Communication is essential in every industry and construction is no exception.
Not only does effective communication keep your clients satisfied but it also ensures that your employees stay safe. Construction is a high-risk field and even the smallest lapse in communication can lead to a serious injury.
Failure to properly communicate with your contractors can be particularly detrimental to your construction business. It can cause significant delays or errors in your projects and this can cost you both time and money.
Luckily, there are plenty of things that you can do to avoid miscommunication in your construction business.
Here are some simple steps to streamline communication with your contractors to improve your business efficiency.
Create a Central Hub for Communication
When every team member is working from the same central location, it’s much easier to keep everybody on the same page.
Workers can input updates on the project in real-time or report issues as soon as they arise. This can speed up the progress of your project and enables problems to be resolved promptly.
A great integrated communication software, such as the Procore platform brings all of your contractors together, regardless of location. If your contractors need to request changes to their schedule or deadline extensions, they can do so immediately through the platform.
Be Concise and Avoid Jargon
When you’re communicating with contractors in construction, you need to be as clear and concise as possible. The information you convey should be understandable and accurate so that there is no risk of miscommunication or error.
Avoid using lots of jargon or vague sentences. You want to be efficient and to the point, while also offering enough information for your contractors to complete the project to a high standard.
This all applies to both verbal and written communication. Convey the critical information and avoid any unnecessary ‘fluff’.
Be an Active Listener
Communication is a two-way street. You expect your contractors to listen to you and they expect the same in return. Practice being an active listener. Don’t just hear what your contractors are saying. Take action on their words.
Being an active listener might mean nodding to acknowledge their words or repeating certain phrases to show that you’ve understood what they’re saying.
You could even make notes if you think you’ll need any further clarification. If your contractors are making specific requests, aim to fulfill their requests as soon as possible to show that you’ve heard them.
Being an active listener also involves providing feedback on what you have heard. If your contractors are reiterating the same issues over and over again, take their concerns on board. Do everything you can to adjust and adapt the project details to meet their needs.
Encourage an Open Line of Communication
It’s important that you establish an open line of communication across your whole team. Construction requires teamwork and collaborative efforts, and this is almost impossible if you are unable to communicate effectively.
Keep your contractors informed on any project updates and make sure your employees feel comfortable raising their concerns or issues.
Encouraging open communication ensures that all of your contractors are satisfied and confident with the project.
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