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The Current Building Climate – Challenging for Contractor and Client

By Bruce Leland

At this time, there seems to be no shortage of projects for good Contractors or Subcontractors, nor does there seem to be an end in sight. One would think that a flood in the workload would make most Contractors very happy. However, with the severe shortage of skilled workers to complete the work, this translates into the fact that many projects must wait to get started and often times we experience delays in getting projects completed. Unfortunately, this puts stress on both the Contractor and Client. As a General Contractor, we have found that not only do we not have the manpower to accomplish our work, but we are finding that our Subcontractors are also running behind schedule due to qualified help issues. In our experience, the Client’s viewpoint becomes more frustrated as they find themselves having to be more patient while their homes are disrupted for longer periods of time. They also have to wait longer to get their projects started.

The obvious answer to this problem is hiring and training more help. Society has begun to make people aware of the labor shortage and address these issues both locally and nationally through news, media, and even through the school systems. So, what else can be done to help?  Here are some ways both the Contractor and the Client can help manage the current building climate to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

SCOPE of WORK – A well defined Scope of Work will help alleviate many problems before the project even starts. The Scope of Work is a finite description of what work is to be done, where the work is to be done, and in many cases what materials will be new or re-used. This may also reference Architectural Plans and or Job Specifications. For renovations, we rely heavily on the Scope of Work to make sure work is being performed on the approved areas to keep us within the original contract budget.

CLIENT DECISIONS – Clients should make as many decisions on specific items as soon as possible before the project begins. They should decide on the types of finishes, such as color and style of flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, and appliances. Having these decisions made ahead of time allows for earlier ordering which can mitigate backorder issues or long lead times.

COMMUNICATION – Communication between the Contractor and the Client is crucial to keep the project on track. Weekly meetings between the Foreman and Client are essential for work flow and to keep up with any new developments. These meetings can be on site or by phone. At Long Cove Builders, we have a Project Manager who works with the Foreman on each job to adjust the schedule and keep things moving forward when issues arise. The use of a project schedule that can be shared with the Client can help them see the progress and possible delays that may come up. When unforeseen issues arise, such as rot hiding behind surfaces that appeared to be fine, communication is key. The Contractor needs to let the Client know the extent of the issue as soon as possible and the Client needs to make quick decisions to keep the project moving.

It takes a good understanding of the Scope of Work, clear decisions from the Client and continuous communication to mitigate the frustrations felt with the lack of workforce. Working together as a team: Client, Foreman, and Project Manager, we can keep projects moving forward and make the building process enjoyable for everyone and to keep the building climate running smooth.