Effective management of any construction project comes down in large part to make sure that you have the team that you need. To that end, we’re going to look a little more closely at some of the specialist roles that can often go underlooked, and why you might need to consider hiring them to the team.
The project manager
If you’re not managing the project yourself, then you should make sure that keeping the reins on the project is being delegated to someone with the right experience. For smaller projects, a general contractor might work just fine, but for larger projects, you might want to hire an experienced construction manager. Aside from organizational experience, they typically have a network of subcontractors that they can reach out to quickly fill the skill gaps in the roster.
The machinery operators
As mentioned, the project manager may take on the role of filling in the skill gaps with the subcontractors that they know. However, if you need to hire any specific machinery for a project, you should make sure that you have someone on your team who is trained and licensed in using it safely and effectively. Some informal experience isn’t enough to keep you from being liable in the event of an accident.
The site prep teams
Before they begin, many construction projects require the development of the site. Few plots of land are ready to start building on already. This can include things like clearing away topsoil and any uneven ground to make for an easier site. It can also include setting the foundations of the building. Site preparation teams are essential for a majority of construction projects so take a look at whether or not you have a ready-to-build site or if you need their help, too.
The structural engineers
A simple foundation might be enough for many building projects. However, larger and more complex buildings will require things like a panel formwork to keep building components standing and stable. To that end, you might also require someone who has a good idea of the best way to deal with weights and loads during the construction progress. Structural engineers can make sure you support extensive and heavy projects in the safest possible way.
The health and safety expert
There are plenty of health and safety essentials that you need to take care of, regardless of what kind of construction site you are on. To that end, hiring someone who has a history of performing safety audits of the area to keep an eye out for any risks so you can act on them can help you reduce the probability of a big and costly accident.
Of course, you want to keep your project cost-effective, where possible. To that end, you should make sure that you have a real need for any of the specialists above before you go adding them to the team. If you have a need for them, however, it can do a lot more harm than good to try and save money by not hiring them.
