How much do construction projects cost? In general, the price depends on several variables such as location, size, materials used, etc. As you can imagine, it requires a lot of investment. A home or office building project usually starts with a design phase where architects and engineers come together to create blueprints and other drawings. 

The next step involves the actual construction of the building itself. This is the point at which contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, materials, and equipment providers get involved. There are several things that you can do to minimize the cost of a construction project. For example, you can hire a contractor who has experience in low-cost construction. In this article, we share expert tips to minimize the cost of your construction project. 

 


What are the most common reasons why construction costs get expensive?

Construction costs can get out of control very fast. In fact, it happens about 85% of the time. There are many reasons why construction costs get out of hand, including poor management, lack of experience, and a failure to plan properly.

 

Poor management

Poor management leads to wasted resources, such as time, energy, and money. For example, if you hire unqualified employees, your payroll expenses will increase. Similarly, if you fail to keep track of your finances, you could end up paying taxes and penalties. Also when management is unable to control workers and their time effectively, it leads to slower productivity and increased costs.

 

Poor planning

Many people think that they can just wing it when they start working on a project but this approach doesn’t usually lead to success. Instead, you should make sure that you follow a detailed blueprint. Doing so will help you avoid costly mistakes. Construction projects are notoriously difficult to predict. 

They require months of planning, design, bidding, and execution, and even small changes in scope or materials can add significant expenses to the overall project. Did you know that nearly half of large construction projects run over budget? In some cases, contractors underbid jobs because they didn’t realize how much work was involved but sometimes, the problem isn’t a lack of knowledge; it’s poor communication between the client and the contractor.

 

Hiring the wrong workers

Not hiring the right people can impact your ability to meet deadlines and perform well under pressure. If you are having trouble finding qualified candidates, consider outsourcing some of your projects. This way, you can focus on what you do best – running your business.

Hire only those individuals who have a track record of success, as anything short of perfection will incur increased labor costs. Look for workers who have been successful in previous jobs and ask about their experience. Ask how many times they have completed similar tasks and whether they have ever had to deal with similar situations. Find out if they know how to communicate effectively with clients and how they handle stress.

 

Human errors

Human errors happen every day. Whether it’s a worker dropping something, a machine breaking down, or someone making a mistake while doing their job, there are times when things go wrong. When that happens, it’s important to understand how much it costs you and what steps you can take to avoid those mistakes.

 

Weather delays

Construction projects are often delayed by factors outside of the control of contractors. Weather conditions, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, and snowstorms, are just some examples of things that can delay projects.

This causes problems because most contracts require work to be completed within a certain timeframe. When deadlines are missed, contractors may resort to cutting corners on quality or making mistakes. These actions may increase the overall average cost of the job.

 


Importance of improving profitability for construction projects

The importance of improving profitability on a construction project cannot be overstated. If you don’t have a positive bottom line, it doesn’t matter how much work you do, you won’t be able to grow your business.

When it comes to running a successful business, building projects always seem to be a good investment. However, most businesses don’t realize how much work goes into getting a job done. There are many factors involved, such as hiring employees, purchasing materials and equipment, managing subcontractors, paying taxes and insurance, and keeping up with regulatory requirements, which all incur direct and indirect costs.

On top of that, there are often unforeseen expenses like unexpected weather conditions or problems with the job site itself. These factors add up quickly, especially when you factor in the cost of labor, overhead, and profit margins. So, even though a job looks easy enough on paper, it actually takes quite a lot of effort to complete it successfully.

The key to making the best use of every dollar spent on a job is to maximize profits while minimizing losses. This is where using lean principles can help. Lean management techniques focus on reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and improving customer satisfaction. By adopting these strategies, you can save time and money, which ultimately leads to increased profitability.

Improve your profitability with project management software

 


9 ways contractors can reduce costs on construction projects

Costs in construction can vary greatly. Each construction phase has its own costs attached to it. Thankfully, there are different things that you can do to make the building phase more cost-effective. Below are some expert tips for contractors to reduce costs on construction projects.

 

Buy in bulk

Many suppliers offer discounts for larger purchases. Buying materials in large quantities saves money on transport costs and allows you to buy the best quality products for less. If you buy in small amounts you are likely to be paying more for inferior products. Buying in bulk also reduces the risk associated with construction materials running out of stock. 

 

Reduce scope

It’s important to set realistic expectations for any type of project. If you’re able to clearly define them, you’ll be better equipped to manage your time and resources efficiently. When planning a new building, consider the financial constraints you must work within and identify design choices that may increase the overall costs of the building. Be clear with your client about any potential issues so they know that you’re working within their budgets. During the design phase, you can cut down on unnecessary features that would add to the final price tag.

 

Plan for risks

When you’re still in the pre-project phase, it’s critical to identify potential risks that might hinder the project, as these will incur extra project costs. By spending time upfront planning how to mitigate these risks, you’ll save yourself headaches down the track.

While there are many ways to do this, a risk assessment matrix is one of the best ways to go about it. You can list all of the potential risks associated with your project, and then rank them according to their importance. Once you’ve done this, you’ll know where the risks lie in terms of their likelihood and impact.

You can use this information to prioritize the risks and determine what actions you need to take to mitigate them. For example, if one of your biggest concerns is whether your client will deliver on time, you might want to make sure you include a contingency clause in your contract or add a penalty clause to your payment schedule.

 

Reduce complexity

Reducing project complexity is another simple way to save money during the planning and designing stages of a building project. Complex designs often require more time and materials than simpler ones. You can examine your plan carefully to identify areas where there is unnecessary complexity and work to remove them. Doing so will help you save time and energy during the actual building phase, and it might even make for a smoother, easier building experience.

 

Consider material alternatives

It’s important to consider different types of construction materials when designing a building or home. Some materials are cheaper than others but they may not be suitable for certain projects. Also, some materials are more energy efficient than others.

How to protect against unexpected increases in building material costs?

 

Reduce construction waste by using reusable materials whenever possible

Waste is the ultimate enemy when it comes to savings. So, if you want to cut costs, it’s important to avoid wasting materials whenever possible. Instead of discarding unused materials, try to recycle them whenever possible. Doing so will help you get the most out of every item, which is especially important during times of fluctuating material prices and overall economic inflation. Reduce your environmental impact by recycling any material you can. Reuse old items instead of throwing them out.

 

Streamline communication

Communication is key to successful building projects. Whether you’re communicating with clients, contractors, or subcontractors, clear communication helps keep everyone on the same page. In addition, keeping track of expenses is crucial to ensuring that money doesn’t get wasted. That’s why it’s so important to communicate frequently with all parties involved in a construction project.

As you’re working through your building project, be sure to keep communicating with your clients and any other builders regularly. You can use the Mobile Punch app for project management and employee time tracking. Many companies in the construction sector trust our solution to optimize their operations and save money. 

Learn more about the services and advantages of Mobile Punch

 

Properly manage subcontractors

Subcontractor rates may vary widely, so negotiating them can help bring your overall project budget down and save you some cash. Find the right mix of skills and experience for your needs. When hiring an architect, builder or engineer, consider how much experience they have, what kind of projects they’ve worked on before, and whether they’re willing to take on jobs outside their usual area of expertise. Ask if they’ll recommend a professional who specializes in similar services. And find out if they offer any guarantees on their work.

 

Invest in project management software

As we have highlighted, poor management is a key reason why the cost of construction projects is high. If you want to achieve maximum cost reduction whilst also improving the efficiency of the operations of your construction company, you should invest in a time and project management software.

Mobile Punch saves thousands of construction companies time and money. Our centralized app offers you access to the following key features: 

Get a free demo 

The technological landscape is evolving at a phenomenally fast pace. This is no different in the construction sector, as construction technology continues to evolve and propel the industry forward so that it becomes greener, cheaper, and faster. The challenge for the construction industry is not whether or not they will digitize their operations, but when and how they will adopt new technology to optimize revenues. In this post, we examine some of the most important construction technology innovations that will affect the industry in 2022.

What is construction technology?

Construction technology refers to the collection of innovative machinery, tools, modifications, software, etc. used during the construction process. The purpose of construction technology is to push the construction industry forward, drive innovation and advancement, and increase efficiency.

The impacts of the digital shift

What are examples of construction technology?

Artificial intelligence, BIM software, 3-D printing houses, and LiDAR are examples of construction project management that use automated construction technology. They are all designed to help the industry improve working conditions, efficiency, health and safety, and a variety of other factors.

What is the role of technology in construction?

As a result of the sanitary crisis, the construction sector is undergoing rapid change, and the need for increased process transparency and control is becoming more apparent. Many construction firms are investing in technology, with the most popular areas of focus being digitalization and supply chain management, allowing them to adapt to changing work environments.

In addition, the necessity for site-specific safety technology is becoming increasingly important. With the advancement of collaboration technologies, construction companies will be able to collaborate on a single integrated platform, making it the go-to solution for the industry’s rising health and safety concerns.

The industry has been dealing with a slew of other difficulties that have necessitated it becoming more agile and responsive. Skilled labor shortages, new sustainability and emission standards, advances in information technology and software, and ongoing health and safety concerns and practices are among them.

Forcing the industry to stay ahead of the game, technology such as robot labor and 3D printed houses, for example, has become a reality so swiftly that general contractors may not have noticed their evolving environment. It’s difficult to keep up with everything with so many developments happening so quickly.

Innovative technologies to watch for in the construction industry in 2022

Innovative technologies help the construction industry operate more effectively and focus on sustainability as resources become increasingly scarce.

Here are the most important technological trends for the construction sector in 2022:

Time Clocking Apps

Time tracking apps have revolutionized time management in the construction industry by reducing absenteeism and time theft. Mobile Punch is synonymous with thousands of dollars in savings. Imagine never having to complete timesheets on Fridays.

Our intuitive system calculates the hours worked precisely and gives construction companies real-time access to data. The software even automates professional report presentation for customers. By automating your timekeeping, Mobile-Punch can help you keep track of your time more efficiently.

Benefits of time clocking

When all features and benefits are evaluated, Mobile Punch is the best work time monitoring tool in Canada.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is a digital information layer that augments a view of the real world. Construction experts can look at a job site with additional information displayed immediately on top of the picture by utilizing a mobile device with AR capability.

A construction worker, for example, may point a tablet at a wall and have the tablet display the wall’s architectural drawings as if they were part of the physical environment. Because it gives more information exactly where it’s needed, augmented reality has tremendous implications for construction.

Applications

Here are some augmented reality applications:

While augmented reality can be utilized on a tablet or other portable computer, the future of augmented reality will most likely rely on AR glasses, which will allow users to have hands-free access to critical information at all times. Several construction wearables are expected to gain traction in the coming year, including these augmented reality glasses.

Wearables

Construction wearables have several productivity benefits, but their quick acceptance is likely due to their safety advantages. Construction is one of the most dangerous sectors to work in, with hundreds of workers injured each year due to falls and machine collisions. Wearable technology can improve worker safety and avoid injuries and deaths across the sector.

Technology Examples

Here are a few examples of construction wearables that are now available:

Smartwatches, monitors, and goggles, among other wearables, improve lone worker safety and tiredness detection. We’re at the start of a construction revolution that will optimize efficiency and safety.

Robots

Although construction robots are still a long way from taking over the sector, numerous designs and suggestions are being considered as the industry grapples with a manpower crisis and the need for social separation.

Here are three categories of robots that are changing the construction industry:

While such robots have yet to be widely employed in the construction industry, other once-futuristic technologies are now commonplace. Drones, for example, are already commonplace on building sites, performing tasks that would have been prohibitively expensive only a few years ago.

Drones

Small, camera-equipped flying drones can cut the cost of processes that were previously very expensive. Here are a few examples of how drones are helping on construction sites:

When no one is working, job sites are prone to theft of materials and equipment, but drones can monitor a site even when no one is present. Drones can also affect progress reporting, employee safety, and building inspections.

Modular Construction

Modular construction is a type of construction in which structures are built off-site, delivered in pieces, and assembled by cranes. Modular construction can be up to twice as fast as typical projects since the building is constructed while the site is being prepped.

Modular construction provides the following advantages:

Although modular construction is still a minor part of the overall industry, two-thirds of contractors expect it will grow in popularity in the coming years. 3D printing is a related technology that advantages both modular and traditional construction.

 

Calculate your potential annual savings

The digital self-diagnosis tool brought out by the Association de la Construction du Québec (ACQ) is a simple and intuitive approach that allows companies working in the construction sector to quickly assess and position their digital profile. Officially titled the Boussole Numérique, or the Digital Compass, this self-diagnosis tool is completely free and accessible online.

What is the free digital self-diagnosis tool of the ACQ?

The digital self-diagnosis tool is a simple and intuitive approach that allows companies working in the construction industry to quickly assess and position their digital capacity, competence and maturity and establish their digital profile.

The ACQ wished to develop a digital tool to help its members carry out a self-assessment of their company in terms of competence, capacity and/or digital maturity. In other words, draw up the digital profile of their company. The main objective of the ACQ is to equip its members and help them in their digital shift by offering them accessible avenues for improvement or resources.

To do this, the ACQ has mandated researchers from the Research Group on Integration and Sustainable Development in the Built Environment (GRIDD) and the Industrial Research Chair on the Integration of Digital Technologies in Construction from the École de Technologie Supérieure to develop the content of this tool.

New technological trends in construction


Why is it important to use this tool and how does it work?

Why is it important?

Using a self-diagnostic tool is a straightforward way to measure your business’s value while highlighting your its strengths and weaknesses. It also gives you a thorough overview of the present state of your company and what you should focus on to improve the company’s long-term prospects.

It can also be used to establish a strong business improvement plan based on individual measurements that are unique to your company. Whether you have highlighted a problem within your organization, but are struggling to find the cause of the problem, or whether you are looking to diagnose a known problem, this online self-diagnostic tool can help you find the best way forward for your business.

Finally, you can use the Boussole Numérique to generate new ideas for your business. With the ever-changing business climate and the progression of technology, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest changes and innovations.

 

How does it work?

The first thing you need to do is go on to the ACQ’s website and access the web page titled Boussole Numérique. After that, it’s as simple as following the link which guides you through the process.

The self-diagnosis tool has six questions that aim to help you understand your company’s position in relation to the industry. The questions consider your digital strategy, company culture and engagement, operations and procedure, information management, information technology, and external collaboration. At the end of the questionnaire, you will receive a thorough self-diagnosis.

The self-diagnosis includes a digital profile, as well as a detailed report. Furthermore, it highlights the different levels of digital maturity of your company. Overall, the free questionnaire should take around five minutes to complete, after which you will have a thorough self-diagnosis report.

Find out which of the 5 levels of maturity describes your business


Self diagnose your business

Need help implementing the changes suggested by the ACQ’s free online self-diagnosis tool? Mobile Punch can help you optimize your business through innovative and forward-thinking technologies.

Our time clock app allows you to:

 

Contact us 

Managing payroll effectively is one of the main challenges faced by HR departments in any industry. Not only is the appropriate management of payroll very time-consuming, but the large number of complex tasks that must be fulfilled can cause confusion, dissatisfaction, and even problems with the law.

Payroll processing is made up of several underlying procedures. A business must keep accurate records of all relevant documentation and devise workplace strategies to better handle employee paychecks, bonuses, and deductions. Furthermore, it is crucial to stay up-to-date with labor laws in order to reassure employees and governments that your business respects the law.

What is the purpose of payroll?

Payroll is extremely important because it is the main driver of employee motivation. Paying employees their full salary on time ensures that there is mutual trust between employers and the labor force. In addition, effective payroll management reflects well on a business’s reputation and financial stability.

What is employee time clock software?

What are the challenges in payroll?

Many aspects of payroll processing are considerably complex. Not only do companies have to fulfill their duties to salaried employees, they must also be compliant with the law by paying payroll taxes and fulfilling other critical processes. For example, they must calculate working hours precisely, manage timesheets and maintain accurate employee records.


7 tips to make payroll processing easier

1. Invest in a time clock app

Accurate tracking of employee hours is indispensable for effective payroll management. After all, knowing when and how much your employees are working is necessary to effectively issue employee paychecks. However, keeping track of the hours worked by every single employee on a consistent basis is a very strenuous and time-consuming task. The best way to adhere to an accurate and consistent pay schedule is to invest in time management software.

The features of a state-of-the-art time clock app allow you to precisely monitor your employees’ work day, including overtime hours and other variables that are relevant to their schedule. The software can also be used to maintain accurate records of an employee’s time off, sick leave, and other interruptions of their duties. Having this information at hand allows companies to deploy easier and faster payroll processing.

Employee time tracking software

2. Value the expertise of payroll talent

The world is facing a talent deficit. According to extensive research performed by Korn Ferry, 85 million jobs may go unfilled by 2030 because there will not be enough skilled workers to fill them (source).

According to Yannick Binvel, president of Korn Ferry’s Global Industrial Markets, “Governments and organizations must make talent strategy a key priority and take steps now to educate, train, and upskill their existing workforces”. In today’s uncertain market environment, it is important to value one’s skilled workforce and take strides towards helping them improve their skills.

A lack of skilled workers poses a double challenge to HR departments. Not only is the job of finding capable employees going to become harder, but finding individuals with the talent to do it is going to become harder as well.

The following strategies can be used to attract, nurture, and retain talent:

3. Create a steady payroll schedule

It becomes much easier to measure and issue employee wages if there is an organized payroll calendar in use. A functional payroll schedule also benefits employees in several ways. For instance, a steady payroll schedule will let everyone know when employee time cards are due. Likewise, a payroll schedule can ensure that all employees, including hourly workers, can have accurate information about how and when they get paid.

At its most basic level, a payroll schedule can be created by using a regular calendar as a guide. When looking at the calendar, one can devise the key dates of the month while also keeping an eye on special dates, such as holidays. It is important to be aware of the dates that might place a strain on payroll processing, so one can plan accordingly.

In order to satisfy the needs of employees, a payroll schedule should show all the pay periods within the year. This will help mitigate confusion about employee gross pay, time frames, and similar queries. Companies implementing this method must always keep templates of their payroll schedule at hand, as they will have to be redistributed on a periodic basis.

Nonetheless, these tasks can also be accomplished using the right software tools. Thanks to novel work schedule management solutions, companies can delegate all scheduling tasks to artificial intelligence. By taking on the role of a personal assistant, employee management software can aid HR teams with all the documentation they need for easy and accurate payroll activities.

How to tactfully make sure your employees are working

4. Ensure the scalability of payroll processing operations

Even if your company can make payroll simple for the current scale of your operations, it may not be able to continue doing so, once your business begins to grow. Setting up a payroll system that fulfills the needs of HR and can seamlessly comply with tax payments is a challenge for companies of all types and sizes. Companies expanding on an international scale are particularly vulnerable to the challenges related to business escalation.

When working with an international workforce, a company may need to keep track of different currencies and offer certain information, such as employee paychecks, in several languages. Furthermore, tax filings may differ depending on the country. In fact, sometimes different areas within a single country can have their own distinct tax regulations.

The complexities related to expanding payroll operations can be mitigated with the use of a centralized system to manage payroll. By having access to an intuitive digital hub with a variety of novel tools and features, employers and HR professionals can automatically coordinate payroll procedures on an international scale.

Embracing centralization for payroll management gives companies better insight into their international payment requirements. It also increases the agility and smoothness of payroll activities. By intertwining payroll software with HR tools and speeding up communication between teams, a centralized payroll system enables companies to create global payroll and reporting capabilities.

Employee benefits to mobile punching

5. Always be clear and transparent with payroll management

Employee morale can be negatively impacted due to frustration with faulty payroll systems. If employee paychecks do not reflect the amount of money that employees were expecting to be paid, for instance, this can result in generalized feelings of mistrust from workers. A similar issue can arise if the personal information of employees has been wrongfully added to the records, as it can generate problems when employees attempt to retrieve their paycheck.

Your payroll policy should be clear and easy to understand. All critical matters related to payroll should be effectively communicated to employees. The following critical data points should be included within the payroll information that is available to all salaried employees:

Information of this nature should be easy to obtain by your employees. It should be included in employee manuals or handbooks, as it will help create a workplace standard. A secure online portal can also be set up to give employees access to data related to their paychecks, withholdings, and benefits.

6. Keep up to date with rules and regulations

All activities that constitute the exchange of goods and services for currency are regulated by the law. If a business is not aware of the current state of wage and hour laws, tax filing deadlines, forms, regional law differences, and other regulations, then it is bound to encounter serious legal trouble. Payroll can be severely impacted by missed deadlines, penalties, and other issues caused by non-compliance with the law.

7. Use technology to the fullest

Manually processing payroll can be extremely time-consuming and mind-numbing. Manual tasks needed to successfully run payroll, such as entering the salary details of every worker, can consume a considerable amount of an HR professional’s time. Furthermore, manual filing of multiple entries can potentially lead to human error. Because payroll information is very sensitive, even honest mistakes can lead to legal trouble.

By deploying software solutions capable of handling the bulk of payroll activities, you can free your company and your HR team from a huge amount of toil and stress. Avant-garde workplace management artificial intelligence can be used not only to improve the capabilities of payroll but also to improve the management of schedules and timesheets, and for project tracking.

The implementation of the best management software can make payroll easier by offering businesses the following advantages:

Thanks to the development of revolutionary methods of software deployment, technological solutions capable of improving operational efficiency can be acquired by businesses of all sizes. Affordable monthly subscription fees, secure cloud servers, and low data usage make the software incredibly accessible. Constant updates and continuous improvements guarantee that adopters of the software will see it improve with the passing of time.

Contact us 

With the global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, we need to address issues surrounding sustainable development. But, what is sustainable construction, and what steps can be taken to implement sustainable building practices?

 

What is sustainable construction?

Sustainable construction involves making buildings that have minimal impact on the environment, while still meeting the needs of the people who live in them. This includes reducing energy consumption and waste production, using renewable materials, minimizing noise pollution, and improving indoor air quality.

There are many ways to achieve sustainability within the construction process including:

The goal of sustainable construction is to make our built environment healthier, cleaner, and safer for future generations.

 

Why is sustainable construction important?

At the end of the day, we all need to be working to leave the planet in a better state than we found it in, and sustainable construction is just one small part of achieving that. The construction industry has a big footprint. Energy consumption alone makes up about one-third of the global total, and it continues to grow.

Construction accounted for $7 trillion worth of economic activity globally in 2017, according to the World Economic Forum, highlighting how big the industry is, and therefore how big of an impact it can have on the planet. This includes everything from residential homes to office blocks, hospitals to hotels, shopping malls to stadiums. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce our carbon footprint and save money while developing these huge projects.

Informed decisions throughout the life cycle of a building means less waste and lower costs. Using recycled or renewable raw materials reduces the need for raw resources and helps protect the natural environment. Choosing low-energy lighting systems saves electricity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Building codes require high levels of insulation to keep heat inside and cold outside. Designing spaces around people rather than machines means fewer air conditioning units and lower operating costs. All of these things add up to a better bottom line.

Reduce your carbon footprint with Mobile Punch

 

The challenges of sustainable construction

Although the benefits of environmentally friendly sustainable construction methods are apparent and evident, transitioning isn’t an overnight process. It requires time and planning to implement the best practices. Training must be implemented in order to begin integrating sustainable methods into the construction industry, and that requires time and money.

Another barrier that many businesses may encounter is the actual increase in building material costs. Nevertheless, as more interest in sustainable development efforts continues to grow, more construction firms are beginning to make the transition to sustainable construction, with greener building activities rising.

The benefits of sustainable construction

Sustainable building practices are now more popular than ever before. There are many reasons why this is so. Below we have listed some of the major benefits of sustainable construction which are causing sustainable practices to be adopted by construction companies across the globe.

1. Promotes healthier living

Green construction projects are becoming increasingly popular because they offer several benefits to both the environment and the people living. One study found that green buildings actually improve health.

In one experiment, researchers evaluated the effects of different types of offices on employee performance. They discovered that those working in green buildings scored higher on tests measuring cognitive function and decision-making skills. Employees also reported feeling happier and healthier after moving into a green building.

The study also revealed that seasonal affective disorder — otherwise known as SAD — was reduced in patients who moved into green hospitals. This could be due to the fact that natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms, which play a role in mood disorders like depression.

2. Reduces waste

The reduction of construction waste is another benefit of green buildings. As it turns out, there are many ways to reduce waste during the construction process. One way is to make sure that you don’t have too much material in the first place. For example, you could choose to build with less concrete, which saves money and reduces waste.

Another way to save is to use less energy during construction. This includes things like choosing to heat or cool spaces with natural air rather than forced air systems.  Also, consider how you can reuse existing structures such as windows, doors, roofs, and walls to keep costs down. There are even companies that specialize in helping builders achieve LEED certification, which helps them earn points towards sustainability goals.

3. Boosts the economy

The construction industry contributes about $141 billion annually to the Canadian economy, which accounts for around 7.5% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In fact, the sector employs over 1.4 million people in Canada.

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the number of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes is expected to increase. These disasters could cause billions of dollars worth of damage to homes and businesses. To protect against such losses, builders must use sustainable materials and methods. Green buildings consume less energy and water, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and saving money over the long term. They also require fewer resources to build, reducing waste and thus lowering costs.

4. Promotes sustainability

The construction industry can make a huge difference when it comes to addressing climate change. According to the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Engineers Without Borders, construction projects around the world consume nearly half of the world’s electricity. By switching to renewable sources like solar power, wind turbines, and hydroelectric dams, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.

Construction sites produce large amounts of waste material but when properly disposed of, construction debris can actually be recycled and reused. For example, concrete and asphalt pavement can be used to pave roads and parking lots and concrete foundations can be used to build homes and office buildings. Other materials like steel and wood can be turned into new products.

 

How do we ensure sustainability in construction?

The three main things that construction companies must consider when it comes to sustainable construction are the materials, techniques, and equipment that they use. If they can get these three categories right, they can have a serious positive environmental impact that will encourage sustainability in construction.

Sustainable construction materials

Now that we’ve discussed why sustainable construction practices are so important, you’re likely wondering, what are the sustainable construction renewable materials I can use? Examples include:

Other examples of sustainable construction materials include:

Sustainable construction techniques

There are many ways to incorporate sustainability into construction projects. In fact, there are even some specific terms used to describe different approaches. Here are a few examples:

Sustainable construction equipment

When it comes to going green, getting rid of old technologies that are bad for the environment and using sustainable construction equipment are imperative. By using advanced technology equipment, construction companies can reduce their carbon footprint.

 

Save time and money with Mobile Punch

Having a positive impact on the environment within the construction industry goes beyond the material, techniques, and equipment that you need to make the buildings. It is not worth half committing to the cause, you need to do everything you can from start to finish to reduce your ecological footprint. At Mobile Punch, we believe that everyone needs to do their part to help the environment. Our mobile app allows construction companies to go paperless as well as optimize their operations.

Here are key features of our time management solution:

 

Book a mobile punch demo

Having trouble keeping on top of all the things on your plate at work? We’ve all been there; we’re human after all. However, when you get into the office and realize that you didn’t even manage to eat breakfast, you know it is time to change your habits. The good news is that there is always time to change the way you work to make it more efficient. Keep reading to discover 10 time-saving ideas and ways to improve your time management skills.

How to Master Time Management at Work 

1. Figure out where you spend most of your time

When it comes to time management tips to improve your personal productivity, you must create a time estimate for everything you do during a day at work. This includes both your professional life and your personal life. You should: 

If you track time, you’ll get an idea of how much of your life is taken up by unproductive thinking, talking, and doing. It will also give you insight into whether you’re most effective at certain times of the day. 

2. Create a schedule and stick to it

This step is absolutely critical if you wish to learn how to manage your time. Do not begin your daily routine without creating a list of your most important priorities or tasks for the rest of the week. When you finish working at the end of each week, review the list and make any necessary adjustments before beginning the following week.

Writing down your schedule will help you avoid sleepless nights as you will be more organized and checking off items on your to-do list will give you peace of mind. Don’t wait until the last minute to create a plan for the next day and create SMART goals. You can even use an online calendar to make your life easier.  Using a virtual timesheet will help you stick to the schedule you have set for yourself. Apps such as Mobile Punch allow you to track the work you do easily from your mobile phone.

Find out more about Mobile Punch

3. Prioritize wisely

When organizing your to-do list and online calendar for effective task completion, prioritize your activities so that you complete the most critical ones first. Then focus on completing the rest of your priorities.

Make sure you evaluate your to-do lists and organize them by their importance instead of their urgency. Assign time blocks for each individual task and then rank them. Important tasks help you achieve your professional objectives, whereas pressing tasks need immediate action and are related to someone else’s priorities. 

Once you learn how to prioritize your tasks, management becomes a whole lot easier. You can use apps such as Mobile Punch which have an electronic agenda to make prioritizing easier. You’ll be able to spend your time wisely during those days when there just isn’t enough time for everything. 

4. Group similar tasks together

Another great tip for effective time management is to avoid trying to do everything at once. If you break down each task into smaller tasks, then you’ll find it much easier to get them done. You may feel overwhelmed and your stress levels will likely rise with too many things to do at once, but if you break down each task into small steps, you’ll find it much more manageable. 

5. Avoid multitasking

When working on a project, focus on the task at hand and ignore everything else around you. It can be tempting to accommodate everything on your plate on a daily basis, but jumping between tasks means you are not giving anything your all. This will not lead to successful time management. Don’t let your mind wander off into other tasks as this will increase your stress levels. Stay focused on what you’re doing and complete each step without interruption.

By blocking out distractions, you’ll increase your productivity and get things done faster. Don’t get overwhelmed by a to-do list that stretches for miles. Trying to complete everything on that list won’t shorten it; instead, just focus on completing each item one at a time. A time tracking app will help you better manage your work schedule

6. Set deadlines for tasks

When scheduling tasks, consider setting deadlines for each task rather than simply working until they’re completed. Giving yourself a time limit will help ensure you do not get overwhelmed with too much work all at once. The Pomodoro technique is one of the best tools for time management as you set aside blocks of time for specific tasks, with real-time deadlines. It also gives you a chance to take regular rest periods throughout the day.

When you’re trying to finish something, it helps to know what you should do next. A to-do list helps you stay organized and focused. Mobile Punch comes with a built-in project management app that makes it easy to schedule tasks, manage your projects and optimize resource planning. Companies can track the progress of their projects thanks to real-time reports.

The best time tracking app

7. Take breaks

One of the most enjoyable ways to manage your time at work is by making breaks a regular aspect of your day. Integrating buffers between tasks will ensure you still get to enjoy some obligatory time for yourself. Whenever you complete a task, take a break to relax and re-energize, it’s the hidden key to the art of time management.

What you do during this time is up to you. You can catch up on personal phone calls, go out for lunch or sneak in a little power nap. Something as small as a 5-10 minute buffer time between tasks will give you that additional time you need to re-focus your energy on your work. 

8. Be comfortable with saying no

If you want to become an expert at managing your time at work, you must learn to say no. Only you truly understand what you’re capable of doing, so if you feel that taking on a task is not something you can handle right now, don’t hesitate to tell someone else who might be able to help out instead. 

Instead of doing lots of demanding tasks that don’t add any value, focus your effort on completing fewer but more valuable tasks. Delegating is not easy so if you can’t say no to something,  give it a go. When you’re able to successfully handle things yourself, you can start delegating them to others.

9. Get organized

To keep your workspace organized, create a system where everything is filed into categories. You may find yourself filing documents based on what they’re about rather than where they were found. Little details can add up to big results so keep your files organized. Don’t miss out on important messages and unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read. You only have to do these tasks once, but you’ll reap the rewards forever.

Find out how an advanced time tracking app can help you

10. Eliminate distractions

Social networking sites, email, texting, phone calls — the list goes on and on. These days, we’re constantly connected to our friends and family online, which can prevent us from completing assignments on time. It’s important to take control of your life and learn how to manage your time effectively. Time management software can be a big help with keeping you on track.

Here are time management tips to help you to do just that:

Time Management App

The obligatory time that you have to dedicate to certain jobs and the seemingly endless list of tasks that you are presented with at work can make it difficult to accurately track the time you are spending at work. Thankfully, Mobile Punch is here to help you. Our app allows you to seamlessly clock in and out of work at the touch of a button, making it easier for employers and employees to track time at work. 

Here are key features of our time management solution: 

Interested in Mobile Punch?

Contact Us

Mobile-Punch saves thousands of companies time and money. Call us to find out how we could do the same for yours!

We are located at:
5955, rue Saint-Laurent
Lévis, Quebec
G6V 3P5