Rain and Construction Jobsites don’t mix

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It becomes very difficult to work on a hot summer or on a chilled winter in a construction jobsite but it is nearly impossible to work during the monsoon. When it rains heavily the entire jobsite is full of dirt and water that workers find it extremely hard to work. Operators are also unable to operate their heavy equipment in the muddy water. Moreover there is always a risk posed to the heavy equipment if you force your way inside the marshy land. It is definitely not the right thing to do if you are concerned about your machines.

If you are laying the foundation for a high rise building, you have to dig deep inside the ground. Now if it rains, it will cover the entire place with water. The solution to this will be to remove the water completely through some water suction equipment and then finish the job. Now the problem is once you begin to remove water from the ditch and if it rains again, it will once again fill the place with water. So you may have to wait and see that it does not rain for a week’s time so that you can continue with the same process and then complete the work. In this entire process, you have lost a lot of your time and money just to remove water from the ditch. You may also have to depend a lot on the metropolitan department for their predictions. However, it is just mere predictions and can be wrong as well.

Moving our focus to heavy equipment and how rains can be a game spoiler when it comes to your expensive construction machines. If your heavy equipment is not well maintained and not painted, there are high chances that it may begin rusting. The skin of the machine will come off from its layer and it will look shabbier than before. You have to spend some money on painting it in order to give it a new look. Other than that, there is always a chance of dirt making its way inside the machine and getting settled in there. Also many people are of the opinion that it is a big waste of money to clean or service heavy equipment as it will become dirty the moment you start using it in the rain.

It will also affect your business big time. A lot of your work will remain pending because of rains and if it is incessant then it makes matter worse for you. You may work on strict timelines but incessant rains can force you to alter your plans and change the deadlines. It is never easy to change deadlines and if you do so you, it comes with a lot of ramifications. It also has the potential to tarnish your goodwill. Many construction companies have found that rain and construction jobsites just do not mix well with each other and it is therefore for the best interest of the industry and also of their individual companies that they try to keep all unimportant tasks during the monsoons.

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Heavy Equipment Guy

Being customer centric will help you grow in the construction business

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Customers are considered as king of the market. The makers of products produce goods on the basis of the wants and demands in the market and the wants and demands are of the customers. This means that they have to produce items that are in trend and are liked by people at that time. Though trend keeps on changing so once the trend changes the makers also have to switch to the next trend that making buzz in the market. They always have to be on their toes to meet the needs and demands of the customers. While they are meeting the needs of the customers they also need to pay good deal of attention to the fact that they provide them with exceptional quality or else customers always have a choice and they can move on to the next provider. You will only end up in losing business simply because you did not give much importance to the quality of the product.

In the construction domain, the voice of the customer plays a very crucial role in the growth of a company. They may have the best heavy equipment and may use top notch materials to build the buildings but at the end of the day they also need to check that whatever they are constructing, is it as per the wants of the customer and does it goes with the trend of the time.

Knowing the pulse of the customer is important:-

For the survival and steady growth of the construction company, it is very important that they first try to read the pulse of the customer. Check what they can do to make things better for them and accordingly build something that should not be less than exceptional. Customers should feel that they have got the worth of their money and you in turn build reputation from your good work. Getting new businesses in this domain becomes difficult when you do not have goodwill backing your company. If you are into building apartments for people to live, your reputation will speak about you and therefore people will book the apartments right from the period the building is getting constructed. You can achieve this reputation only if you can read the pulse of the customer properly.

Provide them with state of the art amenities:-

When you sell apartments that have state of the art amenities, it sells faster. You can market the apartments on the basis of the amenities that you will offer to the general public. Knowing on what you will offer, people will be interested to book their apartments in your building. This also acts as a brilliant marketing strategy that will drive many to go for apartments constructed by you. You can also charge them for the luxury but that should not be exponential. You should not be money oriented but should be more customer centric. You should quote the amount that gives you your profit. If you try to become greedy and quote higher amount, people will look for someone else.

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Heavy Equipment Articulated Truck Tires

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When working in rough conditions, we often want the best of heavy equipment to be deployed. In the similar fashion, when we talk about trucks, we want its tires to be of extremely supreme quality. The tires of the articulated trucks define the overall quality of the truck. This however does not undermine the other intrinsic features available in a truck. It is just that the tires which holds the entire weight of the truck while it is stagnant or moving determines if the truck is vulnerable to rough terrain. The prices of articulated trucks are also determined based on the quality of tires installed on them. Not all articulated trucks have the same quality of tires. There are some trucks that are meant to perform in extreme rough conditions and the rest works inside the city. So the kind of tires used in both the trucks is absolutely different.

The selection of tires have become little complicated given the number of applications used with the earth moving equipment has increased manifolds. So when you go to shop tires for your heavy equipment, you got to know which one will suit your machine. Not every tire can take the pressure and for specific use you need specific tires. This makes the selection difficult. So when you go out to shop for tires, it is advisable that you do a good study on tires and which tire works in what kind of condition. Taking advices from people whom know about the subject can be helpful. You can try and get some information from internet but that may be too limited and may not speak precisely on the subject you want to know. Therefore, talking out to an expert must be the next best option for you.

Powerful machines need powerful tires:-

Construction industry is quite a demanding one and in order to fulfill its demand one has to deploy powerful machines. Powerful machines are nothing but machines that are capable of doing work faster and consume less human effort. Concurrently, you also want the work to be completed with precision. This all leads to heavy equipment with lot of power in it. But you can’t afford to have normal tires on these power packed heavy equipment. This means that you now also have to change the tires of the machine because if you try to work on the old tires, it will unnecessarily put extra pressure on tires and there are chances that it may give up every now and then. Therefore, changing the tires of the machine with more powerful tires seems to be the next best option.

Buy tires from leading brands:-

When you are investing in quality heavy equipment, it also makes sense to buy tires from leading tire manufacturing brands. The leading manufacturing brands produces tires after doing a lot of research and development on the subject. They understand tires better than we do and therefore we need to just tell them the heavy equipment we need tires for and they will get the best product for us. The price may be slightly higher than tires of lesser known brands but it should be worth the price.

 

 

Heavy equipment accessories can turn out to be a good business opportunity

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One always do not need to get into the construction business to reap volumes of profits but can also consider taking up businesses that is closely connected to the construction business. For instance, one can see himself doing well in supplying raw materials. For this business to flourish all you need is good contacts with the real supplier from another state who in turn will ship the materials to your state and you eventually hand it over to the company. So your work is to ensure that the stuffs have been shipped on time and it also reaches the construction company on time. Other than this there is one more business which is quite thriving and that one should give a good thought to exploit it.

Heavy equipment are required by almost everybody in the construction arena. Now one machine can be used for many purposes provided the accessories are changed. You can start something that deals with the accessories part. You do not have to sell the entire machine and only need to concentrate on the different types of accessories that a machine is compatible with and then sell the right stuff to your customers.

Knowing about different attachments is crucial:-

Before you get going with selling attachments of heavy equipment you got to first upgrade your knowledge about the different types of attachments that are available. The reason why this is important is that you will be dealing in an out with it and not knowing much about what you are dealing with can lead you to lot of issues. The ground rule of starting any business is to first know a bit about the business and preferably have worked in the same line of business for a quite a time. This will help you to understand your business better and you will be able to take on any challenge that may on your way.

Sell attachments of all heavy equipment companies:-

You can’t manage to sell items of one particular brand. Customers will come to you for attachments of various brands and you got to cater to them. What you can possible do is take the orders from them and some advance payments so that you can in turn place the order to the company. Once they ship the item to you, you can give it to your customer. Give good discounts to your customers so that they stick to you and do not wander to any other such store or buy it online. Remember, customers’ today have a lot of options from where they can buy their stuffs. It is just that when they go to buy online they will not get much offer as what you can give them. Other than this, they also look for some valuable suggestions. For instance, if they are not sure about a particular attachment and need some kind of guidance, they will expect to get it from you. Giving them any valuable suggestion will bring them back to you.

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Challenges contractors face in the construction business

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Every business has its own ups and downs and people who own a business have to go through several challenges in order to survive in it. Similarly, construction business is all about taking up challenges coming from various corners and turning every calamity into a possible opportunity. Well this defines your character and the temperament you have got. This will also define if you will be able to carry on for long in this industry. Many join the construction business thinking that it is easy money. People who think this way have never been a part of this industry before and one who has been a part will never think this way.

They fear to broaden their horizons:-

Some contractors are doing marvelously in their area but when it comes to expand their business and move to other states, they catch cold feet thinking about it. They may have to overcome a lot of difficulties and uncertainties but that is part of the game and since they have created their comfort zone in the place they are operating then someone else might come there who will be a bigger player and might eat up the small fish. This is a stark reality of this industry. No one is secure in this form of a business and this is why it is important for contractors to expand their wings and think of flying higher. Differences in regulations and laws between the states will persist but when you start to get into it you will find that most of the laws of the other state that you are venturing in is the same as it is in your state. There may few minute differences but apart from that everything else will be common.

Trustworthy laborers are a real challenge:-

Construction workers are hard to find especially when there are big companies who are picking them for a better package. Contractors are losing their men to these big companies and hence find this to be a bigger threat than anything else. Well, the solution for this is quite simple. You need to increase the pay of your skilled labor. Workers ideally do not want to leave their existing employer if they are paid as per the industry standards. They know their worth for sure and it is time that contractors too know their worth. Once you begin to pay them like others do you will rarely see the laborers leaving your company?

Embrace technology with both hands:-

The sooner you befriend technology the better it will be for you and for your business. Right from having the latest device on your heavy equipment to creating a website that is visible to everyone, you need to ensure that you do not lack a bit when it comes to using technological applications. Get hold of a website designer who has created websites of construction companies and other contractors. Such guys will know the kind of stuff you need in your website and therefore will make the best for you.

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Never let the zeal to get more business dry out

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One should always be satisfied with whatever little he gets but at the same time his hunger to get more should not die. It is perhaps this passion of his that will keep him ticking during the rough patches of his business. Laying concrete strategy is one thing but when it has to come to the ground for implementation there lies the real zeal of the business owner and this zeal to get more and more business will also take him to the many levels that many aspire to reach in the construction industry.

Many enter the construction business with an incorrect notion that they can make good money without having to shed much effort. They believe that getting business is simple but industry experts find the truth to be completely other way round. In order to get business you need to have all your stuffs in place. Right from heavy equipment to a track record that is impeccable, you have to display all of them to get some business.

Getting small may not be much of a struggle but there will be a point when you will mind doing petty work and want to get into something bigger. This is when you will start experiencing acute hardships and failures. They may even become the part and parcel of your daily routine but this is what the leaders of the construction industry had also gone through. They had their share of rough patches but what they did different that most did not do is they stuck to the ground and kept their zeal alive to continue the search of getting more business.

Your confidence will keep your zeal alive:-

Folks who are new to the business and do not have anyone who can guide them ideally lose their confidence when they see things not working for them. They do not see the light out of the tunnel and find themselves to be completely lost in their endeavor. It is absolutely critical for such men to first generate some confidence and remain hopeful that luck will favor them. When you go to market your company, the person on the other side of the table first checks your confidence and then the stuff that you are presenting. So you may be marvelous in your work but self-confidence also speaks loud and you need to pay stress on developing that. It actually keeps your enthusiasm to get more business alive.

People start knowing you:-

You drop in to the office to check if they can give you a contract. They saying NO should not disappoint you because by reaching out to them and dropping your business card at their office will let them remember you. Also check out the classified part where people are looking out for contractors to give them work. So be open to that as well and try and meet as many people as you can. A “NO” now does not mean a “NO” forever. There will be a time when they will really need your services. So meeting people often should be your priority.

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Oil Field In 2017

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Crude oil has always been seen as being one of the most important sources of energy that has fuelled the growth of modern civilization. With the growth and progress of modern civilization depending largely on the oil, it is therefore, no wonder that the oilfields constitute as one of the most important sectors that determine a number of other global factors such as the economy, technological advancements and the like.

Trends in the Oil Field Sector to Watch Out For In 2017

2016 being an eventful year in many ways for the oil field industry, 2017 is expected to be more so. When it comes to predicting the future of this industry it is possible for even the astute experts to go wrong. Though it is easier to talk about the trends in the oil field industry in hindsight rather than the future possibilities, there are certain trends that one could watch out for in the coming year.

The demand and supply gap is likely to reduce in the coming year with a gradual reduction in the stockpile. While the global capital expenditure is likely to remain weak, exploration and production capital in the US is likely to bounce back. It is also expected to be a good year for Russia and the Middle East.

With the Exploration and Production companies resetting their financial allocation at higher levels, the impetus of the rigs based in the US and Canada are likely to roll over into 2017 from 2016. There is likely to be a proportionate reduction in the rig demand and drilling time, with the average utilization of rigs causing a hike of about $2000-3000 per day.

The offshore drillers are likely to get a boost in the coming year largely owing to the decision of the OPEC. The clearing of credit tracks is been seen as an effective contributor to the reduction in overhead pressures.

The demand in pressure pumping and frac horsepower are also likely to take some time before they gain the desired momentum. Entrepreneurs are more concerned with the maintenance of market shares more than a hike in the price at the moment.

3 Key Oil Projects to Look Out For In 2017

The prices of oil and gas gradually came to a stable point and the prominent oil producers reacted to these changes in a variety of ways in 2016. In spite of the various cuts in the budget in the previous year, a considerable amount of promising investments are being expected to roll out in 2017.

  • Turkish stream– After a period of stagnation, Russia and Turkey are likely to move forward with the Turkish Stream Pipeline project in 2017. The first phase of this project is likely to be complete within the year 2019 and the total cost of the project has been estimated to be about $15.1 billion.
  • Egina field development– With project cost of about $16 billion, the Engina field development project in Nigeria is all set to be able to start its first oil production by 2018.
  • Tengiz field expansion– The Tengiz Field Operations in Kazakhstan is likely to begin from 2017 with a project cost of $36.8 billion.

In conclusion, one could say that 2017 will definitely be an eventful year for the oil field industry all throughout the globe.

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Want to hop in the construction arena – read the essentials

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Having a business of own is every man’s dream and if one gets to set his foot in the construction industry then there is no looking back for him. But the truth is that firstly it is not so simple to get into the construction industry if you do not know much about it and secondly if at all you make your way in the sector, you may find it pretty hard to sustain. People with good financial backing find it extremely difficult to survive in the construction arena. The reasons are plenty. Right from severe competition to ever changing mood of the industry, a businessman has to battle it all in order to keep his place secure. But it has been seen that many are unable to strive the tide and they get drown. Therefore, once needs to be mentally prepared for the tough life and also with the harsh realities that they may encounter after they have made their way inside the industry.

We would be speaking in depth about the essentials that a person should have before they decide to start a construction business.

Technical know-how is a must:-

For people who do not relate to the construction industry nor knows anyone who belongs to this domain should take few lessons on how to run the business and then decide if they want to make their way in. Not knowing the technical know-how can cost him dearly and he may become the part of the larger lot who has left the business. Technical know-how does not mean that you should be well versed with all the jargons or should know how to drive or repair heavy equipment; but it certainly means that should know a bit of everything. For instance, if the heavy equipment develops a problem, you should know where to get it fixed rather than being clueless what to do next. Similarly, if you experience a strange problem in your business and are unable to know the way out, you should at least know of somebody who can get this fixed.

Know your finances well:-

People ideally become very eager with the idea of starting a new business forgetting the fact that the business need investments and if they are unable to arrange the finances then things can go awry and they may fall flat on their face. Therefore when they are struck with the idea of opening a new business, they should first check their finances. See if they have any opportunity to get any loans and estimate the time by when they can repay it off. They also need to decide if they have to buy heavy equipment or take it on rent and whether they have sufficient funds in doing either of the two options.

Hunting for projects:-

Getting work is the primary goal after you have set up the business. You should work hard to form a sales and marketing team and check who is good in selling. If you have the skill to sell, you become the head of the sales department and lead the team. However, at the end of the day, you should have few projects in hand.

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How to train the newcomers in the construction industry

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Recruiting new people in your company is a sign that your company is growing. But apart from that, it becomes the responsibility of the tenured men/women to see that the newcomers feel at ease. They do not have to struggle for petty things. Since they are new to the company they will not know the rules and regulations formed by the company for its employees and therefore they might do something that is kind of forbidden in the rulebook of that particular company.

The veterans should therefore lead the way and informed the new guys of the rules. Things that they should do and stuffs that they should refrain from doing should be explicitly communicated to them. Other than that, they should be guided with other facilities like restrooms, pantry, cafeteria etc. Most importantly, they should be guided on doing their work the right way.

Day in and day out, new people join the construction industry. Some are absolutely new to the industry and some have worked in other construction companies and have switched jobs. There is a variance among these 2 sections. For the ones who are absolutely new to the industry should be taken care quite delicately. They do not know anything about the business and hence they should be first given some training so that they understand the etiquettes of the business. Simultaneously they should also be trained on their work so that they can learn both the things at the same time. Being new to the industry, they might take some time to understand how things work here but if they are sharp, they will catch things up real soon.

For people who already have some experience in the construction industry, they only need to be updated about the etiquettes one should follow while they are a part of the company. Rest is expected to be already known to them.

One should be patient while training newbie:-

The trainer or veteran who has been assigned the responsibility to train the newbie has to be a guy with ample patience. He just can’t manage to lose his cool. The new guys will throw questions at him. Some will make sense to him and some will not. But he should not disregard any question or grumble when he gets a question that is according to him an incorrect one or make no sense. The newcomers are bound to make all sorts of question and the trainer needs to answer them patiently and by giving examples.

Practical approach is a must:-

Training on any construction related subject can’t be taught only in a classroom. They guys need to learn things on the jobsite. They need to see things happening and how others are working. They should be allowed to try while they have someone around them who will monitor their work and if correct them if they go wrong. This is perhaps the only way by which they can learn things sooner.

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Construction Market in USA in 2017

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The construction market of 2016 in the USA has seen a mixed response. There was an upheaval of opportunities in the first half of the previous year. However, the momentum that the construction industry experienced and encountered in the first half of the year 2016 gradually receded into a slow momentum in the latter half of the year. This trend will have its impact on the current year 2017.

The sectors that were into focus in the construction industry are data center building, warehouse building as well as building the hotels. Though there is not enough data on how the impact of the construction industry has been on the data centers, it can well be said that the demand will still be high. What will experience a downfall or at least a slow growth is the hotel industry. But, in some cities of the country, the warehouses will still be in demand for construction.

The Scenario in 2017:

As per the reports of Dodge Data & Analytics, the current year 2017 is going to be very promising in the construction industry. In their report, they have stated that there will be an advancement of $713 billion in the construction industry profit margin, which is about 5% increase from that of the year 2015 and the year 2016. It is also expected that though a slow growth is to be followed in the current year, the growth will be steady and hence, the profits targets are likely to be achieved.

The Impact on the commoners:

Now with this promise, it must also be mentioned that the potential consumers, who are planning to purchase new constructions, apartments and buildings in the USA, will be largely benefited by the low interest rates and mortgage rates. Even there is going to be an increase in the units of single family housing in the USA, which is great news for the potential buyers.

Even the commercial building construction is also going to encounter an increase than the previous years. This will certainly have a great impact on the employment sector. Not only will the construction industry open up new opportunities for the employment, but the commercial buildings that are being made, will open more avenues of employment.

What will be in demand?

As the construction market in USA in the year 2017 is going to encounter an increase, there is a high demand for construction material, employees and workers as well as the heavy construction equipment. Hence, those, who are working in the construction equipment manufacturing companies, will indirectly be benefited greatly. Even the small scale dealers will also be benefited by supplying brand new as well as used heavy construction equipment. Workers, heavy construction equipment operators as well as other professionals will also be benefited with this increase.

If you are planning to have a career in this field, it is a great time to stat. Just choose the right field for you such as operating the heavy construction equipment, engineering or working as a labor in the construction job sites, the options are many.

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