For more than a decade, Christopher “Chris” McNally has led Falcon Enterprises Associates as president and founder. Chris McNally and the rest of the Falcon team offer services encompassing owner’s representation and project management and are skilled at solving common construction-related problems.
Some issues commonly encountered in construction projects include the following:
1. Shortage of skilled workers.
As more and more young people are pushed toward college rather than vocational training and as many construction workers are aging out of the workforce, the construction industry has experienced a serious decline in skilled workers. To combat this, contractors and other construction industry professionals can mentor others, particularly high school students or young college students, who may not know much about the industry. Construction professionals can also mentor workers within the industry. Showing them the business side of construction may spark their interest in furthering their career.
2. Increasing material costs.
The cost of land and raw materials can rapidly change. As a result, construction projects often go over budget. Although contractors can’t change the price of raw materials, they can adopt prefabricated components. This helps the project operate more efficiently and reduces labor costs. In addition to that, contractors can reduce costs elsewhere in their operations by speeding up back-office work, improving budget management, and enforcing purchase order limits.
3. Client indecision.
It’s not unusual for owners to change their minds about what they want during the course of a construction project. These changes increase not only the risk of delays but also the risk of payment problems later on. To protect themselves, construction professionals should always request a signed change order to ensure their documents are up to date.