As a contractor, you need to avoid these mistakes
Whatever the project you are working on you will face some challenges through the implementation period, these challenges range from safety, the costs issue, and some other estimated challenges. The most important thing is to be prepared for such kinds of challenges in order to get the project done in an easy way and to be able to face any complicated challenges.
there are some common mistakes many contractors are doing, it is important to be aware of these mistakes to be able to avoid them in the future, as it will be the first step towards implementation your projects in the best possible way.
here are 8 of the most common mistakes among contractors and how to avoid them:
- Not think of safety seriously
Safety has always been and will be one of the main things that should be achieved in any work environment, especially construction sites which it more vulnerable to injuries, and therefore contractors who do not take safety seriously will bear a lot of costs. Also, unsafety may lead to injury one Workers or the death of an employee.
In order to achieve safety and avoid accidents in the workplace, the company must provide appropriate tools for the safety of employees such as wearable devices, interconnected devices, heart rate monitors, etc. Moreover, the company must train its employees on how to use these tools properly.
2. Not hiring talented workers
The construction industry is one of the best employers in many countries around the world, yet many of the most skilled construction workers have started working in other jobs, due to the fact that new tools such as artificial intelligence, automation, and data analysis are becoming more common and used in construction, and these tools need to be operated by skilled workers.
As a result, many companies are recruiting unqualified and inefficient workers. It is worth noting that hiring the wrong people leads to increased costs and reduced productivity, in addition to the direct impact of these workers on the safety of the worksite.
To avoid this, the company must recruit the best workers who are qualified enough and to make sure that those workers are able to do the job perfectly.
3. Poor accounting practices
Tracking money and doing calculations is one of the best ways to increase profits, improve productivity and also avoid high costs. Although there are many modern accounting programs that save time and effort and make you able to keep track of your finances in the best way possible, some are still using old accounting methods that have become inappropriate such as spreadsheets, these methods take a long time to report expenses, and thus may hinder you from achieving your financial goals.
To avoid making this mistake you should start using accounting software that will help you to complete the calculations faster, and eliminate the human error that may occur. Dealing with an accounting firm or hiring an accountant is a good way to keep track of your accounts well and keep your books in good order.
4. Inaccurate budget
Budgeting is a key factor in the construction work. Before carrying out any project, you must determine the costs of the project in detail, by calculating the costs of resources, labor and materials used in construction and all other costs, and this will help you to provide more accurate offers to your customers and avoid reducing your profits.
To set your budget more precisely, you can use estimating software that will provide you with precise details such as the cost per square foot of material or the cost per hour worked.
5. The lack of using construction programs
The use of manual techniques in calculations and preparation of construction plans is one of the biggest mistakes committed by contractors, as these old systems lead to reduce productivity, lower the quality of work and increase costs. While contractors see modern technologies and construction programs as a waste of money, these new digital technologies help to win more work, increase profits and improve work quality.
Digital transformation must, therefore, be embraced in construction management software. These programs provide many tools that enable you to access 3D models, automated budgeting and real-time communication, among other assets.
6. Subcontractor mismanagement
The overall quality of the company and the extent of its ability to implement projects with high quality reflected through its subcontractors. A common mistake among contracting companies is hiring the cheapest subcontractors to save money, which ultimately affects the company’s reputation and reduces the quality of work, so the company can lose many projects.
To avoid that mistake, it should be realized that spending money on hiring qualified subcontractors is a profit for the company, as this will save more projects to the company and thus increase profits. Subcontractors should, therefore, be carefully selected by reviewing their previous projects.
7. Not paying attention to equipment
Regular maintenance of equipment is one of the main things to keep in mind. Many contractors neglect regular maintenance to reduce costs, causing unnecessary suspension of work.
One of the best ways to avoid this error is to use sensors that transmit signals in real-time, this will allow you to know which devices need maintenance.
8. Not taking customer concerns seriously
Many contractors ignore their customers’ concerns because of their confidence in their construction experience, which may eventually lead to unsatisfactory projects and thus the loss of these clients.
Therefore, you must listen carefully to the demands and concerns of customers, and focus during the implementation of projects to avoid those concerns to gain customer satisfaction and to execute successful projects.
