August 2020 - Construction Tips

The Best Construction Practices

August 25, 2020August 12, 2020admin

The construction industry is among the most important sectors of the economy. It is also one of the largest industries, employing more than 7% of the total workforce. But, to excel in this industry, you should follow the best construction practices. Here are the major construction practices that you should follow.

Procurement

This practice involves selecting the right construction management method, the best design team, the delivery team, and the facility operation team. The best practice is to focus on lump-sum contractors and low price tendering. What’s more, procurement practice should follow the life cycle of the project.

Partnering

Partnering is a practice that requires a collaborative approach to construction. It is characterized by open book procedures in pricing, agreed problem resolution, cooperation and trust, continuous improvement, and mutual objectives.

Partnering is very important because it enhances the achievement of greater monetary value, higher profits, quality improvement, and project completion.

Risk Management

This entails maintaining a register of risks. It helps in identifying potential risks and preventing them. It also entails recording the methods used in the management of the encountered risks. This information becomes useful in future projects.

Risk assessment and analysis ensures that the right actions are used to protect different teams during a construction project. These activities are performed regularly and no case should be ignored.

Value Management

This is an important construction practice. It considers cost, time, and risk constraints to ensure that the business or client’s needs are met. Value management uses methods like the collaboration with the teams that are in charge of project design, as well as, delivery. All stakeholders and end-users are also involved.

Supply Chain Management

This entails the integration of the organizations’ operations. They include the operations of organizations that deliver certain services and products. Construction supply chain management involves the analysis of the material, manufacturer, suppliers, distributors, designers, installation, contractors, and client organization.

These are some of the best construction practices. Others include safety and health, whole life costing, and benchmarking. Talk to your contractor about these practices to ensure smooth and efficient completion of your construction project. …

The Major Construction Trends that Are Affecting the Industry in 2020

August 14, 2020August 12, 2020admin

Every year, new issues and innovations emerge and their effects are felt in different industries. The construction industry is affected by different trends every year. Here are some of the construction trends that are affecting the industry in 2020.

Technology Integration

The remodeling and building industry is implementing innovations that improve productivity while saving money. Technology is now at the core of almost every trend in the construction industry. Contractors are adopting advancements to minimize the impacts of negative construction trends. Less time is being spent on the completion of some tasks. That’s because contractors are using modern software to complete those tasks. Drones, 3D printing, cloud, and mobile applications, as well as, BIM technology, are some of the trends that are shaping the construction industry in 2020.

Increased Off-Site Operations

The construction industry is characterized by an increase in off-site tasks like modular constructions and prefabrications. Labor market and material prices continue to tighten. But, pre-construction and off-site practices still make sense for contractors that want to reduce the overall cost, shorten construction timelines, and improve productivity. Construction safety is also improved by controlled factory spaces. This eliminates some hazards of traditional construction.

Improved Safety Equipment

The safety and standards of equipment have improved in 2020. For instance, wearable technology and work boots are now better than they were in the past. Some of these products send GPS coordinates while connecting to Wi-Fi. Some can even alert supervisors when workers get tired or fall.

More Regulatory Burdens

Regulatory burdens on lot development and purchase are affecting prices. In most places, regulations account for up to 24.3% of the total price of building a single-family house. They also account for 14.6% of the final price of a house because of the high cost of finished lots.

Labor Crisis

The current labor crisis is nothing new. However, it continues to affect the construction industry and housing affordability. This remains one of the factors that make it hard for some people to afford homes.

The construction industry is always changing. These are some of the trends to watch out for to stay updated on what’s new in the industry. Nevertheless, continuous research is always necessary before embarking on a construction project. …

The Most Energy-efficient Construction Materials

August 12, 2020August 12, 2020admin

When building a house from scratch, most people want to make it more energy-efficient. One of the best ways to do this is by using the right construction materials. The current market has many building materials to choose from. But, how do you choose the right construction materials to make your house more energy-efficient? Here are some of the most energy-efficient construction materials that you should consider.

Recycled Steel

Most steel is recycled from old steel. And, steel uses low energy amounts. It also emits minimal harmful carbon dioxide when compared to the other construction materials. This makes it a great option for people that need a green choice. What’s more, steel is durable and a good choice for places that are prone to earthquakes and high winds.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is the best alternative to cellulose insulation and traditional fiberglass insulation. It traps conditioned air inside a home thereby allowing for less leakage. As such, energy usage is reduced throughout the year. Spray foam has renewable material and it doesn’t produce harmful emissions. It is also shrink and water proof. This means it does have framing distortion.

Bamboo Plywood

This is awesome construction material for interior design. It can be used for elements like cabinetry, flooring, and wall coverings. This material is rapidly renewable with zero VOC. It is also as a sustainable resource. What’s more, bamboo plywood is beautiful and it adds greening elegance to a living space. This is a non-toxic and all-natural construction material that is is easy to work with as laminates or hardwood.

Insulating Concrete Foams

This construction material is produced by pouring concrete between different insulation material layers. Once poured, the concrete forms are locked into the structure of the home permanently. This leads to a higher strength level. An insulating concrete form is durable and energy-efficient. It’s also disaster-resistant and it prevents rotting, mildew, and mold growth.

If looking for the most energy-efficient construction materials, consider these four options. You can also include thermostat radiant barrier sheathing for walls and the roof. Check out some more tips and advice from other construction savvy blogs and businesses. https://www.homeadvisor.com/…