Construction

Construction Means Dust And Dust Can Cause Allergies. A Specialist Builders’ Clean Reduces The Risk

Construction blogger

Winning contracts has always been a highly competitive business for the Construction Industry so anything that can give a company the edge is to be welcomed.

One extra service that could help is completing the job with a specialist Builders’ Clean before hand-over.

It’s accepted that you’ll leave a clean and tidy completed project and these days most building workers know they have to clean up after any job they do.

On even the most tidily-managed jobs dust can be a problem and it can hang around in the air for weeks after completion of a new build.

Since dust is recognised as a major cause of allergies demonstrating to a client that you’ve done all you can to reduce the risk for the building’s eventual occupants could help add to your construction company’s good reputation so that you stand out from the competition.

Dust is actually made up of minute particles of bug fragments, mould spores, bits of plastic and other materials and can be a particular problem in the winter when doors and windows are kept closed. The tiny dust mites living in the dust are what cause the allergic reaction.

Dust allergies can result in symptoms ranging from asthma through itchy, watery eyes to repeated sneezing, eczema and a runny nose.

Of course there are many other causes of allergic reactions, some of them as a result of the various chemicals used in the making of carpets and laminates.

You will show your client that you’re willing to do that little bit extra and could earn a reference to promote your company in the future if you use a specialist Builders’ Clean after construction work, especially from a company that uses environmentally friendly, non allergenic cleaning products.

When you’re considering hiring a post-build cleaning service with this in mind there are a number of points you might want them to pay attention to.

You might want to list the materials that have been used during construction and check they have the correct materials to clean them to ensure surfaces are not damaged. But you might also ask whether the cleaning materials they use are environmentally friendly and preferably non-allergenic or natural cleaning agents containing a minimum of chemicals.

Concern for the environment is becoming an integral part of building and commissioning projects, so you could perhaps ask if the cleaning company recycles as much as possible and disposes of everything safely. After all, you might be asked to provide evidence to the client or the planning authority that the process has been as environmentally friendly as possible.

Another question to ask the cleaning company is whether it has robust specialist equipment capable of extracting as much dust as possible.

If they are using any chemicals in cleaning do they abide by the COSSH regulations for handling hazardous substances.

Finally, as building projects sometimes overrun or there are last-minute changes, you need the cleaning company to be flexible and able to change their cleaning times at short notice if the job overruns.

The cleaning company should also provide a list of anything they’ve spotted that is damaged, not quite finished off or in need of their attention when they’ve finished their job.

Handing your client a clean, ready-to-occupy building that’s as free as possible of potential causes of allergies can give both you and the specialist after-build cleaner with an unbeatable reputation that helps you both successfully bid for future contracts.

Copyright (c) 2010 Alison Withers

Construction Estimating Tips

Construction blogger

The first and foremost stage is drawing the plan for construction. Once the plan has been drawn the next stage is the stage of the construction estimate. The right estimation of cost is very important for going ahead appropriately with the plans of construction. The estimate should be accurate and should be such that considers all areas of cost. Cost estimation is not a simple task but is one that must be done systematically and accurately.

For drawing the correct estimate you must firstly gather the right information. The current cost of material, labor and other expenses must be gathered. The calculations must be made on the current costs so as to get a realistic picture. The estimate must take into account all heads of costs that would be incurred on the project and must also cater for the profit element.

The estimation of construction costs is actually a cumbersome time consuming activity, but is very important. No project can go ahead without an accurate construction estimate. The estimate regarding the overall project must be made along with the individual aspects. What you are constructing whether a house, office or anything else would make a big difference. The type of construction and what you are constructing would make all the difference to the requirements for the project. The difference in material and labor would bring about a difference in the cost of the project.

With the developments in technology working out the costs of construction has also been made simple. The specialized software for estimation of construction costs would be of great help in trying to find out the overall estimate of the project as well as finding the breakdown regarding the individual stages and areas. You could either use a specialized software meant only for the purpose or else there are templates that can be downloaded to equip your excel program to make some of the required calculations. The software meant for estimating construction costs can be used for finding out the details of cost estimation for individual portions of the entire project. Several options are available for you to choose from. The software is designed to handle multiple functions and greatly simplifies the task of cost estimation. There are also features that help merge details of one project with that of another. It makes cost estimation simple as well as quick. The changes made can also be calculated in no time at all. The construction cost estimating software is a simple and quick way of making accurate cost estimates.

Do It Yourself Windmill Construction

Construction blogger

Windmills are mainly known as alternative power generation tools and, of course, as beautiful garden decoration too. Obviously do it yourself windmills for garden decoration is a relatively easy to be built. However constructing a power generator is more complicated.

The first step is to obtain a do it yourself windmill plan or do it yourself windmill kit. It is highly recommended that you go for option one (windmill plan) simply because it is less costly as compared to later. Of course there is always an option to get all the required parts for the windmill tower and turbine, and just to put them together.

Regardless of your approach at this point you will need to decide if you would like to have wooden windmill or one made of metal. Indeed, aluminum windmills are more expensive but they are also much more durable than the wooden ones.

A very important consideration is how much power your household needs and how much power your windmill will be providing. To determine the amount of power needed simply check your last months utility bills. Once you have a rough idea about it you are ready to choose a windmill of size that will be able to generate the same amount of power. Wind speed and the overall amount of windy days per year are also factors that need to be taken into account for correct power supply estimation. If fact it is wiser to start with these calculations as it may turn out that your windmill will not generate enough power and thus there will be no point in building one.

Another crucial step in do it yourself windmill construction is its location. This depends on the wind patterns in your area. In any case any good windmill construction plan should give advice how to choose the best spot as well as the height of the tower.

Eight Essential Characteristics Of The Construction Marketing Expert

Construction blogger

The construction industry has been hit hard by the economic recession. Construction has been one of the fastest growing and lucrative businesses in the world. However, in 2007 the bubble started to burst and by the middle of 2008, many house builders were in serious trouble. Now we see some light at the end of the tunnel but in order to capitalise on the growing number of opportunities, many are rediscovering the essentials of construction marketing to build a solid foundation for future growth. Knowing how to procure work in a changing economic climate through an understanding of sound business development principles and construction marketing strategies is key to the future of the industry.

Construction marketing has had a bad press. This has largely been due to a misunderstanding of what modern marketing is all about. Gone are the days of the fancy sales talk, over promising, irrelevant jargon and hype. These days marketing is all about building relationships, making the right connections, offering genuine solutions and forging collaborative partnerships. In order for effective construction marketing to take place, the right person needs to be appointed.

Most Managing Director’s of smaller construction companies spend a lot of time on public relations exercises for which they may not feel cut out! They have enough on their hands managing the business. So someone to concentrate on marketing, client relations and business development is crucial.

Construction Marketing is a specialised area and should be an essential ingredient in your business plan if you want to expand and take on the new challenges of a changing industry. Of course there are marketing techniques and general principles that work in any industry, but whoever does your marketing, needs to know the business.

The construction industry is evolving and changing with new demands and challenges to be faced. This will inevitably mean that we live in a climate of change. Any marketing person worth their fee, will stay ahead of the game and spend time focussing on key areas of development.

Although the opportunities in the construction business are growing rapidly with every government led initiative, the competition for work is getting more intense – especially with the growing emphasis on partnering and frameworks. If your company is to stay in the front line of business growth, you need a Marketing and Promotions Budget and the right person to take things forward.
There are eight essential characteristics you should look for in a marketing person. This may be a special appointment or someone within your company who has the skills and abilities to be at the front end of your marketing and business promotion efforts.
They need to be:
1. A people person. It is essential to have an open personality that connects easily with others and is able to understand how human psychology works. Knowing how people tick, what their key motivators are and what is likely to grab their attention in terms of that new business proposal, is an essential characteristic.

2. An excellent communicator. It’s no good being at the front line of business development if you can’t articulate well. This is more than picking up the telephone. Creativity is essential if your prospect is to be won. So keeping accurate records of every conversation and a knowledge of the company you are targeting is crucial together with relevant personal details of the target. For instance, knowing birthdays, important anniversaries, hobbies and interests can enable a good communicator to respond appropriately. Sending a personalised birthday or Christmas card can be a powerful way of building relationships which form the foundation for business opportunity.

3. Un-flappable! The marketing person will encounter a number of hurdles on a daily basis. The pressure of meeting Key Performance Indicators set by the management can create undue stress for instance. Then there is the unpleasant business of rejection, which is inevitable when targeting new prospects. Sometimes in a busy office environment, especially in the construction industry which often doesn’t rate the marketing role, there can be tensions and a conflict in perceived priorities. The marketing person needs to hold firm in times of uncertainty, believe in the company and it’s products and services and have a determination to grow that sales pipeline.

4. Focussed on the big picture. Getting the next tender through the door and securing that letter of intent is only part of the picture. The marketing person will always be thinking ahead, three to six months down the line, to ensure that all important sales pipeline is healthy. Especially in construction, where the lead in time from tender to job on site can often take months.

5. Highly motivated and a motivator of others. Marketing people need to be self starters. People who see what needs to be done and then just get on with it. They need to be people with initiative and drive and have the ability to take others with them.

6. Well informed. The problem faced by the construction industry in terms of business development is that there have been few specialists in this area. So the danger of appointing a marketing consultant with no real knowledge of the industry has been a real one. At the very least the marketing person needs to have a working knowledge of the industry if not a background in construction.

7. Creative, flexible AND organised! A disorganised marketer is doomed to failure. So although creative and flexible approach is essential, accurate records should be kept using an efficient Customer Relations Management System.

8. Well presented! First impressions do count! They way the marketer presents themselves is crucial. By all means, they can be modern and trendy, but they do need to wear a suite and tie!

So best of luck in finding the right person to carry your business forward! Be careful who you appoint and then give them the resources they need to do their job.

Construction Boom In India Will Create High Demands For Civil Engineers In Near Future

Construction blogger

Civil Engineering is considered to be one of the core branches today. Also we see new and new structures coming up every day so civil engineers will definitely not be without job. It has better prospects in India and in abroad as well. It has very bright future after specialization in the academic field. As believed, Civil engineering involves not only field but also involves office and desk works like estimation, analysis, designing, tendering etc. It is a field which has very broad scope.

People think that compared to other branches of engineering, Civil Engineering is the least lucrative with no jobs available for those who graduate. On the other hand one gets multiple job offers from software companies if you are doing other branches of engineering and your starting salary will be mind boggling by Indian standards. On the other hand a Civil Engineering undergraduate starts with a salary as low as Rs. 3000-4000/month, so that brings up a question, who wants to take a job as a Civil Engineer when the difference in starting salary is over Rs. 25,000 or more at times.

According to the policies of Central Government for the development of infrastructure, demand for civil engineers is going to rise in next five years. Civil engineers get good salary with job security. Presently, the demand for Civil engineering course is much higher because of the boom in this sector. Civil engineers are people who mainly deal with new ideas to develop infrastructure. Now days, the presence of private players in the industry has also been increasing the quality of work. Since the quality and the manpower facilities are sufficient, they are in a position to fulfill the national and international demand. Many new and modern projects relating to this sector have also begun.

A job of a Civil engineer requires lot of experience in specific fields to meet the changing demands in this sector. Adequate efforts are from the part of the government is done for the speedy execution of the developmental projects in India. As there are adequate manpower in India, it is possible to achieve this objective. A significant increase in the number of projects in this sector has come up partly because of the high quality work involved in it. As the industry is developing, it is creating in employment opportunities for skilled engineers. One cannot imagine a situation, with out the civil engineering sector in a country.

The Civil engineering discipline has been evolving and many new concepts are being introduced nowadays. Various facilities namely the roadways, bridges, buildings etc are the significant aspects in infrastructure. Every nation is being engaged in expanding its developmental aspects so as to survive with the competition with other nations. Its a fact that a major chunk of investment is done in this area in the country which will change the very face of the nation as a whole. This is mainly made possible with the help of civil engineers. There is an increase in pay for a Civil Engineer with about 5 years experience is phenomenal. This is a trend that is observed not only in India but also in Middle East and the US.