Tag: <span>Construction</span>

Tag: Construction

How To Get Workers To Embrace Construction Technology – Part 2

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From project management software to cloud technology, innovation is allowing contractors to do more each day.

The emergence of new technology figures prominently in all industries, construction is no different. The construction industry is booming with more work than contractors can handle and not as many resources as needed. This puts a greater onus on efficiency and accuracy. That’s where new technology has been critical.

However, new technology is only as effective as the people charged with the task of using it. Buy-in can be a challenge at times. People have achieved success performing their tasks in certain ways through the years. New technology is daunting and can feel like they are starting over. No one wants to feel that way. That’s why it’s critical to put as much emphasis on getting employees to embrace new technology as it is to implement the technology itself.

Cotney Construction Law’s Jacksonville construction attorneys touched on this by providing a few tips for getting workers to embrace new technology in the first part of this series. Here are more tips for transforming your organization.

Take a poll

The technology will be used by your employees. It’s important to understand their needs. Take a poll to find out what aspects of their job would be enhanced by technology solutions. Let those answers guide your tech investments. This will clear the path to buy-in because your employees will be getting what they want.

Show employees how new technology will affect their jobs

For employees to embrace new technology, it has to be real for them. They have to see it not as a new way to do things or one more thing to learn, but as a way to make their jobs easier. When introducing and training employees on new technology, use examples of how their jobs will be enhanced. Demonstrate benefits. This will greatly enhance buy-in for new tech.

Focus on a few functions

Most of today’s new technology, especially software solutions, have a myriad of functions. However, to someone being introduced to new software, this can be overwhelming. Focus on a few critical functions. Get workers up to speed on those and, when they are ready, introduce more capabilities.

This blog first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

How To Get Workers To Embrace Construction Technology – Part 1

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The construction industry has been slow to catch up with technology but that is starting to change as solutions become even easier to use and implement.

Technology is ever-present in our society and in business. We not only accept the benefits of technology, we expect it. One area of business that has been slow to catch-up with technology is the construction industry. However, even that’s changing with the emergence of project management software and tools and innovations such as drones and augmented reality that are making construction work safer and more efficient.

However, technology in construction has one major barrier. Many of its workers have an aversion to change. Some of it is generational. Some of it is because workers have achieved success through other means. However, to move forward as an industry, we must realize the potential that lies in new technology.

Cotney Construction Law’s Jacksonville lawyers have worked with numerous contractors and construction industry leaders and have seen the benefits of new technology. They also understand the importance of buy-in. That’s why they have put together this two-part guide with tips for getting your team to embrace new technology.

Find champions among employees

There are individuals that people look up to among your workers. Empower them by allowing them to test out new technology first. They will set an example for others that will make buy-in much easier. This will also give you a chance to roll out technology among a smaller group. If there are any issues, they can be resolved with minimal impact.

Training and support

It’s essential that you have a training plan prior to purchasing and implementing new software. This plan should have hands-on and online components. People learn in different ways so you have to accommodate for that. Time must be given for the training as well. This means software must be implemented at a time when your staff isn’t being pulled in a number of directions. In addition to the training, continuous support must be given to ensure that your staff has the ability to ask questions and gain a greater understanding of the software.

This blog first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Payment Problems in the Construction Industry

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The construction industry has a love/hate relationship with payment. We love to get paid – we need it to survive. But the disconnects at every corner of the job give the industry a bad reputation.

That reputation comes into play at every level. Owners are warned that contractors are all just a bunch of con artists looking to build a shoddy product (or nothing at all) and take off with the cash. GC’s are made to look like they’re holding all their subs in cuffs, withholding their payment like a ransom. Material providers risk everything to keep their customers, and then get burned when they lose out to a non-paying job, a slow-paying job, or somebody that’s just trying to stay alive.

The problem has compounded itself over years and produced some pretty poor and worsening statistics:

  • 70% of the work is done by companies with less than 4 workers (source)
  • Contractors have the lowest 5-year survival rate (source)
  • The industry writes more than 1 billion checks every year
  • And uses 1.2 million BIC Pens
  • Construction has losses of $1.6 billion/yr because of inoperability (source)
  • The same 2-4 unit job in 1971, takes 85% longer to complete now (source)
  • Construction ranks last for accounts receivable & working capital (source)

The reality is that, while the rest of the world has been updating their tech and streamlining their processes, the construction industry is still using paper checks for payment and post-its for invoices. You might be thinking “Not me! I use such-and-such-project-management-tool!” or “No way! I pay all my guys on time!” – and you’d be right about those things. At BuildPay, we call those “first degree fixes.” What BuildPay’s technology is doing is allowing for second, third, fourth, fifth….degree fixes.

Payment should be the hub of every construction job and so that’s where this technology is positioned. Funders and owners can see project progress online and can watch as materials are purchased for their build. Contractors can see that their payment is locked, and can never be held in someone else’s bank account, as long as they do the work. Material providers are assured payment directly from project funds – removing the need for extending trade credit. It’s about time that getting paid in construction was this easy. #GotPaid.

Note: This article first appeared on BuildPay’s blog and can be viewed here.

Benefits of Digital Documents – Part 2

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On jobsites across this country, construction professionals are drowning in paperwork.

This industry requires a great deal of documentation from contracts to site plans to change orders and for many years, this documentation was put in print. Needless to say, print documentation comes with a myriad of issues. Documentation gets misplaced or is not available when you need it. Also, for many years, construction professionals dealt with the time and money lost by using paper documents.

One best practice that is emerging to alleviate time lost is the use of digital documentation. Digital documentation is allowing teams to collaborate better and is making documents available at any time and in any place.

In the first part of this series, we discussed a number of benefits digital documents are bringing to construction companies. The cost and time savings can’t be ignored. That’s why we have created a second part to discuss additional benefits.

The benefits of digital documentation include:

Preventing lost documents

The construction industry is a fast-moving one. Most contractors have to move frequently from jobsite to office. It’s only natural that items may get lost along the way. When they do, the outcome is costly. Rather than carrying important files everywhere, use the digital documents in the cloud to access your files from any location. Not having to search through paper files for important information can save you a great deal of time.

Continuous updates and collaboration

A document that’s printed out can only be changed if the file is adjusted and the document is printed out again. Digital documents can change as information or data is gathered. It can also be changed by multiple parties. Documents can exist among contractors, subcontractors, and architects to ensure that there’s always a clear picture of what’s happening on a jobsite. It also helps avoid the disputes that require the help of a Lakeland construction lawyer.

It’s good for the environment

It’s important to remember the impact printing has on our environment. Using digital documentation allows your company to consume less paper, toner, and ink, which can also save you money.

This blog first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Benefits of a Digital Document Control System – Part 1

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For an industry that is as physical as the construction industry, there is a ton of paperwork.

Historically, paperwork has been a part of doing business. Whether it’s a contract, design plans, change orders, or bank draws, it’s not official unless it’s in writing. This can create a myriad of issues. Items get lost. It takes a long time to correct documents. Collaboration is cumbersome. To generate the efficiency needed to keep projects moving, new solutions were needed.

Document control systems are not a new concept; however, digitizing documents and the system as a whole is relatively new. Much of the paper world is going digital and paperwork-heavy industries such as construction are being transformed. Contracts, financial documents, daily reports, and a host of other work-related documents are going digital.

If you are still on a paper system, consider the following benefits of going to a digital document control system:

Speed up approval by speeding up access

Digital document control systems allow for collaboration on design documents, project plans, and contracts, among other items. Since the documents can be accessed in real time, discussion and changes can happen at a much faster pace. Also, you are now able to see who accessed documents at any given time, which holds members of a group accountable for any changes. This can come in handy if a dispute arises and you need the help of a construction lawyer.

Reduce storage space

Let’s face it, paperwork takes up a lot of space. As a company grows, this paper has to go somewhere. It’s not uncommon for companies to rent storage facilities to maintain archival paperwork. However, years of information can be housed digitally at a fraction of the cost. All of this information can be accessed using keywords, which makes the search for documents faster as well.

Save money on printing

In tandem with reducing storage space, a digital document control system can save money on printing. Contracts are extensive and require a great deal of printing. Project plans are also long. When you are printing these and other documents over and over, the price begins to add up. Digital documents completely eliminate this cost. Also, it’s easier to employ a system for organizing documents because they exist on cloud or hard drive storage and can be accessed via the device of your choice.

This blog first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

3 Reasons Why Big Data is Important in Construction

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By Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law.

The use of big data can enhance a contractor’s ability to successfully run their business.

The construction industry has not been the fastest to integrate new technology into their processes over the years. The use of data is paramount across all industries. However, the construction industry has implemented data for more basic functions than for advancement. While historical data may be used for functions like job costing and budgeting, there are additional uses for data that can enhance decision making and reduce risk.

Big data can help contractors in these areas and many more. It can enhance your ability to successfully run your business.

What is Big Data?

Let’s start with a brief definition of big data. Big data is the large amounts of information that can be gathered from a variety of sources, including sensors, machines, and computers that, when analyzed, can provide details about trends and patterns. Big data can aid decision-making in the following areas:

Construction-area Logistics

Construction sites are fast-moving, complex areas that require a great deal of coordination to prevent delays. The use of sensors on machines, combined with project schedules and traffic data can help construction companies devise a routing system that ensures equipment is always in the proper place when needed. Data from previous projects can also determine the time it takes to get heavy equipment from one location to another. This information can be used to build more efficient project schedules.

Project Budgeting

More accurate project budgets can be created with the use of data from a number of existing sources. Information about the pricing and availability of materials, workers, and equipment can be gathered and used to determine the best uses of available funds. This data can even be compared with project payments to determine the profitability of certain projects.

Tracking Equipment Conditions

Sensors on equipment can give contractors information about the condition of equipment and determine when service is needed. With big data, it can be determined if a new piece of equipment is needed before the old one breaks down.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Trent Cotney’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.