What could be simpler, a drawing is issued to the contractor, the contractor orders materials which are delivered to the project site and the contractor installs them? Yes, it should be simple, but in many cases the process goes wrong, resulting in wasted time, delays to the project, additional costs, and upsets in the relationship with the client. When ordering materials it’s obvious that the correct quantity should be ordered. Sounds easy, but often projects run short of material which results in problems. planning deliveries to construction sites #constructionmaterials #constructionmanagement Problems when a project runs short of construction materialsIf a construction project runs short of a particular item or material it usually creates problems which have both time and cost implications for the project. These include: · if the material is imported it may have to be air-freighted at short notice and enormous cost · the material may not be readily available and take several weeks for the supplier to manufacture the required items · the material may be no longer manufactured (as may be the case with ceramic tiles), and if the contractor is unable to locate material to match those already installed, they may have to rip these out and replace them with other available material · ordering small quantities often adds a premium to the procurement and transport · even if the material is readily available, off-the-shelf from a supplier close to the project, there will be the cost for the contractor’s personnel making a special trip to collect it · sometimes the materials are being installed by a specialist contractor who is now unable to complete their works, which may then cause them to demobilise from site, resulting in additional costs and possible further delays if they can’t return immediately due to their other commitments · shortages disrupt the work since workers employed with the task have to be redeployed to another part of the project, returning only when the correct materials are available · the procurement of the additional materials and organising their transport absorbs a large amount of additional management time · the delay caused to the project by the shortage of materials makes the contractor appear disorganised and unprofessional "So why do projects frequently experience shortages of materials?" Reasons construction projects run short of material · Often it’s simply caused by the Project Manager, Engineer, or Supervisor incorrectly measuring the quantity from the drawing. · Sometimes the Designer or Architect has included the quantity on the drawings but they are incorrect and the contractor orders the quantities from this without checking. It’s therefore good practice for contractors to check the quantities provided on a drawing, since if it’s wrong they could be liable for the error. · No allowance is made for wastage of the material. Items like ceramic tiles or building blocks will generate wastage due to cutting and breakages. An experienced contractor will know what this wastage will be, which often depends on the actual details of where the product is used. Small areas may require detail cutting, which will generate more waste than large, simple areas. Electrical cables are another example since it may not be possible to use the full length of cable because the project specifications or regulations, will not allow the cable to be spliced, leaving all the short bits of cable to be wasted. · The incorrect conversion factor is used, which often occurs with earthworks materials when the incorrect factor is used for converting the loose material into compacted material. (This factor depends on the type of material and the amount of compaction required.) When 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 sheeting. 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 materials in different widths and lengths, reducing the number of joints and therefore the amount of lapping. · Sometimes there is theft on the project, so critical material should always be stored in secure locations. · 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 Project Manager should monitor the application of specialist products, or products that are used in a large quantity on the project. This will enable timely action to be taken to reduce the thickness and wastage, and if necessary to order more material to make up any shortfall. · The incorrect quantity could have been delivered. I’ve seen it happen that a project ran out of a material, the Project Manager contacted the supplier and arranged for additional material to be delivered. Shortly thereafter the remaining material from the original order arrived followed by the additional material requested. This results in excess material remaining at the end of the project and causes wasted effort and cost. It’s good practice when an unexpected shortfall occurs, that the reason behind it be investigated before ordering the additional material. But what happens when there’s a surplus of construction materials on the project? "Why are there often surplus materials left at the end of many projects?" The cost of excess construction materials"The cost of excess material is more than just the original purchase cost" Of course, the opposite can happen too, with a surplus of material left at the end of the project. Almost every project I’ve been involved with has ended up with materials left over. This is a waste of money because: · the contractor has purchased material which is not required, although sometimes the material can be returned to the supplier for credit, it’s seldom they will refund the full original cost even if the material hasn’t been damaged while in storage or transit, and is still in its original packaging · there are costs of transporting, offloading and storing the surplus materials · there are the additional costs to transport and dispose of the surplus material (disposing of the material can be a significant cost which may include tip fees, and, with some chemicals, additional hazardous waste disposal fees) Reasons why surplus construction material remain at the end of projectsThe reasons for having surplus material are: · similar to the reasons that result in there being a shortage of material · the client may have changed drawings omitting items after the contractor had already procured them · the contractor may have accidently omitted the item from the structure · that it may have been applied in thinner layers than specified · that it may have been mixed incorrectly It would be pertinent to investigate the cause of the surplus material since some of the above reasons could have serious consequences for the contractor. When ordering bulk materials like fuel, cement, concrete aggregates or road materials, nearing the completion of the project it’s prudent to carefully plan deliveries, ensuring there is only a minimal amount of unused material left on the project. Take care when ordering construction materialsIt’s worth spending extra time to ensure you order the correct quantities of materials. Where necessary ask for expert advice to determine the normal wastage factors. This could avoid costly and embarrassing mistakes. Do Your Material Deliveries Suck? How to avoid problems #constructionmanagementtips #constructionprojectmanagement View similar articles by the Author – visit the index of construction articles on this website This article is adapted from the author's books. To read more about these books and find out where you can purchase them visit the pages on this website by clicking the links below:
'Successful Construction Project Management: The Practical Guide' 'Building a Successful Construction Company: The Practical Guide' 'Construction Book reviews' To read more about the author visit the page 'Paul Netscher' Want to contact Paul Netscher please enter your details on 'Contacts' © 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. construction management construction project management
56 Comments
17/2/2017 10:17:34 am
That's a good tip to include wastage when ordering supplies. That way you'll account for breakages and cutting. I bet managers have a percent that they apply to account for waste.
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5/8/2017 02:51:02 am
It is important to calculate and plan the budget properly.
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4/10/2017 11:09:34 pm
Thanks for sharing! I'm remodelling my house, so now I'm looking for good construction materials. It's awesome you mentioned that ordering small quantities can add additional expenses to the transportation services.I'll definitely discuss these tips with the specialists!
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11/4/2018 11:59:09 pm
I think what you said was interesting about the material being incorrectly applied on the project. This seems to happen very often when materials are used in construction and then we noticed that it was done incorrectly and need to tear it down. These are very good tips to keep in mind to keep in mind for working more efficiently and effectively. Thanks!
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26/4/2018 06:45:41 am
A couple days ago my brother called me to up date me on a project that he is involved in. He wants to let me know about the various aspects of the project like how he will be working with construction supplies. It would help him a lot that there are cases of surplus materials, but that some can be returned.
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20/7/2018 12:13:53 pm
That's interesting that there are times when the supplier did not delivery all of the ordered material at once so the Project Manager orders more and then gets the rest of the first order along with the second which ends up as surplus. It would be smart for a construction company to work with a supplier that would ensure that all the materials would be delivered at one time or at least inform them if the entire order has not been delivered yet. So the construction company may benefit from reviews of suppliers and those who would be honest about their dealings and if there are mistakes so extra supplies won't be ordered.
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Paul
6/8/2018 05:39:19 pm
Hi Hazel,
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Paul
26/8/2018 11:57:29 am
Hi Ridley. thanks for your comments. You're right, much of the waste in construction is avoidable through better planning and management.
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12/11/2018 05:27:26 am
HI Paul, I agree with you this was a excellent informative post you have shared on this page about the construction companies with the The realization of a construction project involves a group of stakeholders who provide their services during the design, administrative procedures, site management, and realization of the various elements that will constitute the house or building and the reception of the completed structure. It is possible to distinguish the companies who provide technical expertise and the contractors that carry out the actual construction works, earthworks, structural works and finishing works.
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7/12/2018 12:18:54 pm
I'm glad that you mention how it's important to make allowance for potential wasted materials due to breakages and other problems. Once you know the amount you need, it would probably be a good idea to research potential suppliers of builders hardware by going online. This could help you find one that can provide quality materials, helping you lessen the breakage and other problems while also helping you get better results.
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Paul
7/12/2018 01:56:23 pm
Hi Tiffany, thanks, you right it is important to discuss with suppliers, in particular understand how the materials will be packed, what sizes they come in and how you'll handle them on site. Packages which are too large may have to be unpacked on site risking breakages. While inadequate packaging may result in breakages when the material is transported and handled on the project.
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I agree with you when you said that it's better to order extra materials than ordering the exact quantity because of the situations that may lead you to run short. I'm planning to renovate our house, and I'm looking for ways to make the process better. Your article gives me an idea to avoid delays. Thanks for sharing this.
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Paul
25/2/2019 06:22:33 am
Hello Bree, I'm pleased you found the article useful. My book 'Build and Renovate Your Home With Your Eyes Wide Open' provides more useful information for those planning or renovating their house.
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23/7/2019 01:14:23 am
BIM stands for Building Information Modelling. It’s a huge advancement in how consultants create and represent building data – shifting from 2D drawings into detailed data models containing real scale virtual objects – that I can utilise when creating project cost plans and estimations in my role as Senior Estimator & Cost Planner. This object data improves collaboration, coordination, construction clash and coordination issues and changes our estimating process from drawing interpretation to Data management.
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30/7/2019 05:55:13 am
What could be simpler, a drawing is issued to the contractor, the contractor orders materials which are delivered to the project site and the contractor installs them? Yes, it should be simple, but in many cases the process goes wrong, resulting in wasted time, delays to the project, additional costs, and upsets in the relationship with the client.
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14/1/2020 12:48:27 am
My uncle told me that he is looking to buy all the materials to remodel his house. I like how you said that often, construction materials run short in a project. I will recommend him to rent a dump truck to transport as many materials as possible at once.
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27/7/2020 04:46:30 am
That is a very interesting topic. However, I would like to comment on the case of the Employer issuing a variation after the Contractor has already purchased the material. If the Contractor purchased the material at the right time according to an agreed procurement plan, shouldn't he be compensated for the purchased material and its ownership should be transferred to the Employer ?
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Paul
27/7/2020 10:40:36 am
Hello Mohamed you are correct. The contractor should be compensated for materials ordered providing that they are transferred to the client. However the contractor should also notify the client as soon as possible after receiving the instruction that the materials have been ordered and will now be wasted. This provides the client an opportunity to rescind the instruction if they don't want to incur the additional costs. The contractor should also prove that they have taken reasonable steps to avoid the extra costs by perhaps cancelling the order if the supplier allowed and it was not too late.
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23/2/2021 07:21:48 am
My mom has been thinking about getting a truck to hire that she can use to move materials in order to be more effective. She would really like to get some help from a professional in order to have the right area, and space. I liked what you said about how the material can be applied to the project with the right amount of thickness. to apply them correctly.
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11/3/2021 11:14:46 pm
I appreciated it when you shared that it is important for the project manager to monitor how the materials are being used during the construction. This will help to avoid wasting too many products that will only incur losses to the company. I would like to think if someone is working on a project, he should consider getting concrete mix from a reliable supplier.
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15/3/2021 09:38:36 pm
Stunning post! Thanks for the excellent presentation of your outline.
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16/3/2021 10:14:37 pm
The facts that have been discussed here are really important. Thank you so much for sharing a great post.
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20/4/2021 06:57:58 pm
Thanks for sharing this great blog about order the correct quantities of construction materials. This is great informative blog. Please keep sharing such type of information.
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14/6/2021 01:50:06 pm
I just read your article about how one of the keys to success is ordering materials. It's so interesting- I know exactly what you mean. When ordering materials it's obvious that the correct quantity should be ordered. That way you can find an in-stock item for the best price and avoid shortages.
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14/6/2021 03:58:15 pm
I just read your article and it was awesome! I especially liked the part about how to order the correct quantities of construction materials. I remember the time when I was starting out in construction. As someone have seen a lot of errors due to improper calculation tips, this really resonated with me.
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16/6/2021 04:04:23 pm
Great Inspiring post! Thanks for sharing it . I would like to appreciate your content and piece of great information. I am new blogger and your post helping me alot.
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5/7/2021 01:59:53 pm
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
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5/7/2021 02:00:34 pm
This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Thanks
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7/10/2021 03:04:43 pm
I saw that you posted an awesome article and I wanted to say thanks for sharing your thoughts! It was a pleasure reading through it.
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1/3/2022 06:52:59 pm
It got me when you said that a construction project should have enough materials to avoid problems that can affect the timeline. I would imagine that any construction manager would want to avoid delays that can affect their operations. I think they should look for a reliable company that can provide quality building materials with competitive pricing.
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It's interesting to know that some materials would have to be installed by those who specialize in them which causes some additional costs. I guess property owners should be aware of that when they hire a commercial construction general contractor, so they can include those in their budget. Proper planning for their budget will definitely be important, in my opinion, so they will not get short in other aspects of opening a business soon.
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Just came across this post, and I love it! I had the same exact experiences as outlined in this post, which ultimately led me to build a platform where contractors can order building materials directly from the design. Would love your input into what we're building to make sure we're building the best tool to get an overview of suppliers, sub-contractors, materials, waste and costs.
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3/8/2022 12:34:20 am
It captivated me the most when you shared that ordering small quantities is usually costly for procurement and transport. My friend told me that their project needs rural supplies. I should advise him to look for a supplier that offers both rural and industrial supplies.
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17/8/2022 03:16:16 pm
You've written it so nicely, and you've come up with some great ideas. This is a fantastic post!
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26/10/2022 12:57:01 am
I like how you mentioned that preventing concrete problems could also avoid implications for every project. My uncle informed me the other day that he was planning to build a barn made of concrete for a storage unit. He asked if I had any idea where would be the best option to buy concrete supplies. I appreciate this instructive article. I'll tell him that he can consult a well-known concreting construction supply company in town as they can answer all their inquiries.
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22/1/2023 08:54:46 pm
I love that you talked that you should always consider having a structural-grade material for an efficient project time. My friend mentioned a couple of days ago that he was looking for lumber wood supplies because he was planning to build a new wall paneling for a durable function in their residence. He asked if I had thoughts on the best option to consider. I value this enlightening article, I'll tell him that he can consult a well-known building materials company for details about their supplies.
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29/3/2023 09:25:10 pm
I need to get construction materials for an upcoming project I'm working on. It makes sense that I would need to ensure that I get enough materials to start with! I'll be sure to do my best when predicting how much materials I'll need for this.
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1/6/2023 05:24:00 pm
I know your expertise on this. I must say we should have an online discussion on this. Writing only comments will close the discussion straight away! And will restrict the benefits from this information.
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22/6/2023 05:59:24 pm
fantastic article I couldn't agree more with the author's emphasis on how important it is for projects to order the proper quantities of construction materials. It all comes down to finding the ideal balance between not ordering excessively, minimizing waste, and making sure you have enough materials on hand to finish the job efficiently.
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29/9/2023 07:58:21 pm
Knowing more about purchasing the proper quantity of building supplies is beneficial. I like how you stated that inaccuracies in gauging are frequently the root of shortages. I believe that was totally preventable!
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16/10/2023 05:59:06 pm
Great article! This insightful piece highlights the importance of careful planning and accurate estimation. It's a must-read for anyone involved in construction projects. thanks for shedding light on this essential aspect of project management
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19/10/2023 02:05:09 am
Really nice and useful info. Plus, I think the style and design of your site is great.
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20/10/2023 04:20:15 pm
This post is a great reminder of the importance of ordering the right quantities of construction materials for your project. Overordering can lead to unnecessary expenses and storage issues, while underordering can cause delays and frustration. Planning and accurate estimation are key to a successful construction project. Thanks for sharing this helpful advice!
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20/10/2023 11:05:20 pm
Thank you for sharing this valuable information! Your posts are always a source of knowledge and inspiration.
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23/10/2023 09:50:33 pm
Great post! Ordering the correct quantities of construction materials is so crucial for any project. It not only helps in cost efficiency but also ensures smooth progress and reduces wastage. Planning and communication with suppliers are key, and this article provides some valuable insights on how to do just that. Thanks for sharing!
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11/11/2023 08:46:36 am
Last weekend, my cousin was telling us about her newest construction project and the type of materials she needs to order to get started. She needs lumber and other framing materials, so I'll ensure she gets your tuips now. Thanks for explaining that buying more material than needed leads to costly budget mistakes.
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23/12/2023 06:18:06 pm
I can see the effort and time you put into crafting this post. It's evident that you're passionate about what you write. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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30/12/2023 12:27:18 pm
I can see you took a lot of time and effort to write this content. Your writing clearly demonstrates your passion. I appreciate you sharing your expertise.
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8/1/2024 11:09:43 pm
Fantastic article! This enlightening article emphasises the significance of meticulous preparation and precise estimation. Anyone working on construction projects should read it. I appreciate you bringing this crucial component of project management to light.
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23/4/2024 12:01:55 pm
Effective planning and communication with suppliers are crucial elements, and this article offers valuable insights into achieving success in these areas. Appreciate you sharing it!
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21/5/2024 11:47:03 am
This is helpful and interesting, thanks for sharing! Running short on materials can lead to significant disruptions, highlighting the importance of meticulous planning and communication with suppliers.
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14/6/2024 10:43:25 am
This is helpful and interesting, thanks for sharing! The detailed breakdown of the issues caused by running short on materials during construction projects is enlightening. It emphasizes the importance of accurate planning and management to avoid costly delays.
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