“Time is money.” No better phrase describes the importance of keeping a construction project on schedule. When projects run off the scheduling rails – be it from inclement weather or poor communications among team members – the end-result is almost always lost profit and a blow to the construction company’s reputation.
The smart contractor plans for contingencies and aligns all the moving parts into a reasonable schedule.
Following are five ways to keep a construction project on schedule and under budget.
1. Hire the Right People:
Ensure that you hire an experienced construction firm that has built a reputable team of project managers, estimators, and subcontractors. Check references and ensure that they can manage a large-scale construction project. Once selected, a good contractor will develop a manageable schedule and plan for all types of construction activities, from securing permits to site preparation. Depending on the scale of the project, these time-consuming activities could take anywhere from two to six months.
2. Review Construction Plans, Specs & Project Documents:
A reliable contractor keeps a keen eye on detail. They carefully analyze and understand the construction plans, so they are familiar with all aspects of the job. This helps in planning for day-to-day activities, such as material placement, equipment storage, jobsite trailer, break areas, and access points for employees.
3. Communicate & Collaborate:
Open communication is integral to staying on schedule. Capable contractors establish not only solid procedures and protocols to avoid delays, they also establish trusting relationships and communications among all stakeholders. When problems arise – and they will – a good contractor works with the entire team to troubleshoot issues and resolve delays. Good communications improve teamwork, lead to better project collaboration, and increase jobsite productivity.
4. Develop a Contingency Plan
As Murphy’s Law says: “Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.” When that happens in a project, an experienced contractor will have crafted contingency plans in place and ready for immediate execution.
5. Monitor & Analyze Progress Routinely
It’s a rare thing for a project to adhere exactly to the schedule. For that reason, an efficient project manager monitors progress daily, while keeping an eye on the budget and risk management. They also know how to adjust tasks downstream if changes to the schedule arise.
Cycle Construction Company, LLC is a family-owned construction company in New Orleans, Louisiana with 30+ years of experience in managing complex projects of all sizes in a variety of markets, including heavy construction, marine construction, environmental infrastructure, underground utilities, industrial construction, emergency response, heavy haul trucking and waste and specialty trucking.
Call us today to learn more about our construction services or to get a quote, fill out the form below and a Cycle team member will be in touch with you.
Since 1972, Cycle Construction has been delivering top quality heavy civil and marine construction projects in Louisiana and through-out the Gulf South. Our business is based on relationships. We build trusted partnerships with our clients, so that we might better understand their vision. This collaboration allows us to provide customized operations and turnkey solutions that exceed client expectations. You can read some of our client testimonials here.