Business

5 Tips for Keeping Your Construction Project on Schedule

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2023

Construction projects are known for getting behind schedule. In fact, McKinsey & Company reports that large projects across asset classes typically take 20% longer than planned and are up to 80 percent over budget.

There are many things that can delay a construction project: bad weather, supply chain issues, faulty workmanship, overbooked crews, and more.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. To keep your construction project on schedule, here are five things you can do:

Review construction plans

Before you break ground, it’s important to review construction plans. These include the scope of work, construction drawings, and other project documents.

Make sure you and all your subcontractors review them so that everyone is on the same page. If there are any questions, be sure to answer them.

Then have everyone sign a written contract outlining their responsibility and deadlines. When it’s all in the contract, things are more likely to stay on schedule.

Create a master schedule

Create a master schedule for everyone to see. Break the project down into phases and put tasks and assignments into the proper sequence.

The master schedule gives everyone visibility into what stage the construction project is currently at. For example, it can help painters know when the insulation has been installed so they know when the walls are ready for them to paint.

Communicate and collaborate

Next, you need to establish standard forms of communication, whether that be by text message, email, or some other method. Determining how information will be communicated is critical in avoiding confusion and disputes later on.

Good communication needs to be built on trust and respect for all team members. Everyone should have access to project updates so they stay in the loop. To prevent unnecessary delays, an open door policy with project managers is best.

Monitor and document progress

Unfortunately, projects rarely adhere to schedule 100% of the time. Chances are you will need to make minor adjustments here and there, and that’s okay.

The key is to closely monitor a project’s progress so you can quickly get back on schedule. One way to do this is to create daily reports on milestones hit. That way, everyone knows where the project currently sits.

Another way to monitor and document construction progresss is to use construction enterprise asset management (EAM) software. It allows you to input project updates and easily disseminate them across your team. But that’s just one feature of construction EAM software. It can also help you:

Meet construction industry safety and compliance requirements
Increase revenue and profitability
Reduce costs and capital requirements
Prevent equipment breakdowns
Maintain optimum parts inventories
And optimize project budgets

When it comes to construction project management, construction EAM software has you covered.

Make contingency plans

Lastly, it’s important to have a plan B (and C and D) if things don’t go according to plan.

For example, your construction project might be delayed by a storm or supply chain issues. In this case, you may want to alter the construction schedule or assign overtime to make up for lost time.

Keep a close eye on progress reports to manage risks and delays and find creative ways to minimize and make up for them.

The bottom line

Despite most construction projects getting delayed, you can still finish yours on time.

By reviewing construction plans, creating a master schedule, communicating and collaborating, monitoring and documenting progress, and making contingency plans, you can mitigate the threat of delays and even finish ahead of schedule.

The key is to have a proactive mindset. With good planning and prevention, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.