When embarking on a construction project, each day that passes on an unfinished site is a day that the space could be open for business and potential revenue is being lost. We understand that time is money and do our best to work efficiently with our clients to meet their deadlines. Here are 4 tips for helping your general contractor stay on schedule and to ensure you’re completing construction projects on time.
Calling your contractor as soon as possible
By bringing your contractor in on the pre-construction planning process early, they will be able to give valuable insight regarding material lead times, permit reviews, and other factors that could impact the overall construction schedule. They will not only set realistic expectations regarding the time needed to complete the project, but they will also be able to work with you to establish a realistic budget so you won’t be surprised by delays and extra costs down the road.
Investing in detailed project plans
The more detailed and thorough the project drawings are from the beginning, the less back and forth will be spent trying to finalize missing information or squeezing in new ideas that come up after the work on site has started. Having detailed plans will help the accuracy of the budgeting and timeline projections in the pre-construction phase as well. Be sure to review all of the plans given to you for approval to ensure all of your material selections are accounted for on the drawings and everything is in the correct place. The fewer changes that need to be made after construction has started, the smoother and more efficient the process will be. This all goes a long way in helping to ensure that you are completing construction projects on time.
Create clear and open lines of communication
With clear lines of communication, your contractor will keep you in the loop every step of the way. They will let you know of anything happening that might affect sub-contractors or any other personnel on-site so they can plan around the construction schedule. They will also let you know of any unforeseen issues that could affect the completion date so you can work together to find a solution as quickly as possible.
Don’t hover
While establishing open lines of communication is encouraged, it is important to remember there is a difference between effective communication with your project manager and hovering over a job-site. Sure, check in with your team on a daily basis to monitor progress, ask important questions, or even just say a quick hello, but leave them to do what they were hired to do. You’ve already made the decision to hire your contractor, so trust your judgment and let them work. If you’re always around chatting and observing, the crew will slow down and your schedule will likely not be met.
Meeting deadlines and working within tight timelines are part of any construction job. Through teamwork, planning, and communication we will work with you every step of the way to avoid speed bumps and ensures you are completing your construction projects on time. Contact Souder Brothers Construction to start your next project today!