How To Avoid Frustration When Working With Construction Crews And Subcontract Trades

How To Avoid Frustration When Working With Construction Crews And Subcontract Trades

Commercial construction can be a challenging field to work in, with tight budgets and deadlines, health and safety responsibilities and multiple trades who need collaborate with each other.

The stakes are high, the pressure is on, and the costs of delays and mistakes can be astronomical. There's no room for error, so it's essential to know how to keep your project running smoothly. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce stress and stay on top of your project delivery without having to micromanage every step of the way.

As a main contractor, site manager, or project manager you will want to find reliable subcontractors who can provide you with the quality and level of service you are looking for at each stage of the project.

This can be a daunting task but sourcing the right subcontractors can make all the difference.

Communication is Key

The most important thing you can do when working with your contractors, trades specialists and plant operators is to keep an open line of communication. This means not only making sure that everyone involved in the project knows their roles and responsibilities but also that you stay in touch with each other throughout the process. That could mean regular status updates from contractors or weekly meetings with subcontractors and suppliers. Whatever works best for everyone involved, make sure that everyone is talking regularly and sharing information transparently.

Set Realistic Goals

It's easy to get carried away with ambitious plans for a construction project—especially if you're trying to beat a certain deadline or budget—but setting unrealistic goals will only cause frustration and increase the risk of errors and overruns. Instead, take some time before getting started to realistically assess what can be achieved by when, then work backward from there so that everyone understands what needs to be done and how long it will take. Having realistic expectations from the get-go will make it much easier for all stakeholders to stay focused on providing a safe, high-quality service without having to rush to meet deadlines.

Hire Experienced Contractors

Finding experienced professionals who are up to date on construction industry quality standards, regulations and safety requirements is essential for any successful project. If you're looking for a reliable contractor knowledgeable about building codes, HSE regulations and with the technical knowhow and experience in trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing or decorating - make sure you do your research first. Ask around in your industry, check out their website and obtain detailed tenders.

As a rule of thumb, the fewer contractors you work with, the smoother your project will run. It’s often more cost-effective to work with a specialist commercial contractor. At SC4, we offer a full range of first fix and second fix carpentry, as well as commercial decorating services.

Rather than trying to manage an on-site crew yourself, partner with professional subcontractors who will manage their own tasks and workforce. They will have experience of collaborating with other trades, this will make all the difference when it comes time to tackling unexpected issues as you benefit from their experience and expertise.

Next Steps

At SC4, we work closely with our customers to minimise the risk of project delays and cost overruns. Our technical knowledge and experience enable us to find the most efficient and cost-effective means of completing your project within budget and on time. We work in partnership with principal contractors and specialist subcontractors, meaning we have a clear understanding of everyone’s role. To benefit from our expertise, get in touch today to discuss your project needs.