Your new construction project seems to be going more slowly than anticipated, and you aren't sure what is going on with it. Your crew works every day but just isn't making the progress that you want. There is a good chance that you aren't taking the proper steps to inspire them to work as hard as possible. This process is a surprisingly subtle, but effective, one that you need to understand fully.
The steps outlined below will help to make it easier for you to finish your project on time and on budget. They don't require a lot of investment from you but are, instead, very subtle things that you can do to either make your crew happy or streamline the project. In this way, you will get the project that you want at a price that you can afford. Even better, your project will be done on time.
A Happy Crew Builds Great Projects
One of the best tricks for a great building job is to do what is necessary to keep the crew happy. For example, you can provide them with water when the day gets too hot or even prepare them with snacks. Comfortable chairs are also a good choice if they are working outside for extended periods. This small investment is a wise choice for a variety of reasons.
First of all, a happy crew who feels respected by you will work harder to ensure that you get the best possible constructionjob. Simple little steps like these show that you care about their well being and are doing what you can to make their job easier. They will notice that you are taking these extra steps and will likely work harder to do what they can to keep your project moving smoothly.
New Technology Improves the Process
As technology advances, significant new changes become integrated into the building process in a variety of ways. For example, you can use Facetime and other video programs to get live updates on the progress of your job as it occurs. This is a huge deal because it lets you go to work or even on vacation while your crew works on your big and important projects.
You can also use other types of technology, such as wage-tracking apps, to see how many hours your crew has worked and what pay is likely necessary after they are finished. In this way, you can budget your project more effectively and avoid sudden cost increases that may cause you to either cancel the project temporarily or have to pay more money than you expected to finish it.
Communication is Vital
If you are noticing something about the project that doesn't suit your needs, don't brood on it or complain in online reviews. Instead, bring up the issue with the foreman to learn more about what is happening. Often, they either noticed the problem or the issue wasn't even a problem at all. For example, you might think that your windows look strange until your crew explains that it isn't yet finished or will look different when you're done.
During this communication process, you should avoid getting angry about any problems and, instead, respectfully talk about them. This politeness doesn't mean that you should be a pushover, either. You need to speak to the foreman and other crew members in a way that is respectful but which also lets them now that they are working for you on this gig. A fine balance here can help your crew both respect and trust you and inspire them to work more effectively.
Firmness Helps Improve Your Success
Though you should give your building crew the respect that they deserve – which they will typically return to you if you're reasonable and understanding – you also need to avoid being weak-willed about your project. For example, you need to firmly let your crew understand what you expect from them during a building gig and to stick to your needs, as long as they are reasonable.
However, you also need to be flexible when the situation is needed. For example, you shouldn't keep demanding that your crew does certain kinds of repairs if they have told you that they are unnecessary or expensive. Your team has your best interests in mind and will do what they can to save you money and keep you from spending too much on a gig.
Realistic Expectations are Even Better
All too often, people expect constructioncrews to perform miracles that they cannot do on a home. For example, someone may anticipate that new windows will make a home look better or even increase its value far beyond what the home is worth. These types of expectations are understandable – you want to get your money's worth out of a project – but can cause real problems if you don't understand what your crew is capable of doing on your gig.
Talk to them about these expectations to better understand what they can do and how they can help you. Just as importantly, let them know what you want but ask them if it is possible rather than demanding that they do it. Your crew will attempt to do what you ask and, if they fail to do something impossible, it will be more your fault than theirs. So keep your expectations on a reasonable level and respect your crew's ability to meet these demands in a simple way.
We Can Help You Succeed
If your constructionproject needs a little kickstart after a period of slow progress, make sure to implement these simple techniques to ensure that you get the best results possible. They are particularly useful if you work with professionals with a tremendous and detailed crew who operates in and around Iowa City, IA and who has plenty of gigs to do outside of yours.
And, most importantly, please make sure to contact us at Coohey Construction to ensure that your project goes as smoothly as possible. Our experts will work with you to not only streamline your job but to get it done on your time table. Even better, we implement many of these strategies on our own to keep our crew happy while they work on your latest job.