BEFORE YOU START

• Do a feasibility study. Prior to responding to an RFP or putting together an estimate, decide if the project is truly feasible for your team. Are the timeframe and requirements realistic? Can you actually make money? It’s important to understand what you’re getting into — both the risks and the rewards — before you commit time and energy to a job. There’s no shame in walking away if you can’t be profitable.
  
  
• Team up. Once the work is won, be strategic about how you’ll work with others assigned to the job. Establishing a collaborative relationship and open lines of communication with the client, design team and any subcontractors makes it much simpler to develop a project plan that works for all parties. Plus, when you’re all in sync, it’s easier to see and make changes early in the process, when the cost to do so is much lower.
  
  
• Prepare for change. It will happen, so be ready. Anticipate and account for weather delays, sudden changes in commodity prices, material shortages and supplier issues.

DURING THE JOB

• Be strategic about stuff. What’s your procurement strategy? Construction materials are a big cost-driver, so have a plan for exactly WHAT you need to buy, WHO is your most reliable and affordable source and WHEN is the best time to purchase. Make sure your equipment fleet is ready for the job, too. You’ll want to be prepared well in advance if you need to buy additional or specialized machines, add work tools or rent products for specific tasks.
  
  
• Take precautions. Safety, as always, should be priority one. Safe, healthy employees are more productive — plus, you avoid the financial risks and delays that come with accidents and injuries. Keep a close eye on your fleet, too. Did you know more than a billion dollars’ worth of construction machines and materials are stolen every year? Don’t let theft or misuse get you off schedule or budget. Using telematics, smart keys and other simple security measures can help you keep your equipment where it belongs — on the job.
  
  
• Track the data. Are you below daily production targets or in danger of material overruns? Are operators taking too many passes to complete a job? Is excess idle time busting your fuel budget? Plan to have someone (internally or at your equipment dealer) monitor the data coming in from machine telematics. That way, you’ll get alerts about any potential problems mid-project, so you fix them before they cost you time and money.