An essential component of construction project budgeting is the acquisition and management of construction materials. To deliver high-quality projects on time and under budget, professional construction contractors must use the proper techniques and approaches.
However, while most people identify construction material management with procuring and distributing construction materials, the reality is more complicated. Material management encompasses a wide variety of activities, technologies, and procedures that aim to optimize material procurement, storage, and consumption.
This brief guide will teach you the fundamentals of construction material management so you can start streamlining your company’s construction processes.
What Material Management Means For Construction
The process of acquiring, assigning, and discarding construction materials is known as construction material management. It involves a wide range of tasks, but ultimately, its main goal is to locate resources for every construction project swiftly and economically. This procedure is critical for every construction project as it guarantees that project goals are met.
If you don’t have a proper plan for managing your construction materials, you are at risk of decreasing labour productivity, wasting materials, missing deadlines and facing budget constraints.
Effective construction material management services usually involve the following fundamental tasks:
- Planning and material acquisition
- Time management and transportation
- Quality assurance
- Management of storage and inventory
- Waste management
Objectives Of Material Management
As previously stated, the primary aims of construction material management should be to provide efficient material supply, inventory control, and enhanced project operations.
These are some of the essential objectives of material management.
- Find materials that meet the project’s quality, quantity, and purpose requirements.
- Order enough materials to meet the project’s needs.
- Order materials ahead of time so they arrive on schedule at the construction site.
- Ensure the correct materials are supplied to the correct building location and avoid double handling.
- If the task site is extensive, create a distinct delivery point where employees can gather their materials.
- When acquiring building materials, obtain multiple bids and compare prices.
Also Read: Common Causes Of Construction Rework And How To Avoid Them
Tips For Managing Construction Materials To Maximize Returns
Here are some recommendations you could follow to ensure better construction plan management and enhanced operations:
Maintain Regular Inventory Checks
Your inventory contains a wide range of supplies and tools. But they all sound a similar red alarm for unforeseen problems and maintenance. You should do preventative maintenance checks on your equipment regularly to avoid large-scale replacement and repair costs.
Reduce Unexpected Breakdowns
It’s recommended to book a maintenance session if you see any underlying indications of a breakdown. This can prevent a potentially deadly mishap on the construction site and enhance your project management. Establishing red flag signals for all of your construction site supplies, tools, and machines will help to assure worker safety.
Set Up Service Providers
Despite having a well-trained maintenance crew, it is recommended to contact dealers for repair and replacement regularly. It is critical to notify the appropriate dealers or service vendors. Skilled service staff will do the work more efficiently and effectively. This means your construction crew will be able to save time and focus on other activities to satisfy project deadlines.
Create A Structure For Cooperation
Anyone on the project team who sees an unusual condition with a piece of equipment should notify the appropriate department. To streamline communication, crew leaders should implement a mechanism that enables participants to share important information. Such techniques will allow you to deal with any problems quickly.
The Responsibilities Of Material Managers
Material managers are in charge of the management of resources inside a company. Here are some of the most important responsibilities of material managers:
- Material managers collaborate with other members of the management team to assess a company’s overall operations and objectives.
- They gather information about suppliers, inventory, and transportation costs in order to identify potential inefficiencies.
- Material managers aid in the planning, execution, and oversight of all aspects of material transportation logistics.
- Inventory management is the process through which a company stores and accounts for the materials in its possession.
- Material managers are in charge of negotiating material pricing with suppliers and transportation providers.
Material managers regularly monitor all areas of a company’s supply chain and assess the efficiency of each component.
About Taurus
Taurus is an accredited construction company based in Fort Saskatchewan. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced construction contractors. Taurus Projects takes great pride in its staff of skilled and competent construction experts that work to offer our clients top-notch construction services. From material management to site services, we can manage all types of construction projects. Learn more about Taurus.
For professional construction management services, contact us now.