Managing a construction site is hard work. A good construction manager must keep the project on budget and on schedule, as well as in accordance with any relevant codes, laws, and guidelines. There are a lot of factors to keep track of, so you must be competent in order to make your job easier. Your job will impact the project itself, as well as the profits made and the time that is taken. Here are the top tips to effectively manage a construction site.
- Recognize the codes. It can often be shocking just how much red tape there is when you’re building something, even on simple projects. Every city and state will have slightly different rules, laws, and codes that you will have to contend with. It’s very important that you know what you’re getting into from the start, as these codes will change your agenda and budget. Meet with the local building inspector to make sure you’re familiar with the requirements of your region.
- Map out your schedule correctly and efficiently. On a construction site, it’s important to always be on schedule. As a site manager, this is your job. The key to planning in a way that keeps things on track is to lock in on the regions where you’re most assured, and give yourself more flexibility in areas where problems are more likely to come up.
- Get bids from subcontractors. It might seem easier to just choose a subcontractor that you’ve used before or just use the first one you find. In the same way that you had to bid on the construction job in the first place to get it, you should get your potential subcontractors should bid for you. By doing this, you get a more precise idea of the budget and time frame, and you can get the most for your money. Your subcontractors should work for you and earn your business.
- Keep a close eye on the whole thing. Once work gets going and everything has been planned, you might think it’s time to take a step back. This sets you up for problems. Once the work has been started, you need to follow along with everyone, assisting when you’re needed, and commending those doing a good job. Your role is to be ready to respond, whether it’s to help overcome a challenging terrain or order more temporary power points from someone like ATI Electrical.
- Use the best software that you can. It’s tough to keep a close eye on everything that goes on on a construction site. If you’re trying to do this by yourself, you’re going to find it almost impossible. This is why you need project management construction software. With this software, you can track your budget more closely to make sure it is staying within your original estimate. Software like this also has reactive technology built into it, so if something doesn’t go to plan, the software can change things. You can relax a little, knowing you’re prepared to face any challenge.
