There are different factors that constitute a construction project – from goal-setting, planning, budgeting and costing to communicating with your client and collaborating between your contractor, designers, manager and other members of your team. For a construction project to run smoothly, it must finish within the time and budget set for it.
Whether a construction project is residential, commercial, industrial or environmental, it is important that it runs with less problems as possible. To ensure a smooth construction project, make sure that you consider the following elements.
Goal setting
Before you begin a project, you must first set your goal with your client. Setting the goal will be beneficial because this will be the basis for all your objectives. Knowing the client’s goal will help you plan, organize, delegate tasks, help you run your course and stay focused. Goal setting is also a prerequisite for planning. It also acts to guide your employees so they can perform their best.
Planning
Planning is probably the most essential step in any construction project. It is the stage where you define the tasks at hand, choose the technology you will need, see the resources and finalize the tasks and the duration to accomplish them. Plan and schedule activities to manage your project progress. A plan is an outline of your activities at a given time so it is crucial to have one to keep your operation smoothly running and without problems. Know your time frame and fit your schedule into it. This encourages you to make rational decisions and solutions regarding tasks and problems. A plan is also your guide to fixing your budget and building your schedule so you can be more efficient.
Budgeting
Discuss the budget with your team and understand your company’s overall construction costs. Assess your resources and work within your limits. Create a construction budget template so you can keep track of all your expenses. Budgeting will help you control how you are going to spend your money and help you set your priorities.
Costing
Write down all the materials and resources for your project and keep your receipts. By recording all your costs on a ledger will help you keep track of your expenses and maximize your profits. After checking and reviewing your costs, you can see if you are staying within the budget as you go along the project.
A successful construction project is one where these elements have been considered and taken care of. Planning and sticking to the plan may not sound easy but it’s a start if you want a smooth running project.
Written by Kent Murdock, owner of Randy Adams Construction in Columbia, MO. Randy Adams Construction is one of the premiere companies for construction in Columbia, MO.
