Whether you’re new to the game or have been on the scene for a number of years, managing a construction company is possibly one of the most challenging jobs there is. With a multitude of decisions to make daily, many of which can have a huge impact on timescales and finances, how can you be sure you’re making the right choices while feeling the pressures of the job?
In this article, we’ll explore the different options available and give you an insight into some of our top tips on managing a construction business successfully.
How has the construction industry grown?
According to recent research, since 2009 the industry’s CVA has been growing, reaching nearly £112.2 billion in 2017. As of today, the GVA is showing as £123.2 billion, a staggering amount that only seems to be increasing as the years pass. With many councils passing the build of more and more housing developments and revamping of city centres, we expect the industry to only continue to grow and become busier over the coming years.
However, with the ever increasing demand for construction services, it’s vital that these businesses don’t let their standards slip. Doing so could be costly and cause irreversible damage to their reputations. This is why managing a construction business well is so important.
Our top tips for successful management
With dozens of hard-working contractors and employees on site every single day, as well as clients to keep in the loop and machinery to maintain, managing a construction business is challenging. Here are some of our top tips on how to manage yours successfully.
Using software to automate: If you can use software to automate processes then you should. Whether this is to help with lead generation or for estimating and budgeting jobs, having software in place can help speed up processes and keep everything in one central place.
Providing the right tools: Providing your workforce with the right tools to do the job makes a whole world of difference. Whether they need heavy duty machinery or hand tools and power tools to get the job done, make sure you provide them with ones that are high quality and safe.
Setting up an office space: An office gives your employees a place to get together for meetings, coffee breaks and to access important job information. It’s also a space where you can invite clients in to discuss a project, progress or to sign contracts.
Hiring the right team: It’s important to invest in your team, no matter if they’re going to be site or office based. They’re the backbone of your business and will help keep everything running smoothly.
Delegate where possible: Delegation can be tough for some people, but in order to run your business successfully you’ll need to learn to let go of some of the responsibility. If you trust people and give them a task to do, they may surprise you and make your life a lot easier in the long run!
No matter if you’re taking on big or small construction projects, by getting your management and structure nailed down, you’ll be completing jobs swiftly all while keeping clients and employees happy.
