The construction industry is highly demanding – much more than society realizes. It takes time and expertise to build something. However, it must happen in a timely manner to meet the client’s deadlines. If your team is starting to lag in productivity, you’ll need to get to the bottom of it.
If the hold up isn’t from a lack of supply, it could be caused by a lack of motivation. So you’ll need to ask yourself how you can push your team to complete projects quickly without compromising quality. In this article, you’ll find eight ways to increase worksite productivity to maximize profits and retain a team of exceptional employees.
1. Pay Employees Well
First and foremost, are you paying your team a wage worth working? The average national income is around $70,000 annually and if you are offering rates under that average – or worse, minimum wage – you likely will have a hard time obtaining or retaining employees. Subpar rates make it hard to retain workers in any industry. Additionally, construction is a dangerous job, and these people are putting their lives at risk. They deserve to live comfortably, and they’re more likely to work harder for competitive wages.
2. Set Goals and Offer Incentives
Breaking down the project into weekly targets can give your workers a clear view of the timeline and keep them on track for completion. And instead of imposing negative consequences for not reaching the goals, you should offer incentives for a team that provides quality work and meets (or exceeds) each week’s target. This turns the worksite into a positive and encouraging environment rather than a threatening one.
3. Working Conditions
Another significant reason for the lack of motivation in the construction industry is poor working conditions. Of course, your team deserves to work in a safe environment. But unfortunately, investigations can delay projects due to injury or fatality on the worksite. Once construction starts up again, your workers may experience low morale and have increased anxiety after a member of the team is injured.
In order to keep the safest working conditions, you need to ensure that you have adequate equipment on hand. One of the most significant issues is material waste lying around the edges of the worksite that can cause slip-and-falls. So you may want to consider self-dumping hoppers to keep the area safe, clean, and manageable for your workers.
4. Frequent Breaks
One thing you don’t want is a team of burnt-out construction workers. This level of fatigue can lead to sloppy craftsmanship and low morale. To ensure that your team is always charged up and ready for the job ahead, offer 1-2 breaks per day for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. In addition, make sure you give them adequate time off from work and a proper lunch to rest and reboot. A proper work-life balance is a massively competitive benefit that isn’t always common within this industry.
5. Plan Ahead
Once you’ve got the construction plan mapped out, you’ll need to ensure that every contractor and subcontractor is aware of the schedule. Failing to do so can cause late delivery of supplies and personnel. Additionally, you’ll develop a reputation for being unorganized – so it’s imperative to plan ahead. Order supplies and equipment in advance, and make sure the team and client are aware of the schedule.
6. Training and Safety
Aside from keeping the worksite in top condition, you’ll need to ensure that your workers are properly trained to carry out each task safely. By offering continuing education and training, you allow your workers to improve their skills and find their place within the company. Plus, you will equip your team with all the skills necessary to succeed, not leave them feeling overwhelmed and ill-prepared – a safety hazard for all in the construction industry.
7. Hire Motivating Supervisors
Not everyone is qualified to lead a crew of contractors and subcontractors. You’ll want to hire someone who can motivate a team, keep the schedule on track, manage supplies, and stick to a budget. If everything flows smoothly, your job becomes more manageable, and your client remains satisfied. Keep in mind when hiring a supervisor that they should be prepared to solve any problems that arise quickly. Plus, they should know how to avoid those costly issues, so they don’t occur frequently if at all.
8. Transparent Communication
Productivity is increased when everyone involved in a job knows what’s happening each day. Every supervisor, contractor, and client should be aware of the progress made and the delays that come up. Workflow software is often the best form of communication for managing large projects that need to be completed on a deadline.
In conclusion, if you want to boost worksite productivity, you’re going to have to put in some work to motivate your team. By creating a safe and positive work environment, paying competitive wages, and offering a work-life balance, you give your contractors a job they can look forward to each day.
