Lean Construction

Lean Construction: 8 Principles and Best Practices

The construction niche is one where completing projects faster and within the budget is very important; yet, most construction projects are always completed late, with budgets modified multiple times. The sector is also lagging labor efficiency, at a time when other sectors have seen substantial improvements in this regard. It’s, therefore, no surprise that more companies are turning to Lean construction.

Construction companies are embracing Lean principles to help reduce costs, improve efficiency, boost morale, and fight the factors that have contributed to the sector's inefficiency over the years. With Lean construction principles, businesses can maximize the value created and minimize waste.

The rest of the article will take a closer look at Lean and Lean construction principles and best practices.

 

Commercial Construction Basics

Commercial Construction Basics: The Complete Guide

The commercial construction industry is one of the biggest parts of the US economy. Underneath the well-oiled machine, equipment, plans, bids, contracts, and technology work in unison to create an industry worth billions of dollars. What does commercial construction entail?

Commercial construction covers all the facets of the development of public and infrastructure projects. The worksites vary in size from one project to another. Each project can employ dozens or thousands of contractors depending on scope, guided by binding contracts.

This guide takes a dive into the basics of commercial construction. You’ll learn more about the industry, how it differs from the residential sector, the stages in commercial construction project management, contracts, the bidding process, and more.

 

Social Media Platforms

7 Best Social Media Platforms for Construction Companies

As we move toward a more digital world, traditional marketing is being replaced by digital marketing. These days, the need to brush up on our marketing skills is real. The good news is that social media platforms can be an excellent way for construction companies to promote their brand and gain new customers.

Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook are the best social media sites for construction. For video marketing, YouTube is the best platform, and Instagram and Pinterest are useful for images and short videos. Lastly, Houzz is an online community with millions of homeowners looking for home professional services.

There are many social media sites out there, and it can be overwhelming to maintain accounts everywhere. That's why, after careful research, we've chosen the seven best social networks for construction companies. Read on to learn how to use these sites for marketing your construction business, and we'll also discuss some tips to help you get the best out of your marketing strategies.

 

Types of Commercial Construction Projects

8 Types of Commercial Construction Projects

There are several types of commercial construction projects that contractors can be tasked to develop, build, and oversee. These types of projects pertain to the building of structures intended for business or commercial purposes. Unlike residential construction where you deal with homeowners and their architects, commercial or industrial construction deals with corporate representatives, including a team of architects, engineers, and designers.

The eight most common types of commercial construction projects are restaurants, retail, grocery stores, shopping malls, medical facilities, office buildings, hotels and lodgings, institutional buildings, industrial structures like factories and warehouses, and sports facilities.

Read on and learn more about these different types of commercial construction projects, including what makes each of them unique and how they are different from each other. While certain aspects of these projects are similar to each other, they also have different nuances.

 

Residential vs Commercial Construction Profit Margin

Residential vs. Commercial Construction Profit Margin

 

There is a significant difference between commercial and residential construction - residential construction is centered on building, selling, or renting out units, while commercial construction revolves around business properties. Profit margin is essentially what remains after overhead, and job costs are subtracted from the income proceeds. Which one, then, is more profitable between the two?

Both residential and commercial construction can be profitable, but several factors should be considered when determining which one profits more. When the residential market is booming, the profits are high. However, commercial construction has more profit margin because of higher demand.

The rest of this article will focus and elaborate more on factors that determine the profit margin of residential and commercial construction, their differences, and ways to increase the profit margin for both.

 

Construction Service Industry

Is Construction a Service Industry?

 

Economic activity is divided into service-based and goods-producing industries. The latter creates a tangible object, while service-based industries include retail trade, professional services, and other intangible economic output forms. As far as construction is concerned, is it a service industry?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies it as a goods-producing sector, not a service sector. However, when analyzed thoroughly, some sub-segments of construction do meet the definition of service-based operations.

This article will explore why, as a whole, the construction industry is a goods-producing sector. It will also provide insight into the concept of servitization and how that is bringing elements of a service-based industry to construction.

 

What is Commercial Construction?

What Is Commercial Construction? A Complete Guide

 

In construction, we deal with different kinds of clients, from homeowners to multinational corporations. All of them require different types of structures that are suited for various endeavors. But there is one type of project that is a bit more complicated than the rest - commercial construction.

Commercial construction refers to the process needed to build grocery stores, restaurants, lodging facilities, offices, industrial buildings, and other structures. It requires various building codes, permits, materials, and heavy equipment. Most of these aren't needed when building a house or apartment.

Structures for commercial use require a lot more than what residential construction does, but we'll cover all of them in great detail. After this guide, you'll never look at structures the same way. It'll also give you a better idea of what works better for your next construction project.

 

M-Sand

Is M-Sand Good for Construction?

 

High-quality sand that is workable and durable is at the core of all construction projects, such as building houses, public buildings, and even certain roads, concrete is everywhere, and construction companies need sand to create it. However, due to the global shortage of natural river sand, companies have started to manufacture sand. But is this good for construction?

M-sand is good for construction as it creates durable, workable, and high-strength concrete. Its disadvantages include the coarse texture and high levels of micro-fine particles. However, M-sand is sustainable, economical, and efficient, so most construction companies are using it today.

Are you thinking about using M-sand for your next construction project? Let's dive into the properties, advantages, and disadvantages of this material!

 

How to Advance Your Construction Career

How to Advance Your Construction Career: The Ultimate Guide

 

Construction jobs are always high in demand, and there’s no sign of job security leaving any time soon. Those who’ve chosen construction recognize the broad possibilities of the career path; You can end up stuck in the same job for decades or move upward to make more money and work on bigger projects.

To advance your construction career, you need to learn to work on a wide variety of projects, build your rapport with clients, and stay within the safety parameters. Remember to adhere to deadlines and never go beyond the set budget. Keep an eye out for new opportunities and ways to get promoted.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about advancing your construction career:

  • How you can manage time and budgets easily
  • Different educational pursuits to consider
  • Methods to grow your client base and get more opportunities
  • Various tips to get promoted or find higher-paying construction jobs

 

How to Win a Construction Bid

How to Win a Construction Bid: The Complete Guide

 

Construction bids are the most important part of the industry. Without the bids, you won’t be able to find work for your business. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to win bids if you know what to look for. If you’re tired of losing bids or not knowing where to start, you’re in the right place.

To win a construction bid, you need to analyze the competition, highlight your company’s strengths, and set reasonable deadlines. Work with your customers to prevent your company from blending in with the rest of the bidders. Stick with your prices and keep them close to other companies’ prices.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about winning a construction bid:

  • How you can stay competitive and beat other companies
  • Different tips to win a bid each time you apply
  • Knowing how to be ahead of the game on every project
  • The best suggestions to win repeat customers

 

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