The Best Time-Saving Tips for Construction Businesses

You’ve probably heard you have to spend money to make money. But the truth is that you also need to spend time to save time. Sometimes you need to invest time in the beginning to save time overall.

Construction businesses thrive on deadlines and tight schedules. In this world of constant movement, where can you improve your time management? Don’t be the business that’s known for getting behind and delaying project completion dates. These tips will help you prioritize time spent in your construction business.

1. Stop Multitasking

Multitasking is not the time-saving strategy you want it to be. Most people are not capable of true multitasking. They just switch between tasks rapidly. Attempting more than one thing at once typically results in doing neither of them well. Each time you switch to a new task, your mind has to reorient to the job at hand.

Monotasking – focusing on one thing at a time – can improve your productivity and reduce errors, saving you time. When you’re working on something important, let emails and phone calls wait.

2. Spend Less Time in Meetings

Meetings can consume your precious time and that of your employees. They can be helpful to keep members of the team on the same page, but only if they’re done correctly. One good rule of thumb is?

Never hold a meeting for something you could address in an email. Your staff will not thank you for wasting their time with unnecessary or prolonged meetings, and your productivity will suffer.

Use meetings as a time for collaboration between team members. Projects will flow more smoothly, saving you time and money by avoiding delays.

3. Invest in Your Team

A business is only as good as the people behind it. Take time to hire employees who are willing to work hard and improve as they go. Ensure they have the training they need to succeed in your construction business. Create building sites that prioritize their safety and write company policies that protect their health and well-being.

Employees who are capable of doing the work and feel valued by their employer are more likely to perform well. Productive employees will help you adhere to deadlines and deliver stunning projects to clients that earn you repeat business.

4. Find Ways to Automate

Your time is valuable, so spend it doing things only you can do. In the past, business owners had to shoulder the responsibility of all the backend and administrative work or delegate it to other employees. Now, there are many automated systems you can take advantage of.

For example, one-third of business owners spend over six hours a month on payroll alone. Even if that is the only process you automate in your business, you have just gained six hours in your month. What could you accomplish with that extra time?

5. Learn to Say No

Invest your time and energy into the aspects of your construction business that will bring you the best return on your investment. Only pursue new clients that will increase your profit margin. Find ways to do fewer projects with higher profits and say no to taking on anything else.

Also, say no to projects that are beyond your capabilities. If something is outside your niche or skillset, you will waste time trying to complete it. In the end, you would most likely deliver outside of the projected schedule or make critical mistakes along the way.

6. Create Detailed Work Plans

Like a well-designed meeting, detailed work plans keep everyone on the same track. Your project manager and contractors should be aware of all deadlines and the overall schedule. Build time into the work plan for emergencies that will inevitably come up. People get sick, accidents happen, and supplies get waylaid – so make sure these setbacks don’t delay the delivery.

7. Focus on Lead Generation

Would you rather have to consistently find new clients on your own or have them come to you? Spending time upfront on lead generation will save you from tracking down more work later. Make sure you have a good local presence. Advertise in your community through traditional advertisements, billboards, a website, and word-of-mouth buzz.

The best thing you can do is earn good publicity. Being a company that delivers on time, provides quality work, and employs skilled workers will bring in new business and save you time to spend on the next project.

Conclusion:

Time-Saving Tips for Construction Businesses

Invest Time Like Money

Though most of these tips cost you an investment of time upfront, they pay dividends as your business grows. If you are looking to improve or expand your business, the best thing you can do is establish routines to save time. As you find yourself with more time each month, discover new ways to invest that will bring growth.

Need a Business loan for construction to grow? Check out Capital for Business funding solutions or apply for a business loan today.

 

Author:

 

Evelyn Long is a writer and editor focused on home building and construction. She is the co-

founder of Renovated, a web magazine for the home industry.

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