​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.

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!"

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.

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.

​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.