The construction industry is dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging. You’ll need to stay on your game to succeed as a business owner. Construction contracting generally involves working with clients to complete construction projects and sometimes as a sub-contractor helping to fill a smaller niche within a larger job. As such, you may have limited control over Read more
Insurance
The construction industry is dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging. You’ll need to stay on your game to succeed as a business owner. Construction contracting generally involves working with clients to complete construction projects and sometimes as a sub-contractor helping to fill a smaller niche within a larger job.
As such, you may have limited control over the final scope of the project and how much money you stand to make. Without the right coverage in place, this could leave your business vulnerable. Contracting is a risky business, which is why contractors need protection.
1. Have the Right Insurance in Place
Contractors need to get the right insurance coverage in place before they start working on a project. Without insurance, your business will pay for damages and injuries during work. Make sure you have general liability insurance that covers your business’s operations.
If you are involved in building a new home, you’ll want construction insurance. Homeowners’ insurance will not cover any contractors working on your property. If you own heavy equipment, get the proper insurance for it.
You should also have workers’ compensation insurance and surety bond insurance. This coverage ensures ethical business practices and compliance with building codes. You’ll want to find an insurance company that specializes in contractor insurance.
2. Stay Current on Training and Education
You should seek out training and education opportunities that will help you to improve your business. Don’t just focus on traditional education, but also on staying up to date on the latest technology and best practices.
You can do this by joining industry trade associations. These associations will help you stay connected with other contractors and the latest information; you should also consider taking classes and attending workshops. There are many training and education opportunities available to help build your skills.
Check with your state’s licensing board to see if they offer any training programs. Training and education opportunities can help you improve your time management skills, paperwork processes, and client communication skills.
3. Run a Background Check on Potential Employees
Workers play a critical role in the success of your contracting business. You must maintain a safe work environment; it starts with hiring the best possible employees. You can screen potential employees by conducting a background check.
It will help you gauge an applicant’s character and potential risk to your business. It can also help you avoid hiring somebody who has questionable work history. Make sure to conduct thorough and accurate background checks.
Background check services are available to help you with this process. Also, talk to your insurance company about any coverage they offer for hiring employees. Some insurance companies will provide coverage against negligent hiring.
4. Maintain a Strong Payment System
Contractors rely on getting paid for their work. A strong payment system is essential to keeping cash flowing smoothly. You should have a payment system in place before you start working on a project. Some contractors prefer a payment system that is a percentage of the project’s cost.
Other contractors prefer a fixed-price system. Before you choose a payment method, you need to consider how much experience and expertise you have working on that particular type of project. You should work with your client to establish a payment plan.
You should also create a payment plan that is realistic for your business. Take into account how much work is left to be completed, any costs involved in the project, your employees’ time, and other expenses.
5. Utilize Technology to Stay Protected
Protecting your data, equipment and employees goes beyond a strong payment system. Contractors can use technology to stay protected. Make sure to have a data backup system that protects your information during a disaster.
Modern contracting involves technology, so make sure all your hardware and software are up to date. It includes computers, software, cell phones, and other devices used in your business.
It will help decrease frustration and provide a better experience for your clients. Also, using technology in construction has made it much easier for contractors to stay in contact with their clients.
Conclusion
Much has changed in the construction industry over the years. Technology, insurance, and training are just a few examples. Fortunately, all of these changes have the same underlying theme; better protection for all parties involved. As a contractor, it is important to stay protected and keep up-to-date on industry trends to ensure the longevity of your business.
Employers in all industries have been gaining understanding and perspective on workplace safety in recent times. It is too crucial to let go or undermine in times where employment law has been gaining popularity and wide ranging implementation. Workplace injuries cost your employees a lot more than their health – entire families that are dependent Read more
Employers in all industries have been gaining understanding and perspective on workplace safety in recent times. It is too crucial to let go or undermine in times where employment law has been gaining popularity and wide ranging implementation. Workplace injuries cost your employees a lot more than their health – entire families that are dependent on their earnings have their livelihoods compromised due to an accident that could have been avoided by taking simple measures by the administration.
Other than the implications for your employees and their families, not investing in workplace safety can cost them dearly in the long run which would include costs associated with compensating workers, paying huge premiums, dealing with legal cases, etc.
Employers can save themselves the trouble caused because of unsafe working conditions by simply taking measures as detailed below:
Have a safety program
Employers should have a safety program in place that regularly discusses the intricacies surrounding workplace safety with their employees. The responsibilities of the employers, what is required from the employees, the benefits and the consequences – all details should be discussed thoroughly in the said program.
Have performance measures
If your supervisors do not have a measure of employer safety precautions, they would not be able to fulfil any requirements. Hence, you should have a performance measure system to help your supervisors self-monitor their performance and ensure that all safe practices are being followed as and when required.
Get insurance
In order to truly protect yourself and your employees in case of workplace safety issues, you should get insurance for all your employees. That way, you would in turn be regulated to be in touch with the latest workplace safety requirements, while ensuring a cushion in case something unfortunate happens.
Set an example
As an employer, you need to set precedent and follow workplace safety requirements yourself before expecting your team to do so. Your team looks up to you and if you do not demonstrate taking workplace safety requirements seriously, neither would your team.
Have open communication channels
You should have open communication channels to address any concerns that your employee must have with you. This is because your employees must have previously worked with other organizations where safety protocols meant something else, and you wouldn’t want your employees to experience any contradiction or confusion regarding what’s expected of them.
Contrary to popular opinion, developing and implementing a workplace safety program is not mere theory. It is preceded by theory and research, but requires extensive ground work for its implementation. It is much more than writing and publishing a safety manual that no one will ever bother reading – it requires and entails actually caring for the people who work for you. The money that you invest in your employees never goes to waste. In fact, it returns in the form of their dedication and hard work for your company. The more you care for and provide for your employees, the more they are bound to respect you and perform for your success and progress.