Best Construction Practices That Contractors MUST Know

The construction industry relies on a mixture of innovation, expertise, and following the best construction practices for contractors to ensure that the changes are well implemented and efficient.

Mastering construction best practices ensures smooth project execution and sets you up for long-term success.

These practices not only ensure success but they also ensure that high standards are maintained, risks are managed, and quality is delivered every time.

Let’s dive in and explore some of the best construction practices and techniques that contractors and subcontractors should use to achieve project success.

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10 Best Practices for Contractors and Subcontractors

Information on practices that contractors and subcontractors can use to better equip themselves for their projects can greatly benefit them.

Here are a few best practices contractors and subcontractors can follow to achieve project efficiency and productivity.

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1. Create a Detailed Construction Plan and Roadmap

Start with a comprehensive plan. A good construction roadmap features the goals the project needs to achieve and the timelines for every phase of the project. 

The detailed construction plan should include site layout, material requirements, equipment utilization, and labor allocation. 

Knowing what the project scope is and what you have to work with allows everyone involved, contractors and subcontractors alike, to get up and running smoothly. 

An effective construction roadmap should: 

• Identify key project milestones. 
• Assign responsibilities to both general contractors and subcontractors. 
• Develop risk assessments and contingency plans. 

Having these plans documented in detail, with a best practices construction documents checklist, ensures that all team members are aligned.

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2. Effective Communication & Collaboration

Construct projects need success, and effective communication is necessary to achieve them. Construction industry best practices are key for contractors and subcontractors to create seamless communication with their teams.

Miscommunication is the main cause of delays, costly mistakes, and, in some cases, safety hazards on the job site. 

To foster collaboration: 

• Use construction management and maintenance software to get real-time updates.
• Track the progress of meetings on a regular basis. 
• Make sure both contractors and their subcontractors have a say in the project discussions. 

Collaborative tools like best practice construction guides and modern communication platforms can enhance team productivity while reducing misunderstandings.

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3. Prioritizing Jobsite Safety

On any construction site, safety is always a top priority. Following construction site best management practices ensures that workers remain safe and reduces the risk of accidents.

Safety measures for others include personal protective equipment (PPE), safety training, and site inspections. 

General contractors implement safety standards to follow regulatory standards. Safety within a team is the responsibility of all subcontractors. 

Key practices include: 

• Regular safety drills. 
• Enforcing the use of PPE. 
• Watching for hazards at job sites. 

If construction safety practices are followed properly, they can prevent costly project interruptions and save workers from incidents.

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4. Detect and Prevent Discrimination

The construction industry is diverse, and a key element of best construction practices and techniques is ensuring that every worker feels safe, respected, and free from discrimination.

Subcontractors should drive values of equal opportunities among their teams, and general contractors should set up policies that support this principle.

Key steps include: 

• Enforcing anti-discrimination policies. 
• Regular sensitivity training. 
• Setting up simple reporting channels for discrimination. 

Some situations you should avoid include:

• Unfairly kept qualified minorities
• Failing to prevent sexual harrasment
• Failing to prevent racial to ethical harassment
• Terminating employees for complaining about a hostile work environment
• Terminating employees to prevent them from being interviewed for OFCCP review
• Denying women the same work hours as male counterparts
• Failing to provide hygiene facilities
• Assigning black employees to less desirable jobs
• Excluding black employees from promotions
• Laying off black employees after short periods, while retaining white employees for longer periods.

A discrimination-free workplace creates a more productive workplace and increases the morale of workers.

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5. Quality Control and Standards

Your project should include non-negotiable standards that ensure high quality work. General contractors should establish stringent quality control guidelines that align with best practices in construction project management. 

Subcontractors should also follow suit, guaranteeing that their work adheres to and exceeds these standards. 

Ways to maintain high-quality standards include: 

• Regular site inspections. 
• Using high-grade materials. 
• Implementing construction best practice guides for work processes. 

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6. Recruit a Diverse Workforce

Diversity in a construction team provides a range of viewpoints and experience, and can bring innovation and efficiency. 

A hiring process that focuses on attracting a diverse talent pool must be implemented to ensure that contractors meet regulatory compliance and that no one is discriminated against. 

Hiring a new skilled worker of a different background assists both contractors and subcontractors with creativity and problem-solving. 

A diverse workforce also: 

• Promotes inclusivity. 
• Increases collaboration. 
• It helps better adapt to project needs. 

Diversity isn’t just a social responsibility; it is also a smart business strategy for a business’s long-term success. 

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7. Schedule Tasks in Advance

Preventing your project from being delayed is very important when it comes to the execution of the tasks. 

Task scheduling should be the priority for both general contractors and the subcontractors; activities should be planned in advance. 

This approach, often found in construction best management practices plans, helps avoid bottlenecks and efficiently manage labor and materials. 

Consider these task-scheduling strategies: 

• Get real time updates with equipment management software. 
• Make each of these break tasks into small chunks. 
• Set realistic timelines.

Scheduling allows subcontractors to know what’s coming and can work efficiently and with the general contractors.

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8. Cost Management and Budgeting

Proper cost management can help the contractors and subcontractors stay within the budget. 

Using the best construction practices for contractors, like regular financial audits, ensures that every dollar spent is accounted for. 

Key cost management strategies include: 

• A detailed budgeting in the planning stage. 
• Financial audits with proper reporting and analytics on a regular basis. 
• Finding out where one could save without compromising quality. 

If subcontractors aren’t vigilant about their spending, they risk causing the whole project to fail.

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9. Use KPIs to Measure Performance

Best practices in construction project management include the use of KPIs to measure success. 

By monitoring these indicators, contractors and subcontractors can see where to improve and where to celebrate. 

Consider tracking the following KPIs:

• Project timelines. 
• Labor productivity. 
• Safety compliance. 

KPIs help keep projects on track and also increase the level of continuous performance improvement.

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10. Use of Technology and Modern Tools

We know that the construction industry is not resistant to new technology. Modern construction uses new technology in building information modeling, drones, telematics, GPS tracking, and sensors to make operations more efficient. 

Keeping contractors and subcontractors informed about the latest tools to help them improve efficiency and quality. 

For example: 

• Site Inspections can be done with the use of drones. 
• Use BIM to visualize projects for real-time visuals. 
• Construction equipment management software helps cut down on the need to invest in inefficiencies. 

Using advanced tools and technology results in more productivity and improved final output of the project.

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Conclusion

Adopting best construction practices is crucial for ensuring successful project outcomes for general contractors and subcontractors.

These practices help the project stay on budget and maintain a safe work environment. 

These practices help the project move faster and ensure better task scheduling, safety protocols, and technological adoption within construction projects. 

Following these construction best practices is essential for thriving in the ever-evolving construction industry.

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FAQs

What are the three different types of subcontractors?

Subcontractors generally fall into three categories: specialized trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers), suppliers, and labor contractors. Each type brings a unique set of skills and resources to a project.

What is a subcontracting strategy?

A subcontracting strategy outlines how general contractors allocate parts of a project to specialized subcontractors. It helps optimize resources and ensure the right experts handle specific tasks.

What is the difference between a punch list and a snag list?

Both terms are often used interchangeably, but a punch list typically refers to a list of incomplete or unsatisfactory work noted at the end of a project, while a snag list is more commonly used in the UK for minor issues that need to be fixed before project handover.

What are the subcategories of contractors?

Contractors are generally categorized into general contractors, specialty contractors, and subcontractors, who the general contractor hires to perform specific tasks.