construction equipment becomes an elaborate paperweight if the engine doesn’t start. Inspect the machine or batteries for electric vehicles, and ensure they are in good working order.

Lights
Check headlights and other lighting features at the beginning of each shift to ensure they’re all operational. Note any burned-out bulbs or lenses that look dull or cloudy, as all of these need to be addressed.

Safety Indicators
No one likes to see a safety indicator light glowing on their dash, but they’re there for a reason. Check for any new safety indicator lights when you start the vehicle for the first time. If any are present, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how to proceed.

Operator Safety Features
Seatbelts, mirrors, and other features designed to keep the operator safe come next. Ensure everything is working correctly, and don’t be afraid to take a vehicle out of rotation if something isn’t right.

Tires or Treads
​The exact details of this checkpoint will vary depending on the equipment, but whether a vehicle has tires, treads, rollers, or some combination, they need to be inspected at the beginning of each shift. Any problems, from embedded nails to cracked treads, should be reported.

​Pneumatic Systems
​This won’t apply to every piece of equipment, but for anything that uses pneumatic or hydraulic systems to raise, lower, and manipulate arms and buckets, daily inspections are essential. These systems are kept under high pressure, and it won’t take much for a small leak or a bit of damage to cascade into something devastating.

​Inspecting your construction fleet each day may seem like a waste of time, but preventive maintenance is worth the investment. Don’t skip an inspection day — you may find yourself missing something small that takes the entire machine offline for lengthy and costly repairs.
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Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. ​

​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.

Subcontractors often play an important part on our projects.
When they fail Project Managers are quick to point the finger of blame at their Subcontractor.
But, perhaps the Subcontractor is not entirely to blame.
Often problems with Subcontractors start long before the Subcontractor begins work.

• The wrong Subcontractor is selected. A Subcontractor who does not have:

1. The experience.
2. The resources.
3. The financial means.
4. Pride in their work.

Read choosing a subcontractor

• The Subcontractor is not provided the correct project scope, or project conditions when they price the project.
• The contract between the Contractor and the Subcontractor has omitted critical details, or has ambiguities and errors.
• The Subcontractor made an error when they priced the work and they cannot complete the project for their price

In this article we look at preparing the scope of works that the Subcontractor must price. ​

Failure to allocate work correctly could result in:

• Work being missed that has to be later added to a Subcontractor’s work as a variation or change order.

1. This could cause delays.
2. It will result in extra costs which were not budgeted for.
3. The variation is often more expensive than if the item had been priced by the Subcontractor originally.

• It could result in duplication with more than 1 Subcontractor allowing for the item.
• Work packages which are too large may limit the number of Subcontractors available to take on the work.
• Work packages which are too small could deter some Subcontractors, even increase the overall costs.
• Work packages requiring a mixture of skills could deter Subcontractors.
• Subcontractors may take on tasks they aren’t capable of doing

It's important to get the Subcontractor's scope of works right and articulate this brief in their pricing documentation and contract document. Failure to prepare the scope of works correctly could result in items being missed and extra costs during construction.
In our next article we consider what should be included in the Subcontractor pricing documentation so that they can price the works correctly. What to include in Subcontractor pricing documentation

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.
One reader said: "I felt impelled to message you as I purchased your book, and wanted to thank you for the content, it has been very helpful."
Visit to read more.
The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.

Unfortunately contractors lose money on construction projects. Sometimes this happens more frequently than it should, and it can lead to contractors becoming bankrupt, and clients being left with an incomplete project.

Inevitably the contractor's management will be upset and blame the construction project manager for these losses. In previous articles  What do you do when your construction project is LOSING money? and Is your construction project losing money? Do you want to find out why? we discussed how important it was for project managers to find the cause of the losses, and to take action to stop further losses and if possible recover the losses already incurred. We mentioned that there were often several reasons for losses and project managers needed to understand the underlying problem. Some reasons why projects lose money

Unfortunately some project managers take the wrong actions and try and cut costs where they shouldn't. This often leads to further problems.

Although there will always be pressure to cut costs, especially on a construction project that’s losing money, you should never be tempted to cut costs by taking shortcuts, by falsifying test results, by using inferior products or materials that are the wrong specification, by ignoring good safety practices, by omitting materials, or using materials that are smaller or thinner than stipulated. This could lead to accidents, or structural defects that have to be rectified later. Inevitably they will impact reputation when the client finds out, as they almost certainly will. These ‘cost saving’ measures may help your construction project in the short-term, but they could tarnish your reputation, and the reputation of your company, for a very long time. So, even if these measures are encouraged or sanctioned by your senior management, never be part of these actions.

In addition, you should never try and make money from your subcontractors and suppliers by withholding money which is legitimately due to them. Nor should you impose back-charges on them for no valid reason. Your company will have other projects to construct, and subcontractors who have had to battle to be paid, or who feel they have been cheated of money, will be reluctant to work with your company again, or they will increase their prices to contend with these unfair practices. Ultimately your company will pay more. In fact when pricing new projects, if your company doesn’t get competitive quotes from subcontractors and suppliers then your company’s price will be uncompetitive, which will jeopardise your company’s chances of winning other projects.
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Subcontractors who are paid on time and are dealt with fairly will usually try and help the contractor out when they’re in trouble (help you get the project finished), they will want to work for your company again, and they almost certainly will give your company their best price.

No matter how bad the project losses, never sacrifice safety or reputation to save money. If you cannot find the reason for the losses, or cannot do anything to prevent the loss, you must just buckle down and get the project finished as quickly as possible, and at least deliver a quality project to a happy client, which could lead to further construction projects, which will hopefully be profitable. At least salvage something from the loss!

​Of course knowing early that your project is losing money could help you take mitigating actions sooner to prevent the loss becoming worse. The CONSTRUCTION project MANAGER'S financial duties.

​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.

​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.

​Sometimes construction projects involve demolition of existing structures. On occasion clients change their minds after a structure has been built and they require the newly completed structure demolished, or a hole cut in it. Regrettably, on occasion contractors make mistakes, or work is of a poor quality, so a completed structure must be broken down. Demolition work is often dangerous and must be done with care.

Before demolitions starts, all hazardous materials must be identified and removed separately, where required demolition permits must be in place, electrical, gas and water supplies must be cut-off to the structures and the lines made safe, all salvageable material should be removed, safety steps must be in place to prevent injuries to workers and the public, exclusion zones must be clearly marked and enforced so that falling debris don’t injure people or damage property, steps must be implemented to minimise dust, areas to be demolished or removed must be clearly marked so that there’s no confusion or risk of the wrong structure being demolished, the right equipment must be used (equipment that’s too big may result in excessive vibrations or loads damaging other structures) and rubble should not be allowed to accumulate where it could block access or cause overloading to structures.
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But, even on a normal construction site, often contractors have to cut or drill holes through walls and concrete slabs to make way for pipes and utilities. Cutting a wall brace could make the whole structure unstable, and it could collapse when there’s a strong wind or an external load is imposed on the structure. It’s hard to think that cutting one brace (sometimes only a few inches thick) could cause a whole steel structure to collapse, but unfortunately it has happened. Similarly, care must be taken when cutting holes in a concrete floor slab. Cutting through vital reinforcing could weaken the slab causing it to sag and crack. Some concrete slabs have tensioned cables and cutting one or more of these can lead to a serious failure. Therefore, always take care when cutting structures, in fact check with the design engineer that the hole can safely be cut there. Always check first before cutting.

Cutting and demolishing structures can be dangerous. Always thoroughly understand the risks and make sure the team takes the appropriate safety measures. Where necessary have an engineer check the structure before cutting or demolition works start. Always check that you are cutting in the right place - you wouldn't want to cut an opening in the wrong place, or demolish the wrong structure.

​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.

​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.