Establishing a construction business can lead to lucrative rewards. There is a continuous demand for construction services and if you are business savvy you can expand your company as time goes on.
However, there are more risks associated with construction than the majority of other industries. If you are planning on opening your first construction site, there are several things you need to be aware of to keep your staff safe and your profits high.
The Key to Running a Construction Business: Strong Site Management
Managing Construction Site Budget
Preparing a meticulous financial plan helps prevent you from over spending, which reduces outgoing costs. It also conveys to clients that you can reliably complete tasks to the allocated budget.
Here are some of the ways you can manage your budget to keep profits as high as possible:
- Estimate project costs: This includes staff costs, materials, equipment, and insurance.
- Use an Excel spreadsheet to track all your costs.
- Purchase your stock in bulk for cheaper prices.
- Mid-project audits enable you to keep an eye on the budget and identify overspending early on.
Clear workflow facilitates a smooth working process, ensuring that tasks are completed on time in the correct order.
Keep the Water Flowing at All Times
Running water is a necessity in working environments, especially in the construction industry.
Working in construction can be physically demanding, which is why drinking water is essential for staff health. In practical terms, it is used for cement mixing, and helps with soil compaction and prevents erosion.
In the event of a fire, water provides a shield, so there really are multiple health, safety, and functional reasons why construction sites need it.
Water supply interruptions do happen, and a construction site can’t operate in the event that their supply is unexpectedly cut for the reasons above.
Prepare for water emergencies with contingency planning and water continuity. This will enable you to continue with operations if a water disruption occurs.
Ensure Safety Measures are Put in Place
Ultimately, working in construction does pose some risks.
That is why it is of paramount importance that you create a working environment that is as safe as possible for your staff to avoid injuries, legal issues, and heavy compensation claims.
Knowing how to prevent accidents on a construction site is essential. Here are some of the primary site rules you must follow:
- Emergency arrangements: Clear escape routes need to be planned out in the event of an emergency.
- Phone usage: Staff must not use their phones unless they are in a designated safe area. In the event of an emergency, they should be in a safe zone before contacting someone for help.
- Personal protective equipment: You should supply staff with the necessary uniform for increased safety, including toe-protected boots and hard hats.
All members of staff should be given an induction to explain protocol, first-aid, and their responsibility for their own health and safety.
Technological Safety
The utilisation of technology can help with both practicality and safety on a construction site.
CCTV and drones can help you monitor the site to check everything is running smoothly, giving you an overview of hard-to-reach areas. High end, eight camera CCTV installation costs around £1,500.
Smart helmets keep workers safe by identifying falls and unsafe movements and even helps you track worker fatigue, so that you know when someone is struggling and needs a rest. They start at approximately £200.
IoT sensors effectively identify gas leaks, high temperature fluctuations, and fire hazards, helping enhance the overall site safety.
Having a mobile app for staff to use facilitates quicker communication and gives them instant access to specific plans and safety information.
Conclusion
Now you should have a better understanding of how to build a successful construction business, with both practicality and safety in mind.
For all start up businesses, health and safety should be a priority. But in a sector like construction, it is particularly key to create a working environment that mitigates risks.
Keep an eye on outgoing costs to limit expenditure, and invest in equipment that will make your site thrive.
