Whether you work for a construction firm or want to do up your home, there are various building projects you could be involved in. It’s important that you first begin to plan the project. There are various tips that help you plan a project, but it’s important to note that each project is likely to be unique, albeit they may have a similar structure and follow a specific framework.
You should ensure you plan ahead of time and conduct relevant surveys. Surveys can ensure that everything is being done the right way. An environmental survey could weigh up the cost and legality of constructing in a certain area, and the survey could show you that something will require more work than first thought.
With all that said, we will go over some tips to help you run your building project smoothly, whether you’re a foreman or a home builder.
Ensure Everything Is Being Done Legally
Legal issues can prevent your building project from continuing on schedule. You may even have the project completely stopped and scrapped in some situations due to regulatory breaches. It’s also important that you follow legal regulations to help ensure you and anyone working on the site are protected. For these reasons, you should ensure everything is being done the right way.
It may depend on the nature of your construction project. If your construction or expansion project involves workers using hazardous substances, then you must ensure that the project follows COSHH guidelines. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health is a legal requirement for employers to ensure employees and contractors are safe from harm while working with hazardous materials.
It will be in your best interests to use a COSHH Risk Assessment Template. You can acquire one from HS Direct once you’ve filled out your details. They also offer more specific COSHH assessments, which could be of interest to you and your project.
Keep Your Staff Briefed
You will find that your building project stands more chance of being successful if your staff are briefed on the project at all times. Of course, you should first ensure they have been briefed at the very beginning. If they are not, then it is unlikely that they will be in a position to work on the project to the best of their abilities.
Not only should you ensure your staff are briefed at the beginning, but you should ensure that they are updated on any changes further down the line. This will help ensure that any changes are being enforced and actioned. If ignored, this could then set back the project in a major way.
Automate Processes Where Possible
There may be certain processes within the construction project that you could automate. In fact, many experts within the industry believe that robots will be the future of construction. You can use robots now to assist in the manufacturing of parts, but it may be software that will be of more use to you.
For example, you could use stock management software to help you keep track of your building materials. You may even have smart software that knows when to order more materials in, according to your budget. If you can automate certain processes, you will be able to save more time that could be spent on the construction itself. It may also assist you in managing your finances.