Here are four simple steps to get you organized before your next project begins. While they may seem fundamental and obvious, we’ve seen the inefficiencies and costly delays that ensue when these steps are overlooked.
1. Start a checklist
It’s the simplest of things. Write down everything you need to do before work can begin on the job site, from permits and licenses to job site storage. Check them off as you go. This will make sure even the small stuff is not forgotten, which you’ll undoubtedly discover at the most inopportune time.
2. Make a timeline
Even small projects can have a lot of moving parts. Permitting, mobile office delivery and getting your team ready are all tasks that move at their own pace. Charting your checklist on a calendar will help you prioritize where to spend your time, from the moment you win the job to the day the first hammer drops.
3. Anticipate delays
If there is one consistent truth in construction, it’s that delays are inevitable. Lost paperwork, bad weather and change orders can throw a big fat wrench into your already tight timeline. The world will never be perfect, so plan on delays and give yourself breathing room when possible. This combined with your timeline and checklist will reveal delays sooner, so you can avoid last-minute surprises that upset your customers.
4. Use every resource at your disposal
You have a good team. And you have the right tools. But it takes more than that to get a job started on time and on budget. One of the best ways to keep your job on track is use suppliers you trust. Ask them if they can help with other services such as portable sanitation, temporary labor, furniture for your mobile office and more. Just a few calls may save you time and money — the two things we all need most.