There are three main things you need for a successful construction project: a well-thought-out plan, a team of skilled workers, and a well-stocked arsenal of building materials. If you're missing any of the three, progressing can become nearly impossible.
Only a brave fool would start a massive project without a semblance of a plan, and you're unlikely to run completely out of workers short of a mysterious site-wide illness. But running out of materials is something that happens frequently, even to well-organized teams. Don't let a lack of materials put your project on hold. Use these three tips on how to prevent construction material shortages in order to keep your supply in order.
Store Materials Properly
One common cause of material shortages is improper storage. No material is impervious to everything. Things like rain, pests, and extreme temperatures can cause your materials to degrade until they're no longer usable. To keep your materials in a workable state, it's paramount that you store them in an enclosed, dry area where they don’t have exposure to the elements or anything else that poses a risk to their integrity.
Keep Accurate Data
One of the most effective ways to prevent construction material shortages is to keep tabs on your materials. Do you know how much you initially purchased? How much do you expect to use on this project? How much of your existing stock have you expended thus far? If you can't answer these questions, it's very easy to run out without realizing it.
The key to tracking construction materials is to use material tracking apps. Handwritten notes or notes stored in the brain are unreliable and can lead to inaccurate material counts. When you use technology, there's far less room for error.
Reassess Your Scope of Work
Your scope of work can change dramatically over the course of a project. Whenever you receive a change order, you need to stop and reassess your scope of work. How will this tweak to the original plan affect the type and quantity of materials you need? If you fail to account for scope-of-work changes, you may come up short mid-project because you forgot about that additional room or wall you needed to build.
Diversify Your Supply Network
Relying on just one supplier is risky. If that supplier runs into difficulties, you may not be able to replenish your supply on time and consequently run out of materials. Using multiple sources of supply prevents this. If one supplier doesn't have the materials you need readily available, you'll have several alternatives to turn to.
Material shortages can result in significant delays, among other problems. But by tracking your materials closely, storing them correctly, and planning for the unexpected, you can prevent shortages and keep your project running smoothly.
Comment
Comments