You have heard horror stories of people that have hired cowboy builders. This can make you hesitant when it comes to hiring a builder for your construction project. However, you still need a contractor to build a home. A cowboy builder has no qualifications or licensing. This puts you at the risk of ending up with a poorly built house. Even worse, you can end up losing money to a cowboy builder that won’t do anything for you. That’s why you need these tips for avoiding cowboy builders.

Check Accreditation

Does the builder have any accreditation? Contractors may not be required to have specific qualifications by the law. However, there are schemes that a contractor can join as proof of their credentials.

Therefore, find out whether the builder that you want to hire has any accreditation. If the contractor has the accreditation, find out more about the scheme that provides it. Make sure that the scheme is government-endorsed and non-profit.

Get References

Don’t work with a builder that can’t provide references. You want to be sure that the contractor is not experimenting with your construction project. Therefore, ask the builder to provide references for their work. Check out the projects that the contractor has completed. You can talk to their past clients about their experiences if possible.

Settle for a Safe Payment Plan

If a builder wants you to pay them a hefty amount of money upfront, consider it a red flag. Ideally, you should settle for a payment plan that ensures your safety. For instance, you can agree to pay the contractor after the completion of milestones. That means you will be paying the contractor for the work they have done.

A cowboy builder can make your construction project the worst nightmare. That’s why you should be careful when hiring a contractor. Follow these tips to ensure that you give your contract to a reputable, professional builder. …

5 Crucial Phases of a Construction Project

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According to Austin from Southwest Appliance Repair in Houston, he shares with me one day, that dealing with various construction companies throughout the year, that every construction project has 5 crucial stages. These are the most important phases to pay keen attention to during a construction project. They are as follows.

Initiation

This is the initial stage of a construction project. It involves the evaluation of the work to be done. During this stage, the project manager and the owner conduct an extensive feasibility study. This involves the examination of the project to determine whether it aligns with the set objectives in different phases. The feasibility test determines whether a construction project is worth pursuing.

Planning

Construction project planning follows the initiation phase. This stage entails the identification of the work to be done. The involved team comes up with a road map for the project. The required resources are also identified. What’s more, the strategy for acquiring them is also formulated.

Project planning also involves setting specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals. Construction project goals should also be collaborative, limited in their scope, emotional, capable of being refined, and appreciable. A construction project plan should also outline the tasks, time frames, and dependencies. A budget should also be included in the plan. This should include cost estimates for labor, materials, and equipment.

Execution

This phase of a construction project requires most of the time. Communication is very important during this phase. The stipulated budget should also be followed. To be successful, the execution phase should include a professional team, properly allocated resources, task assignments, status meetings, management plans, project schedule updates, tracking systems, and project plan modification.

Monitoring of Performance

At this phase, the project manager monitors the performance of the involved teams. It’s focused on ensuring that quality is not compromised in any way. The project manager ensures that the involved teams stick to the stipulated budget and maintain their peak performance. What’s more, project managers ensure that quality deliverables and project objectives are met.

Closing

This is the final phase of a construction project. It entails reviewing the work done and comparing it with the objectives set when starting the project. Once confident that everything has been done according to the expectations of the client, necessary documents are handed over to the owner. The contract is terminated once the client confirms their satisfaction with the project.

If you have an upcoming construction project, make sure that it goes through these phases. …

Trends for Hiring Construction Workers

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Trends for Hiring Construction Workers

Just like in other sectors, the trends for hiring workers in the construction industry also keep changing. And, according to Guillermo of Martz Inc, a New Orleans roofer and part time blogger says that it is the responsibility of recruiters to stay ahead of these trends to develop the best strategies that will enable them to find the right people for the job. Nevertheless, the following are the top trends for hiring construction workers.

Increased Pay and Benefits

Over the years, the salaries for qualified construction workers like concrete foremen have continued to increase. Besides, many construction companies have also raised their payment rates, benefits and other incentives to employees. As such, recruiters in the construction industry must focus on offering attractive pay and benefits packages to attract skilled construction workers in the coming years.

Smarter Tech for Smarter Construction

The use of smart technology and equipment in the construction industry not only improves productivity but, also significantly enhances the safety of workers. Many construction firms have invested in smart construction technologies and, also train their workers on how to use them in various projects. Such are the companies that will be able to attract the next generation of smart construction workers.

New Opportunities for Employee Development

Today, construction workers are looking for more than just the opportunity to do the job at hand. Instead, they also want to learn and grow at their places of work. To attract them, you need to invest in on-job training and other programs that will encourage learning and growth for the workers. That will also ensure that your workforce is well prepared for any future challenges on the job.

The ones mentioned above are the top trends for hiring construction workers that every company should focus on. Overall, you should build a strong brand and develop a recruitment strategy that puts the needs of the workers first to attract the best construction talent.

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Helpful Construction Tips for Beginners

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| Construction Tips

The construction of a home is a truly rewarding investment. But, as you will find out from those who have been in the trade for too long, construction could also be very stressful. As a new entrant into the industry, there are several things that you need to be enlightened on for a smooth sail. Check out the following construction tips for beginners.

Always Plan Ahead

Construction entails a lot of activities that require time and effort. Before the actual construction begins, you will need a building plan, financing, and various documentations. For convenience, you should conduct proper research to know all the requirements for the project and, have them ready before the start of construction.

Consult with a Professional Builder

As an ordinary homeowner, there are many things about construction that you may not know including construction permits. A professional builder will advise you on some of the structural and legal aspects of the project as well as help with determining the estimates of construction costs.

Build a Rapport with Local Construction Merchants

Whether you are constructing the property for your family, rental or resale, there are many things that you will need from the local construction merchants including building materials and related services. Therefore, a good relationship with them can help you get good deals on construction materials and services whenever there is a need.

Observe Safety Precautions

Construction sites can be very dangerous and, it is very easy to sustain injuries if you do not have the right safety gear. Apart from the safety equipment, there are other safety measures that you should also be properly enlightened on before stepping into the site.

Stick to Your Plan

Ideas may come up in the course of the construction that requires a change of plan. However, you should try as much as possible not to deviate too much from the original plan. Before changing the plan, consider the cost and time impacts that it will have on the project.

To a beginner, construction may seem overwhelming. But, with confidence and the above tips in mind, you can easily pull off the project of your dreams. So, shed away all the fears and just do it!

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5 Things to Know When Building a House

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Building a new home is a fete that most people only dream of. Despite the excitement about the project, it also comes with a fair share of challenges. Whether you are building your first or second home, it is one of those projects that can be quite overwhelming. As such, there are many things that you need to know beforehand to ensure success. The following are the 5 most important things to know when building a house.

Settle on a Suitable Budget

Before you start building, do the math and determine the right budget that will cater for the costs of the entire project. Many home plan designers will also provide estimates of the building costs depending on the location, materials, and features of the structure.

The main elements that must be reflected in your budget include the cost of construction, taxes, and other related calculations. If you are getting financing from a bank or other lending institutions, make sure that you have enough money to cover the costs.

Find a Reputable Builder

When hiring a builder to handle the project, you should also do a little research to determine a good one with experience in the industry. Experts recommend that you hire a builder who is a member of the National Association of Home Builders.

Go Green

Modern homes emphasize energy efficiency and other green solutions that you should also give proper thought when building a new house. You need to be very keen on the designs of the rooms and features like windows to reduce heat loss and save energy. A professional architect can help with implementing cutting edge green technologies in your new home.

Build with Resale in Mind

As the years go by, there are chances that you may want to sell the property in the future. Therefore, it is also important that you consider the potential value of the home when it comes to resale. Look into the other homes in the neighborhood to make sure that you do not build a home that is too pricey or cheap to appeal to future buyers.

Remember the Punch List

Many new homeowners are usually too excited after the completion of their homes that they forget to even look at the punch list. The list is drafted after the construction to highlight some of the areas that still require additional works. After the completion of your new home, take the time to go through the punch list with your builder and agent to make sure that everything is as intended.

No matter the size or type of home that you are planning to build, be sure to keep the above tips in mind for success. They will help you to safely navigate some of the most overwhelming situations when building a new house.

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Tips for Choosing a Construction Cost Estimator

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A fellow blogger friend that I follow once shared some tips with me in a deep talk about roofing and how his San Antonio Roof Repair company has thrived in the year 2019. In this talk he shared some tips he wanted me to have about figuring out the costs of a construction project, and shares that a qualified construction cost estimator provides an invaluable service to the project owner and contractor. When it comes to any project, getting an accurate estimate enables you to determine the feasibility of a construction project. Whether you are an independent contractor, a construction company, or an individual that needs an estimate for a project, you need the right estimator. Ideally, you should hire a reputable estimator that will give you a detailed, accurate estimate to help you secure financing and start your project on the right footing.

Here are important things to look for when hiring a construction cost estimator:

Effective and proven method of preparing accurate construction cost estimates.
A thorough understanding of different architectural drawings and designs.
In-depth knowledge of construction methods, building materials, industry trends, and building codes.
Extensive knowledge and experience in construction works, materials costs, lead times for materials, hourly labor outputs, and overhead expenses.
Expertise in calculating costs with precision and accuracy.
Ability to classify, collect, and evaluate data that relates to your project.

Why Choose an Experienced Construction Cost Estimator

Choosing an inexperienced construction cost estimator can lead to problems down the road. For instance, you can end up with cost overruns that will result in added expenditures. For a construction company, an inexperienced cost estimator can taint its reputation. That’s because most clients want to get accurate estimates upfront.

Therefore, make sure that the estimator that you choose is an experienced professional. Most construction companies prepare estimates with the help of their project managers. However, this is not the best industry practice. To be successful, a construction company should work with a seasoned professional estimator. This should be an expert that deals with suppliers and contractors every day. A professional estimator is not just an individual that does the estimation work as a part-time job. Instead, estimating costs of construction projects is their full-time job. …

Overview of Construction Cost Estimation

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A cost estimate depends on different estimation techniques. These techniques vary in terms of potential accuracy and speed. Here are the primary costs estimating approaches.

Joint Costs Allocation

To allocate the costs that are considered hard to assign to different elements of the project, estimators use different mathematical formulas. For instance, an estimate can prorate supervision in the field proportionally to different tasks on the basis of their total basic costs share.

Empirical Cost Inference

This is a statistical method that employs regression analysis in relating construction cost to a predictors’ model. This model’s accuracy is largely dependent on the predictive model’s quality. As such, it requires the estimator to be familiar with different predictors of construction costs and expertise in statistical methods.

Production Function

Production function basically relates the output or the amount built to factors like labor and materials or the input. As such, to achieve output at a certain level or build specific square feet, you should define your optimal input or labor hours per every square foot. When it comes to forecasting a project’s input-output relationship, production functions tend to be fairly accurate. Nevertheless, this depends on the project type and the extend of the available data.

Stick Estimating

This approach is extremely accurate. However, it’s incredibly time-consuming. It’s basically about determining the total expenses by listing the costs of single components of a project in order. Producing a stick estimate takes time and human error can occur during the estimating process. What’s more, the long time required for stick estimating can lead to concentration loss or carelessness.

Unit Cost Estimating

This form of construction cost estimation associates the unit costs with the involved assembly throughout the construction process. This approach is relatively accurate and quick especially if the assemblies have been used before since the available evidence justifies the unit costs for the assemblies.

Each construction cost estimator uses a different estimate approach. Talk to your cost estimator to understand the approach they intend to use.…

Major Types of Construction Companies

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Categorization of construction companies is based on the type of the job a company performs. Some of the roles of a construction company include land acquisition, design, execution, financial planning, maintenance, and paperwork. Here are the major types of construction companies.

Small Renovation Contractors

A small renovation contractor works on projects that require small capital amount and work that doesn’t require major construction organization or too much estimating. Some of the jobs done by small renovation contractors include office and small commercial work as well as home alternations. Most small renovation contractors work from their home offices and they usually handle paperwork at night.

General Contractors

A general contractor is often an expert in alternation work or new buildings. Majority of building contractors tend to subcontractor a large part of what they do. Alternation contractors use their forces to handle most projects. There are also general contractors that specialize in public works.

Real Estate Developers

Real estate developers are owner-builders. Apart from building for their ownership, real estate developers build with an aim of selling before or even after completion. This category can also include one and two family home contractors or builders.

Owner-Builder

This is a company that works as an owner-builder and it may not be categorized as a contractor in strict sense. This company constructs buildings to own them but it can sell them upon completion, operate, or rent them out. On occasion, most owner-builders act as general contractors or construction managers as the sideline of the main business which is building for personal ownership.

Package Builders

These are companies that take handle contracts from designing to construction. In addition, their services include land acquisition and project financing. Companies that handle package building show their prospective clients the prototypes of the buildings they have completed. Their staff includes engineers, architects, and construction personnel.

Other construction companies can be categorized as sponsor builders, program manager, and construction manager. It’s crucial to know what a construction company can do before you entrust it with your construction project. Choosing the right construction company will influence the outcome of your project. For more details on construction companies, check out this website here.…

Major Types of Construction

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Construction is a building process that results in the remodeling or completion of a structure. A construction project can be commissioned by a private property owner or a municipal agency. Here are the major types of construction.

Residential Building

Residential construction entails repairing or remodeling structures for housing people, supplies, or equipment. Multi-family dwellings and single family homes fall in this category. Residential construction may involve building apartments, duplexes, utility sheds, and garages. This construction can also include installation of different utilities including sewer, water, and electricity.

Commercial and Institutional Building

This includes medical facilities like hospitals, schools, stadiums, sports arenas, retail stores, skyscrapers, and shopping centers. Institutional and commercial construction includes construction of new structures, upgrading and maintenance of the existing structures. Typically, private companies or owners commission the construction of institutional and commercial buildings like retail stores. Medical facilities, sports arenas, and schools are paid for or managed by national and local government agencies.

Industrial Construction

Industrial construction involves building specialized structures. This requires specialization as well as technological skills in planning, design and construction. Industrial construction is typically done by for profit or industrial corporations. Industries like medical, chemical, and power generations build these structures. Nuclear power plants, steel mills, and oil refineries are also categorized under industrial construction.

Heavy Construction and Infrastructure

This type of construction entails building railways, communications, and roads around the existing buildings. Typically, this construction is aimed at serving the public interest. It is mostly done by large private companies and government agencies. Tunnels, highways, pipelines, drainage systems, overpasses and bridges as well as drainage systems are some of the projects under the heavy construction and infrastructure category.

Each of these types of construction requires certain level of expertise and equipment to complete. Choose a contractor for your project depending on the type of construction you want to undertake and their capabilities.…

Qualities to look for when hiring employees for a building site

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Before you start placing people in a construction site, you need to make sure that they are best suited for that particular job description. Otherwise, you will end up with a sit full of chaos and fatalities.

There are some qualities that you should consider before you give them contracts to sign.

Some of the things to look out for depends on the position that you are hiring the person to occupy.

You need to have a manager who will be able to run things when you are not around, a supervisor to keep the workers on toes and the rest of the construction team.

You should look for

Physical strength

This is very important, especially for the workers themselves. They need to be able to carry heavy loads whenever necessary. They should have the power to climb up, dig, bend, and be able to do manual labor when needed. They should have stamina as well so that they can endure the harsh condition of a construction site. They should be in good health too. If any of them is suffering from allergies and chronic diseases, then inhaling the dust and chemicals found at the site might aggravate their health conditions.

Great co-ordination skills

A building site is a place where there are a lot of activities happening at once. Some people may be digging while some are filling the trenches. They need to be able to coordinate their limbs well; otherwise, they may end up getting hurt. A worker should be able to sit down, bend over, and even lie on the ground without difficulty.

Certification

You should be very safety conscious when you are hiring a machine operator. They should produce evidence of going through training to handle it. If not, then you will be endangering not only others but themselves as well. They might also spoil the expensive pieces of equipment.

Construction knowledge

When hiring a worker, you should ask them if they have previous experience in building. This is important because they will be already familiar with the materials found in the site and hence be able to work efficiently with them. Hiring someone new to the construction industry will force you to spend extra time and money in training them to use the machines. A worker should be able to read the blueprints so they should be literate. They are supposed to calculate measurement given to them accurately so that they don’t make mistakes.

Good eyesight

For one to be a good worker, they need to have excellent vision. It is essential to have great perception at the site. Good eyesight will also make it easy to spot any errors made. Once they see the mistakes that have been made, then they can rectify it. The operators are supposed to see and gauge the distance when they are on the types of equipment.

Take your time and hire the right people because that can affect the timeline stipulated to finish construction.

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