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Author:

Mid City Lumber

 

High customer expectations, tight budgets and stringent deadlines mean your reputation and your profits are on the line with every renovation or construction project.

And from weather disasters to costly rework requests to subcontractor defaults and other construction delays, there are lots of things that can throw off your construction timeline and inject unwanted costs along the way.

That’s why going beyond the basics to get the little things right from start to finish is key to maintaining control of your new construction project while meeting the seemingly endless challenges facing today’s contractors. Choosing the right contractors or subcontractors, construction planning and proactive scheduling are more important than ever.

Go Big on Detail in Scope of Work

A well-written scope of work sets the tone for successfully managing the project and effectively coordinating communications with clients, manufacturers suppliers and subcontractors.

  • Enlist the input of product manufacturers, material suppliers and subcontractors early in the process.
  • Seek out material suppliers with the expertise to provide trusted guidance on everything from regulatory compliance to choosing the right materials in the appropriate style and quantity for your construction budget.
  • Hire subcontractors who are willing and able to review drawings and other relevant documents to eliminate inconsistencies and ambiguities right up front, before they become bigger headaches down the line.
  • Along with quantifiable goals from the original construction contract, include project management items such as regulations, project limitations and payment methods.
  • Assess historical data from past projects to identify opportunities to improve the new build planning process.

Break Things Down in A Master Schedule

A highly detailed master construction schedule goes a long way toward reducing uncertainty and establishing contingency plans at the outset.

  • Consult with suppliers and subcontractors to verify that they are able to provide all necessary resources, equipment and labor as they are needed, in order to meet each deadline.
  • Assign final deadlines for individual timeline phases and specific tasks within each phase.
  • Plan for the unexpected. For every phase of the project, identify potential disruptions that could cause construction delays or increase costs. Prepare ahead of time to handle unexpected overtime, extra labor or equipment that might be needed.

Monitor and Adapt

Make sure to establish regular contact with suppliers and subcontractors throughout the project and constantly address specific deadlines. Ensure that possible disruptions are being communicated to you in a direct and timely manner.

  • Address any delays and possible cost overruns immediately.
  • Expect proactive communication from your vendors. Is the weather in another region or other problems in the supply chain going to affect the delivery of your supplies? The vendor should communicate these potential construction delays early, along with a contingency plan.
  • Keep records on completed jobs and look for specific ways of improving future project outcomes.

If you’re looking for resources to keep your next new construction project on budget and on schedule, contact MidCity Lumber at any of our locations throughout Missouri. We’ll answer all your questions and offer the convenience of sourcing your project’s building materials from one place.