The Business of Construction

Construction has become a tough business and if you are going to stay in the business of construction, you need to be well advised and have well trained and skilled workers.  

Knowing where the projects are and bidding on projects successfully takes skilled workers who are part of a cohesive team.  The bidding process has become very competitive and companies are taking projects  at a loss sometimes just to get work.  

I have found that it is hard to find skilled workers for open positions.  In some cases, it is because companies have raised their standards but in most cases, it is because the skilled workers have moved on.  Some have moved away while others have moved into other company types.

Employee training is very important and for your business to thrive, you need to make sure you have skilled employees or you need to make sure you offer exceptional training in your company.  You shouldn't look at it as spending money for nothing -- you should understand that well trained employees can only improve your bottom line.  

Well trained staff gives you the benefit over the company who is hiring people that aren't trained or who aren't trained well enough.

I can't say that I didn't think about moving to another area where construction work was more abundant after the economic downturn.  However, I do see a change in the Phoenix Metro area in construction.  Home builders are once again building and I see certain types of construction increasing.  Other types of construction such as strip mall construction has dropped in some areas and has increased in other areas.

I love construction even with the downturn.  There is just something about the building industry that I like to be involved with.  Now in the 2nd printing of the book, the "Construction Administration Handbook", I have covered every aspect of construction including employment and accounting.   Topics covered are employee relationships, subcontractors, contract documents, accounting, change orders, necessary logs, and many other things necessary in a construction office.

Knowledge is power and having this power will help your company survive in this new era of construction.

Charlene S Reed

www.MyConstructionOffice.com