Homebuilders: Technology Can Help Address Labor Shortage Issues

We've suggested over the years that automated construction technology not only helps home builders build homes more efficiently, but gives them tools to build with more quality awareness, assess vendor performance and determine trends as they're happening instead of in the rear view mirror. Everyone is having to perform at a higher standard; technology can help you manage the increased workload when one of your inputs is under stress.

Put Technology to Work!

A recent Big Builder article by Don Neff titled Labor and Risk notes the last time labor shortages were as widespread as now was before 2001, and that ongoing shortages are especially challenging in some geographical areas such as Southern California.  Field Managers have had to take on additional tasks — particularly in the area of quality assurance — to get their homes built on time.

How can technology help you address this?  We suggest 3 significant ways:

1. Add Quality Inspection Checklists: Select key, critical tasks (for example slab pour, frame complete, etc.) and associate a checklist to ensure quality meets your objectives.  You now have a consistent, measurable quality standard that keeps the schedule open until it is completed — including vendor payment. You catch issues early and can even add photos or drawings to the record.
2. Utilize Automated Punch Tools: When rework is needed, either as a result of the Checklists or walk-thru, use your scheduling software to associate the punch item with a task and auto-email the vendor.  Take advantage of auto-reminders until the process is complete.  No more phone calls, unanswered emails or slipping through the cracks! Your vendors will appreciate this, as well. 
3. Leverage Available Reporting: Automated scheduling reports provide you with not only the details of what happened but reasons for delays, vendor performance analysis tools and consistent problem identification. You'll know where to focus the most energy.

CPS has been providing construction scheduling software for almost 20 years. Let us show you how FieldCollaborate will help you build more efficiently and profitably!

Builders: Getting Proactive With Construction Data

Did you have a chance to read our last Blog (it's here!).

We highlighted a recent Builderonline article: Pain Points: Win or Learn by John McManus.  He focused on 3 things that matter most for builders this morning!

And, those 3 things are within every builder's control (vs. those you can't control such as weather, the economy, etc). Not just large builders, or public builders, or small mom-and-pop builders. All builders.

Information Helps Clarify Vision!

The first was sales.  The second is taking those sales to completions.

That is, the construction cycle. You're able to evaluate how your construction process is delivering by reviewing specific information: cycle time and, in turn,  profitability.

McManus suggests: you work with greater velocity or... you learn the pain.

Greater velocity can't be measured in the abstract, however.  Other factors -- and they are measurable -- have to come into the equation or profitability is a one-time gain with a short life.

What are you doing to consider those other variables? Do you know which vendors show up on time, or have the highest level of rework, have safety issues consistently, always fail field inspections? That information helps shape a long range vision of your construction cycle and help deliver consistently better results.

We're suggesting FieldCollaborate -- including the  available web Portal for vendors and home buyers -- will help.  It's not just scheduling but reporting on quality items, delivery times, subcontractor consistency, safety assessments and punch items.  It all helps highlight factors impacting your construction cycle and allows you to be proactive about the next lot, phase and community -- and design for long-term profitability.