Top 6 Challenges for Concrete Subcontractors

This year should be a good year for the construction industry. The entire construction industry will benefit from all the infrastructure spending planned for the next couple of years. That being said, concrete subcontractors still have these six challenges to face moving forward.

Lack of Capital

Construction billing and building cycles can be slow. Often time’s concrete subcontractors need to have the money for a project at the beginning of a project. Firms that don’t have the capital end up taking on a lot more risk on projects, since they’re entirely dependent upon the completion of a project and payment. While not every firm might have enough capital, there are ways for concrete subcontractors to ensure they have the funds on-hand for a project. Loans and lines of credit can give concrete subcontractors the necessary funds up front. This can help concrete subcontractors both win bids and protect their business.

Cash Flow

Not every contract will have the same payment schedule, which can impact a concrete subcontractor’s cash flow. Cash flow is necessary for any business; however, it isn’t always certain in construction. Projects and owners can fail, general contractors might not pay which impacts a concrete subcontractor’s bottom line. While it might be hard to take on perfect paying clients every project, project management, and document control software can help concrete subs get paid. When subs have all of their paperwork in line, it makes any and all claims easier to file. Proper document control and mechanic’s liens make it easier for subcontractors to be paid on time every time.

Inadequate Planning

Another common issue that concrete subcontractors face is inadequate planning. Planning solves many problems before they arise. While it’s hard to plan for everything, many issues are foreseeable. When bidding on projects it’s important to have an accurate understanding of what your workforce and equipment will look like. This is an easy step to understanding exactly how much work a concrete subcontractor can take on without being stretched thin. If you know you won’t have enough workers for a series of projects down the road, then you should consider starting the hiring process. Taking the time to look at all foreseeable outcomes and plan for them can save concrete subcontractors time and money down the road.

Uncontrolled growth

Growth isn’t a bad thing; however, unplanned or uncontrolled growth can be detrimental to a concrete subcontractor’s business. Knowing your business’s limits is a good way to start planning for growth. By listening to your current and previous customers to gauge customer complaints, you can get a good idea of how your business is doing. A lot of businesses will see an increase in customer complaints when there is too much growth because the level of attention decreases. Uncontrolled growth usually leads to a decrease in quality which causes long-term issues for concrete subcontractors.

Repairs and Maintenance Fees

Maintenance and repair fees are a big issue for concrete subcontractors. Concrete can crack, scale, and spall from exposure over time. While all buildings have repairs and maintenance fees, bridges are the most likely to suffer from cracking. The effects of damage mean that concrete subcontractors have to come back for repairs and regular monitoring. Projects and researchers are looking for alternatives to concrete in more projects in order to decrease the repair and maintenance fees. However, Materials for Life and other research teams are developing self-healing cement-like materials. This would decrease repair and maintenance fees, and make concrete construction a larger field.

Green Construction

The concrete powder is itself a green construction material. However, it isn’t biodegradable and uses lots of water. One of the major concerns with concrete construction is the amount of water it uses and wastes. Because the excess water runs off and can enter the local environment. However, researchers are working on creating cement substitutes that reduce the amount of cement and recycle other materials. These new materials will make concrete construction greener which can beneficially impact the concrete industry. By incorporating concrete engineering principles and green concrete materials, concrete subcontractors can experience a growth in business.

How eSUB Can Help

eSUB is a cloud-based project management platform built especially for subcontractors. eSUB organizes all of your project information in one place, allows for smooth collaboration, and streamlines communication through its intuitive interface. It also works on your mobile, so you can track projects on the go—no matter where or when—and stay up-to-date.

FAQs for Concrete Subcontractors: Overcoming Challenges

How can concrete subcontractors address the challenge of lacking sufficient capital for projects?

Concrete subcontractors can explore options such as loans and lines of credit to secure the necessary funds upfront, which can help them win bids and mitigate project-related risks.

Why is cash flow important for concrete subcontractors, and how can they maintain it?

Cash flow is crucial for business operations. Project management and document control software can assist concrete subcontractors in maintaining steady cash flow by ensuring proper paperwork, making claims easier to file, and ensuring timely payments.

How can concrete subcontractors prevent issues caused by inadequate planning?

Concrete subcontractors should engage in thorough project planning to identify potential challenges and plan for them. This includes assessing workforce and equipment needs to avoid overcommitting and stretching resources thin.

What can happen if a concrete subcontractor experiences uncontrolled growth?

Uncontrolled growth can lead to decreased attention to customer needs and a decline in service quality. Monitoring customer feedback and setting limits on growth can help avoid such issues.

How can concrete subcontractors manage the maintenance and repair costs associated with concrete projects?

Concrete subcontractors can explore innovative solutions such as self-healing cement-like materials to reduce repair and maintenance expenses over time.

What steps can concrete subcontractors take to make their construction practices more environmentally friendly?

Embracing green concrete materials and sustainable construction practices can help concrete subcontractors contribute to greener construction projects and attract environmentally conscious clients.

In what ways can eSUB assist concrete subcontractors in overcoming these challenges?

A: eSUB offers a cloud-based project management platform that centralizes project information, facilitates collaboration, streamlines communication, and ensures easy mobile access, helping concrete subcontractors manage their projects more efficiently and effectively.