Completing a construction project on time and within the client’s budget is often a challenge.

7 Essential Components of an Efficient Construction Material Management Strategy

Contractors who want to improve their firms’ reputations and ensure customer satisfaction often focus on labor management and cost reduction, neglecting to consider the importance of efficient material management.

Don’t make the same mistake. Read on to find out about seven essential components of an efficient construction material management strategy and that will keep the whole project moving forward according to plan.’

1. Inventory Optimization

Construction workers need to have all their materials on hand at the right time, but that goal is easier to accomplish during some stages of construction projects than others.

While it’s fine to order everything from wood to siding in advance as long as it’s properly organized and protected from the elements, there’s no way to order materials like ready-mix concrete for advanced delivery since they must be used as soon as they reach the site.

The best solution is to take advantage of a bulk construction materials app that will ensure on-time delivery so that project managers don’t have to worry about interrupting their contractors’ work or wasting materials.

2. Project Planning

Some contractors order new materials every day, just because that’s how it’s always been done. In a perfect world, every material order would show up on time the next day.

Unfortunately, that’s not how things work in the real world and orders are often late, leaving workers with unnecessary downtime on their hands.

Developing an effective material management strategy is a better solution.

With proper project planning, the construction manager can break material orders into manageable releases according to an established schedule, ensuring that everything gets in on time and workers aren’t forced to stop what they are doing to wait on orders.

3. Staging and Storage

Placing bulk orders for materials that will be installed at different phases of the job is rarely smart, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.

Proper staging and safe storage are the keys to keeping materials ordered for later use safe and ensuring that they’ll be easy to find when they are needed.

4. Wire Management

A good wire management plan will ensure that workers have sufficient materials on-site without the need for overnight cuts.

Work with a strong distributor to establish a wire material management plan that coordinates cuts to minimize scrap, cutting back on costs without creating problems for workers.

5. Material Kitting

Experienced distributors often work with contractors to provide material kits. Each one contains what workers need to complete one specific part of the project. Kitting facilitates fast delivery and installation and reduces waste, so it’s always worth it.

6. Lighting Assessments

Managing lighting installations can be tough given how many options clients have at their disposal.

It’s important to work with a distributor that is well-versed in the technical aspects of project lighting and can ensure that complex controls, LED compatibility, and integration into the building’s management systems won’t pose any problems.

7. Access to Experts

Project managers should always work with material distributors who have a wide breadth of product knowledge. Ask plenty of questions before deciding who to trust with material handling.

Increase Efficiency and Reduce Cost

Following the steps above can help any construction manager increase efficiency at the job site, which, in turn, helps to reduce cost without affecting working conditions or the final results.

Conclusion

Put in the work now to find reliable distributors and have a plan in place for material delivery, staging, and storage before the next project starts.

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