Amanda Wilks 3m 803 #diyconstruction
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
DIY Construction Lessons
Image source: Pexels
The construction industry is sometimes steeped in tradition and regulations. Because of this reticence both the digital and the creative are crashed under the weight of rules.
Do It Yourself-ers or DIYers, on the other hand think and create outside the box, use less equipment and often less time. With these facts in mind, there are four lessons DIYers teach the construction industry.
1. DIYers Are Productive AF
The construction industry faces a challenge of productivity and profitability. One of the areas where the industry has most lagged is in staff productivity. Research shows that the industry has remained stagnant in staff productivity for the past 50 years.
This is opposed to other heavy industries where staff productivity has increased by at least 100%.
The low productivity in the industry can be attributed to the increase in time spent waiting for materials to be delivered. According to Construction Owners Association of America, (COAA) the percentage of time spent waiting stands at a substantial 63%.
Another major drawback is the fact that few staff multi task. A mason usually just lays brinks and doesn’t plasters or raises roofs. The need to hire new workers at every stage means increase in expenses and time.
DIYers either create their materials or recycle. They just put on a pair of steel toe boots and don’t just rush mindlessly to the work site. They ensure time is not wasted.
DIYers also make sure they become skilled in multiple areas. With so many available sources to self-educate, DIYers use every opportunity to expand their knowledge, waste less, recycle more and your favorite, spend less!
2. The Designer Is the Builder
The industry is presenting many more opportunities than before. This should be good news for the industry but the complexity of projects is making it more and more difficult for projects to be completed on time and on budget.
Construction companies therefore are not able to make profits as they should. One of the reasons why this challenge exists is because there is a disconnection between the designers and builders.
One of the major advantages DIYers have is that the designer is also the builder.
This means that they are in charge throughout the entire process. Difficulties in actualizing design are detected on time and the necessary adjustments are made. It’s difficult for the builder to also be the designer in large scale products. The two parts of the project, however can meet at the design stage.
Such a meeting would ensure the builder’s input is considered. If this kind of integration was employed, the chances of complex projects being completed on time and on budget would increase immensely.
This would also increase profitability and general customer satisfaction.
3. Let it Rain Digital
Baby boomers have been the main players in the construction industry for many years, but are now retired and no major effort has been put in place to replace them.
The construction industry is usually seen as too low tech for millennials and the latest generation, Gen Y, who are rapidly becoming the largest demographic in the labor market.
To solve this problem the industry would be well advised to employ new ethical technology. This will be one way of attracting the tech savvy millennials to become skilled laborers.
The use of modern technology such as the cloud would also make it possible for new skilled laborers to multi-task.
With the proper equipment, a person who has even basic construction knowledge can produce excellent results.
Another reason why the industry requires different laborers even for tasks that are seemingly similar is because the equipment is heavy. Exoskeletons are the future and the industry should hurry to integrate this new and priceless technology.
DIYers have learned to embrace the use of technology as a way of making themselves capable of doing virtually everything single handedly. Through the allure of technology, many DIYers are themselves millennials.
4. Think Sustainability!
One of the main problems facing the industry today is the question of sustainability.
Failure to look for alternatives to non-renewable and overexploited elements and supplies is another crucial drawback.
Construction is one of the greatest consumers of raw materials in the world. It also creates considerable amounts of emissions. The industry tends to use the same materials that have been used for ages.
DIYers, further, tend to be more experimental in their use of construction materials.
They use locally available “ingredients” and equipment, don’t focus as much on traditional construction materials and try to naturally integrate their work in the environment.
The construction industry is one of the greatest drivers of any economy. If you take a stand and think about what you could scale, transform, recycle, integrate, develop, you’d certainly outgrow your competitors and become a trendsetter.
DIYers should be your inspiration!
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