
When you’re headed out to a job site, managing materials is critical. You want all of your materials to show up at the right time, in the right amounts. You need to inventory them. Sometimes, it may feel as though material management is half of your job! These tips will make managing materials on the job site easier.
Conduct a regular inventory.
Choose the system that works best for you, whether you’re using a mobile app, RFID tags, or bar codes. Keeping track of your inventory on the job site accomplishes many critical things. First, it makes it less likely that materials will go missing–and if they do, you’ll have a better idea of when they disappeared. Second, you’ll be more likely to see exactly what materials were used during each job, making it possible for you to refine your estimates for future projects.
Create a solid schedule.
Whether you’re working with a general contractor or a building owner, it’s important to know the full construction schedule and how you fit into it. Then, you need to create a schedule for your work. You don’t need to leave materials sitting around the job site well before they’ll be needed, especially if you’re working in a high crime area or the site has been targeted for vandalism. On the other hand, failing to have materials delivered at the appropriate time can put you well behind schedule. Check your schedule at the beginning of each week, making sure to account for any delays or for the fact that you’re ahead of schedule to determine what materials and tools need to be on the job site.
Don’t forget your tool inventory!
Because you use them every day, you may not think about how expensive your tools are–and you might miss how vulnerable they are! Tools are expensive, portable, and relatively easy to sell, especially if they aren’t labeled for your business. However, conducting inventory at the beginning and end of every job will let you know immediately if tools go missing. This approach can help prevent thefts and make it less likely that you’ll accidentally leave a tool behind at the job site.