Setting Up Your Home Workspace for Success
Many of us in the preconstruction industry are adjusting to working from home due to social distancing mandated by the need to control the spread of the coronavirus. By this time, you’ve probably secured the basic technology, such as laptops, HDMI cables, additional monitors, extra keyboards and a mouse, and so on. But that’s just […]
5 Aha Moments for Estimators
Do you often feel chained to your cell phone? Maybe not, but you probably think life would be bleak without it. Even so, I suspect a few of us ever leverage our mobile devices to their fullest potential. Think of it—we’re basically carrying around a supercomputer in our pocket, yet we tend to use only […]
How to Recruit Generation Z in Hot Construction Market
Wow. There appears to be no relief in sight for contractors trying to find qualified construction workers. Call it a “nice to have problem” if you like—but the struggle is real. With a record low unemployment rate, most construction firms are worried about where to find the next generation of workers. In some parts of […]
Four Ways You Can Work Smarter in 2020
With another holiday season behind us and a new year (and decade) just beginning, you may be searching for new ways to maximize your time, increase your efficiency, and generally get more done in both your professional and personal life. Time—let’s face it—is the great equalizer. Whether you’re a roofing contractor in Iowa or a […]
Why Contractors Should Invest in Integrated Tools
Whether your construction business is focused on roofing or concrete, your bidding process may involve lots of moving parts. While you may already be using a digital takeoff tool to eliminate paper blueprints, your estimating workflow may still include a mixed bag of supplier and vendor spreadsheets. Inevitably, this can make bid day a mad scramble—especially […]
Setting and Achieving Your Construction Goals
As a construction professional, what kinds of goals did you set for yourself in 2019? Did you resolve to get a promotion or to take on more responsibility in your current role? As we round out this year and head into another, where do you stand with your goals? Whether you’re an estimator or a […]
6 Do’s and Don’ts for Sharper Listening Skills
Construction is a complex business with many moving parts. Getting the details of each project correct is critical for your productivity, ability to win bids, and overall business position among competitors. This is probably why almost every job posting for estimators and project managers cites “listening” as a critical skill for success. Ask any estimator […]
What Type of Training Is Right for You?
If your company recently purchased new takeoff and estimating software, your next step is to choose the best type of training. Do you want to attend an in-person class, participate in online (virtual) training, leverage other “self-study” resources, or some combination of the three? You’ll want to weigh a variety of factors. I may not […]
Navigating the Ever-Tightening Labor Crunch
It’s been a long, hot, busy summer for most everyone in the construction industry. If you’ve had a moment to catch your breath, you’ve probably noticed backlogs are still running nearly nine months and demand for all types of construction workers—from hourly craft jobs to emerging roles like construction technologists—has held steady. Officially, the U.S. […]
6 Tips and Tricks to Ace Your Estimator Training
OK, it’s time to learn the new takeoff and estimating software that your company recently purchased. But where do you start? How big of a learning curve will you face? How long will your ramp-up take? If you’re asking these questions, you’re not alone. Most estimators, project managers, and other construction-industry professionals share these concerns […]