Unlike subcontractors, architects, engineers or developers, general contractors have to be on top of every single aspect of construction. The basic difference between general contracting and other kinds of roles in the industry is that general contractors have to know how to plan for and execute all the smaller segments of a commercial or residential […]
One of the trickiest parts of construction estimation is estimating site works. Before starting the project, there’s a high chance that you may not be aware of all the aspects of the involved variables, putting your accuracy at risk. Experts argue that assessing the earthwork is the most complicated part of site work estimation. You […]
Developing a construction estimate is one of the most crucial—and difficult—aspects of a project because it directly impacts the profit margins. This is also why it’s imperative for the estimate to be precise and accurate. The entire project budget can be affected if the estimates are off by a considerable amount, leading to costly delays […]
As digital transformation continues to disrupt the construction industry, we see many contractors opting to outsource ancillary departments and focus on what they do best. Construction companies that are leveraging digital technology to become more agile seem to be reaping substantial benefits—firms report that costs fell by 4-6% while construction productivity went up by 14-15%. […]
Like many other industries, construction has also taken a hit following COVID-19. Although the pandemic has undoubtedly made it more difficult for contractors to operate, it’s important to note that construction profit margins have been plummeting since 2014. Recent statistics from the Journal of Building Engineering indicated that profit margins were down to 0.38% in 2019. […]
Rapid changes in material costs can make it difficult to determine the cost of your next drywall project, especially since the cost of a drywall installation can fall anywhere between $955 and $2547. The geographic location, job specifications, and labor costs all have a substantial impact on the final price. Plus, if you’re adding specialty […]
Quantity takeoffs are complicated numbers to calculate and handle, but their main purpose is really straightforward. Also known as construction takeoffs, this segment of construction estimation is essentially a list of all the materials needed for a project. The appropriate quantity of each material is usually listed as well as the per unit and the corresponding total […]
There’s no doubt that the ongoing pandemic and crisis have affected nearly every aspect of our lives. This kind of global shutdown and panic hasn’t been seen with a health crisis in living memory, which is saying a lot. However, this doesn’t mean that the world has to stop turning. There are tons of everyday […]
Everyone thinks the hard work in construction is in the actual building. But in fact, that’s the fun part—it’s what you signed up for when you first got involved in this industry. The real grind happens before a single shovel ever hits the dirt: the construction-bid-proposal process, in which you essentially apply for jobs over […]