Increase profits by reduce material wastage on construction projects

"Typically construction projects generate piles of waste"

​At the end of every construction project I’ve been involved with there have been surplus construction materials left over. These are often as a result of:

1. the incorrect quantity of material being ordered

2. duplicate orders being placed

3. material of the wrong specification or size being ordered Do Your Material Deliveries Suck? How to avoid problems

4. the material supplied was of an inferior quality and couldn’t be used

"Waste resulting from client changes must be claimed"

​Of course sometimes the surplus material is a result of the client changing drawings after the material has been procured, in which case the client should be charged for these, and they should be handed over to them.
​#constructionmanagementtips #contractors

Causes of wastage in construction

Other causes of construction wastage are as a result of:

1. Material breakages due to it being damaged during transport, offloading, handling, or using the incorrect installation procedures. Sometimes some of the damage can be avoided by changing the way the material is packaged, han​dled or transported. For instance if material is palletised by the supplier – which could be at an additional cost – not only can the material be offloaded and handled more easily, thus reducing costs, but there will also be fewer breakages. ​Handling construction materials

2. Contamination of construction materials which is a particular problem with concrete aggregates, or road building materials, which become contaminated when they’re mixed with other materials, or with the ground they’re dumped on. Sometimes trucks aren’t cleaned properly between products, resulting in the next product being contaminated. Occasionally goods aren’t handled correctly at the supplier and become contaminated there.

3. Products being applied incorrectly because:

a. they aren’t prepared or mixed correctly which results in the work having to be redone

b. the product may be applied too thickly – for instance concrete slabs may be formed and poured too thickly, paint and epoxy coatings applied too thickly, or joints formed too wide requiring additional sealant material

4. More product is mixed than can be used, resulting in the unused product having to be discarded.
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5. Incorrect storage, which may result in materials being damaged by water, dust or heat. planning deliveries to construction sites

6. Keeping construction materials beyond their shelf life which results in the material having to be discarded.

7. Poor housekeeping on a construction project may result in materials being mislaid or damaged by being walked or driven over.

8. Materials are supplied in standard lengths or sizes which usually have to be trimmed to fit where they’re required. Often the offcuts can’t be used elsewhere. Sometimes it's possible to order products in a different length or size which may reduce the amount of offcuts and wastage.

9. Poor quality work has to be redone.

10. Completed work isn't protected and is damaged by follow on trades, or the weather, resulting in it having to be replaced.

Poor housekeeping on a construction project

​The true cost of waste in construction

​The additional costs to the construction project are not only the direct cost of the additional construction materials but also includes:

1. offloading, handling and storing them

2. the cost to dispose of the additional, broken or contaminated construction material which includes:

a. handling and loading the waste and surplus construction material

b. transport to the dump

c. dump fees

Reducing construction wastage

"Every dollar saved in reducing construction material wastage is an extra dollar of profit."

​With a little extra care a large portion of this construction wastage can be reduced or eliminated, especially if some thought is exercised when the construction materials are ordered. Every dollar saved in reducing construction material wastage is an extra dollar of profit.
Construction waste
This project plans to reduce waste
#constructionwaste #constructionmanagement #constructionmaterials

This information is from Paul Netscher's book 'Successful Construction Project Management: The Practical Guide'
​© 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

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"This book helps with practical tips learned from real experiences. A must read book for the people who are involved in construction projects, especially project managers."  (Reader - Amazon.com)

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully

​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.
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