6 Inexpensive Tricks A Construction Manager Must Know

Construction managers have the best interests of their clients at heart. Therefore, they seek ways to improve the cost-efficiency of projects. These six inexpensive tricks can be further optimized with the use of the best construction management software. This helps managers deliver flawless projects within the deadline and predetermined budget. 

1. Communication

A construction project is founded on a plan that must be well communicated to the whole team. You must know how to communicate effectively as a construction manager.

Know that communication not only places a vital role within your team but also outside. The experts at https://stoner-law.com/ say that when a construction manager fails to communicate with a real estate attorney well, it often paves a path to discrepancies and delays.

Elements of a Good Communication Plan

• Explain the purpose of the projects
• Layout the objectives, how to achieve them and how to measure progress
• Let every team member understand their roles
• Set achievable goals

2. Dry Hire Equipment

For example, enlisting the assistance of a demolition company would mean that you don’t have to purchase this equipment for the project.

Therefore, dry hire equipment (without operators) is recommendable for the following benefits.

• Your initial investment on the equipment is affordable
• You can use one driver to control many types of pieces of machinery. This strategy allows you to save on the number of operators hired
• You will not incur high maintenance costs on equipment

3. Monitor Milestones

Once you have set objectives, you require communication channels to monitor and share progress with the team members. This goal can be accomplished through:

• Calling for regular team meetings
• Sharing minutes for project meetings
• Using a modern app such as Slack to communicate to the team
• Training team members on various aspects of the project

4. Be Involved in Planning

For a construction manager to save a project from cost overrun or failed deadlines, you must be present at every planning stage. You should be involved with the experts such as architects and engineers, and Municipal Plan Review Services. It’s important to have experienced professionals’ assistance with plan review, ordinance review, and building inspection audits.

These are the people who will help you understand the task at hand in terms of costs, resources, and timelines.

Crucial Planning Phases

• Scope of work, for instance, understand what the stakeholders expect from the project
• Planning for resources such as funds, creating schedules, highlighting risks, and employees
• Creating a communication plan to know how information or reports will be shared in the team
• Creating monitoring and control tools that can measure progress, offer feedback and mitigate risks
• Delivery and closure so that you can review the project upon completion

When you are involved in planning, you will save costs because you create better and realistic strategies. For instance, you can pick the right skillset of employees’ to deliver quality and avoid delays.

5. Keep Up With the Data

You can use an application like MP3 to help you monitor data. Multiple activities are happening in the project, and you should be up to date. MP3 keeps cost updates on your fingertips. You can use the information to make changes that will help you save money.

How Data Monitoring Saves Costs

• You can measure success. Are you still on schedule? Do you need more time? If your timelines and delivery are on track, then you are still within budget
• You can create metrics to keep track of the budget and monitor stakeholder satisfaction. You can also measure the variance of the plan against the reality like missed milestones or achieved deadlines.
• You can evaluate your metrics and data provided. If the reports reaching you do not reflect what is on the ground, you should change the app’s dashboard. The app settings should be a close fit for your project.

6. Go for Cost Saving Solutions

You should be in charge of purchasing so that you can vet the suppliers for quality and better prices. As the project manager, you can save costs by using prefabricated materials if the engineers and architects approve the strategy during the planning phase.

Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing

• Do not overlook quality and focus too much on the price tag
• Consult with the team when making orders. For instance, let the engineers advise you on what steel to buy
• Avoid hurried purchases without vetting the suppliers
• Have a system for purchasing, say a procurement team

As you look for ways to cut costs, you must remain professional and buy construction materials to deliver the expected standards.

Overall, construction managers can use these tips to improve their operational efficiency.