4 Construction Scheduling Techniques

 Share
 Flip
 Pin
 Email

Getty Images
Construction
 Management
o Bidding & Procurement
o Cost Control
o Insurance
o Claims Management
o Risk Management
 Tips for Contractors
 Projects
 Design
 Remodeling
 Materials
 Gov't Requirements
 History
 Tech Trends
 Tools and Resources
VIEW ALL
By Juan Rodriguez
Updated November 19, 2017

How are you keeping your project on schedule? Builders and contractors have many options
including some simple construction scheduling techniques that will help represent and
create construction schedules techniques. Which one is the best for you? We will explain briefly
four alternatives that you can use depending on the project requirements and difficulties.

Construction Scheduling Using Bar Charts

Bar Charts are the most simple and easiest way to generate construction schedules.

It is widely used due to its simplicity and multiple adaptations to numerous events. A bar chart is
formed with a list of activities, specifying the start date, duration of the activity and completion
date of each activity, and then plotted on a project timescale. The detailed level of the bar chart
depends on your project complexity and the intended use of the schedule.

A variation of the bar chart schedule is the linked bar chart. A linked bar chart uses arrow and
lines to tie the activities and subsequent items, specifying the successors and predecessors of
every activity. The previous activities are linked one to another to demonstrate that one activity
must be completed before the other activity can start.

Bar charts are useful and used to detect the amount of resources needed for one particular
project. Resource aggregation is done by adding resources vertically in the schedule. The
purpose of this aggregation is to estimate the work production and establishing estimates for
man-hour and equipment needed.

Construction Scheduling: Critical Path Method

This process is more complex and detailed than the previous one. With a large list of activities,
each activity is then linked to previous and subsequent activities, specifying that each activity
has at least another one that must be completed prior to starting the preceding one.

The Critical Path Method establishes and assigns start and end dates based on certain logic like
FS, FF, SS, SF that are key indicators of how activities must be sequenced. These constraints
determine the first date that an activity can start; late start, specifying the last possible date that
this activity must be started to avoid delays in the overall construction process; early finish, the
earlier date that the proposed activity will be completed; and the late finish, that is the last date
the activity must be completed without affecting the start of the next one, and subsequently
affecting the entire construction scheduling resources. The steps in producing a network are:

 Listing of Activities
 Producing a network showing the logical relationship between activities
 Assessing the duration of each activity, producing a schedule, and determining the start
and finish times of each activity and the available float
 Assessing the required resources

Line of Balance Scheduling Technique

This construction scheduling process is a planning technique for repetitive work. The essential
procedure for this scheduling technique is to allocate the resources needed for each step or
operation, so the following activities are not delayed, and the result can be obtained.

The principles employed are taken from the planning and control of manufacturing processes; a
process usually applied in the construction work and more specific in road construction. It is very
powerful and easy to use process when the conditions are ideal for this type of work.

Construction Schedule: Q Scheduling

Q Scheduling is quantitative scheduling, in the context that quantities to be executed at different

locations of the construction project form the elements of the schedule. Also, Q Scheduling is
Queue Scheduling in the context that trades pass through the different segments of the project in
a queue sequence. No interference between two activities is allowed at the same location. It is
derived basically from the Line of balance technique with some modifications to allow for the
nonrepetitive models that are characteristic of the majority of construction projects.

The Q Scheduling is a new technique, though getting rapid popularity among contracting firms.
It is the only scheduling technique that reveals a relation between the sequence of doing a job
and the cost to be incurred. The Q schedule is similar to the Line of Balance with some
modifications, to allow for a varying volume of repetitive activities at different segments or
locations of the construction project. Thus the model produced is closer to reality.
A Sample Residential Construction Schedule - (for a 6,000 square foot
custom home)

Is the Microsoft Project template file used to create this new house
construction schedule for sale?

Yes, a number of professional custom homebuilders and residential project managers have
asked to buy the Microsoft Project file that was used to create the new house construction
schedule shown on this page. In response to these requests, we are providing sample
construction scheduling files for you to review so that you can determine if your residential
construction company might benefit from using a scheduling program to help manage your
home building business.

[ download sample files ]

How long does it take to build a house? Scroll down this page to see an example of a
typical construction schedule for a large custom home. It was produced using Microsoft
Project® scheduling software and includes most, but not all, of the activities involved in the
process of building a new house in Maryland. Sample construction draws have been
included for reference purposes, although individual lenders & mortgage companies will
most likely have their own draw schedules.

Notice that because construction draws from the lender typically follow the completion of
various phases, or milestones, the cash flow on a project can be very irregular. While the
money flowing out of a construction company; for employee salaries, benefits, office space,
vehicles, insurance, equipment and other company expenses, typically occurs on a regular
calendar based timeline, the money used to pay these expenses follows an event driven
schedule. Therefore, besides the "normal" unplanned events that can affect the progress of
a home building project, it is not uncommon for home builders to rearrange construction
schedules in order to gain access to draw money so that they are able to pay
subcontractors and suppliers in a timely manner. By the way, this is generally a good thing
(provided you have an honest builder) because subcontractors tend to follow the money
and happy subs are almost always preferable to unhappy ones:-)

Will your house take this long to build?

Probably not; most home building projects will take less time, but some will take even more.
For example, the timeline for a smaller house, with few options and less detailed finishes,
which has been built many times before by professional builders, might be as short as 8 to
12 weeks. However, 6 to 9 months from start to finish is probably a more realistic average
(average is not a good word for a typical homeowner). While a larger house, with more
options, custom features, fancier finishes, and more owner involvement - especially if the
owner has little construction experience - may very well take 1 1/2 to 2 years to complete.
Then again, if you build your own house, and make the common mistake of moving in
before every last detail is finished, well, you might be looking at decades instead of months
or years — I speak from experience, but it's just a little trim in the powder room, and a short
piece of baseboard behind the master bath door, and a small piece of molding in the
hallway linen closet, and....

The actual schedule of completion for your specific project will vary based upon many
factors including, but not limited to, size and degree of difficulty of the structure, site and
weather conditions, material and contractor availability, crew sizes, effective scheduling and
communication, the knowledge and experience of those managing the project, and perhaps
most significantly, the number, timeliness, and complexity of the changes you will inevitably
make to the original contract after construction has already begun.

Good luck with your project, thank you for visiting B4UBUILD.COM, and have fun building!

Outline
ID Name Duration Predecessors Start Finish
Number

Thu Thu
1 1 Contracts 0.00d .
6/5/14 6/5/14

- Supply Lot Sale Thu Thu

2 1.1 0.00d .
Agreement 6/5/14 6/5/14

- Supply Construction Thu Thu

3 1.2 0.00d .
Agreement 6/5/14 6/5/14

- Supply Contract Thu Thu

4 1.3 0.00d 3
Plans 6/5/14 6/5/14

- Supply Contract Thu Thu

5 1.4 0.00d 3
Specifications 6/5/14 6/5/14

- Supply Contract Site Thu Thu

6 1.5 0.00d 3
Plan 6/5/14 6/5/14

Thu Thu
7 1.6 - Secure Financing 0.00d .
6/5/14 6/5/14

- Construction Loan Thu Thu

8 1.7 0.00d .
Settlement 6/5/14 6/5/14
Document Review & Thu Wed
9 2 25.00d .
Revision 6/5/14 7/9/14

- Review & Finalize Thu Wed

10 2.1 15.00d 4
Plans 6/5/14 6/25/14

- Review & Finalize Thu Wed

11 2.2 20.00d 5
Specifications 6/5/14 7/2/14

- Review & Finalize Thu Thu

12 2.3 1.00d 6,10
Site Plan 6/26/14 6/26/14

- Print Construction Thu Wed

13 2.4 5.00d 10,11,12
Drawings 7/3/14 7/9/14

- Approve Revised Wed Wed

14 2.5 0.00d 13
Plans 7/9/14 7/9/14

- Approve Revised Wed Wed

15 2.6 0.00d 13
Specifications 7/9/14 7/9/14

- Approve Revised Site Wed Wed

16 2.7 0.00d 13
Plan 7/9/14 7/9/14

Thu Tue
17 3 Bids & Contracts 24.00d .
7/10/14 8/12/14

Thu Mon
18 3.1 - Make Copies of Plans 3.00d 14
7/10/14 7/14/14

- Make Copies of Thu Fri

19 3.2 2.00d 15
Specifications 7/10/14 7/11/14

- Distribute Plans & Tue Tue

20 3.3 1.00d 18,19
Specifications 7/15/14 7/15/14

Wed Tue
21 3.4 - Receive Bids 10.00d 20
7/16/14 7/29/14

Wed
22 3.5 Review Bids 5.00d . Tue 8/5/14
7/30/14
- Execute
Wed Tue
25 3.6 Subcontractor 5.00d 23
8/6/14 8/12/14
Agreements

Grading & Building Thu

26 4 17.00d . Fri 8/1/14
Permits 7/10/14

- Schedule lot stake- Thu Thu

27 4.1 1.00d 13
out 7/10/14 7/10/14

Wed Wed
28 4.2 - Stake lot 1.00d 27FS+3d
7/16/14 7/16/14

- File Grading Permit Thu Thu

29 4.3 1.00d 16
Application 7/10/14 7/10/14

- File Building Permit Thu Mon

30 4.4 3.00d 14,15,16
Application 7/10/14 7/14/14

- Post Lot Thu Thu

31 4.5 1.00d 28,29,30
Identification 7/17/14 7/17/14

- Meet Sed. Control Fri Fri

32 4.6 1.00d 29FS+2d,28,31
Insp. 7/18/14 7/18/14

Mon Mon
33 4.7 - Walk Lot w/ Owner 1.00d 32
7/21/14 7/21/14

- Install Construction Tue Tue

34 4.8 1.00d 32,33
Entrance 7/22/14 7/22/14

- Install Sediment Tue Wed

35 4.9 2.00d 32,33
Controls 7/22/14 7/23/14

- Sediment Control Thu Thu

36 4.10 1.00d 34,35
Insp. 7/24/14 7/24/14

- Grading Permit Fri Fri

37 4.11 1.00d 36
Issued 7/25/14 7/25/14

38 4.12 - County Permit 10.00d 30 Tue Mon

Process 7/15/14 7/28/14

- Building Permit Tue Tue

39 4.13 1.00d 38,37
Approved 7/29/14 7/29/14

- Pay Permit Fees and

40 4.14 1.00d 39FS+2d Fri 8/1/14 Fri 8/1/14
Excise Taxes

- Building Permit
41 4.15 0.00d 40 Fri 8/1/14 Fri 8/1/14
Issued

Mon
42 5 Site Work 7.00d . Tue 8/5/14
7/28/14

Mon Wed
43 5.1 - Clear Lot 3.00d 37
7/28/14 7/30/14

- Strip Topsoil & Thu Thu

44 5.2 1.00d 43
Stockpile 7/31/14 7/31/14

- Stake Lot for Thu Thu

45 5.3 1.00d 43
Excavation 7/31/14 7/31/14

46 5.4 - Rough grade lot 1.00d 43,45 Fri 8/1/14 Fri 8/1/14

- Excavate for Mon

47 5.5 2.00d 39,45,43,46 Tue 8/5/14
foundation 8/4/14

Wed Mon
48 6 Foundation 24.00d .
8/6/14 9/8/14

Wed Wed
49 6.1 - Layout footings 1.00d 47
8/6/14 8/6/14

- Dig Footings & Install Thu Thu

50 6.2 1.00d 49
Reinforcing 8/7/14 8/7/14

Thu Thu
51 6.3 - Footing Inspection 0.00d 50
8/7/14 8/7/14

52 6.4 - Pour footings 1.00d 51 Fri 8/8/14 Fri 8/8/14

Mon Mon
53 6.5 - Pin Footings 1.00d 52
8/11/14 8/11/14

- Stock Block, Mortar, Tue Tue

54 6.6 1.00d 53
Sand 8/12/14 8/12/14

- Build Block Wed

55 6.7 15.00d 53,54 Tue 9/2/14
Foundation 8/13/14

- Foundation
56 6.8 0.00d 55 Tue 9/2/14 Tue 9/2/14
Certification

- Draw #1 (Location
57 6.9 0.00d 56 Tue 9/2/14 Tue 9/2/14
Survey)

- Fill Block Cores w/ Wed Wed

58 6.10 1.00d 55
Concrete 9/3/14 9/3/14

Thu Thu
59 6.11 - Steel Delivery 1.00d 58
9/4/14 9/4/14

- Set Lintels, Bolts, Cap Mon

60 6.12 2.00d 59 Fri 9/5/14
Block 9/8/14

Thu Thu
61 6.13 - Lumber Delivery 1.00d 58
9/4/14 9/4/14

- Waterproofing and
62 6.14 1.00d 61 Fri 9/5/14 Fri 9/5/14
Drain Tile

Fri
63 7 Rough Carpentry 44.00d . Tue 9/9/14
11/7/14

64 7.1 - Set Steel 1.00d 60 Tue 9/9/14 Tue 9/9/14

- 1st Floor Deck Wed Mon

65 7.2 4.00d 64
Framing 9/10/14 9/15/14

- 1st Floor Wall Tue Fri

66 7.3 4.00d 65
Framing 9/16/14 9/19/14
- Draw #2 (First Floor Fri Fri
67 7.4 0.00d 66
Deck) 9/19/14 9/19/14

- 2nd Floor Deck Mon Tue

68 7.5 2.00d 67
Framing 9/22/14 9/23/14

- Draw #3 (Second Tue Tue

69 7.6 0.00d 68
Floor Deck) 9/23/14 9/23/14

- 2nd Floor Wall Wed Fri

70 7.7 3.00d 69
Framing 9/24/14 9/26/14

Mon Tue
71 7.8 - Set Roof Trusses 2.00d 70
9/29/14 9/30/14

Wed Thu
72 7.9 - Frame Roof 7.00d 71
10/1/14 10/9/14

Fri Thu
73 7.10 - Install Roof Plywood 5.00d 72
10/10/14 10/16/14

- Install Windows & Wed Thu

74 7.11 2.00d 73,111
Doors 10/22/14 10/23/14

Fri Tue
75 7.12 - Frame Basement 3.00d 72,81
10/10/14 10/14/14

- Frame Basement Thu Fri

76 7.13 2.00d 75,87,93
Bulkheads 11/6/14 11/7/14

Thu Mon
77 8 Concrete Slabs 8.00d .
9/18/14 9/29/14

- Basement Slab Thu Fri

78 8.1 2.00d 65,91
Preparation 9/18/14 9/19/14

- Termite Treatment Mon Mon

79 8.2 1.00d 78
Basment Slab 9/22/14 9/22/14

Tue Tue
80 8.3 - Slab Inspection 1.00d 79
9/23/14 9/23/14
Wed Wed
81 8.4 - Pour Basement Slab 1.00d 80
9/24/14 9/24/14

Thu Thu
82 8.5 - Prep Garage Slab 1.00d 81
9/25/14 9/25/14

- Termite Treatment Fri Fri

83 8.6 1.00d 82
Garage Slab 9/26/14 9/26/14

Mon Mon
84 8.7 - Pour Garage Slab 1.00d 83
9/29/14 9/29/14

Fri Mon
85 9 H.V.A.C. 17.00d .
10/10/14 11/3/14

- HVAC Layout & Fri Fri

86 9.1 1.00d 72
Measure 10/10/14 10/10/14

Wed Tue
87 9.2 - HVAC Rough-in 5.00d 86,111
10/22/14 10/28/14

- HVAC Set Indoor Wed Thu

88 9.3 2.00d 81,87
Units 10/29/14 10/30/14

- HVAC Temporary Fri Mon

89 9.4 2.00d 88
Heat 10/31/14 11/3/14

Tue Wed
90 10 Plumbing Rough-in 37.00d .
9/16/14 11/5/14

Tue Wed
91 10.1 - Plumbing Sub-slab 2.00d 65
9/16/14 9/17/14

Wed Wed
92 10.2 - Plumbing Layout 1.00d 91,87
10/29/14 10/29/14

Thu Wed
93 10.3 - Plumbing rough-in 5.00d 92
10/30/14 11/5/14

County Plumbing Sub- Wed Wed

94 11 0.00d 91
slab Inspection 9/17/14 9/17/14
County Plumbing Wed Wed
95 12 0.00d 93
Rough-in Inspection 11/5/14 11/5/14

Fri Wed
96 13 Electric Rough-in 19.00d .
10/24/14 11/19/14

Fri Mon
97 13.1 - Set Electric Boxes 2.00d 74
10/24/14 10/27/14

- Install Electric Tue Wed

98 13.2 2.00d 97
Service Panel 10/28/14 10/29/14

- Electrical Walk- Thu Thu

99 13.3 1.00d 98
through 10/30/14 10/30/14

Fri Wed
100 13.4 - Electrical Rough-wire 14.00d 99
10/31/14 11/19/14

Thu Wed
101 14 Specialty Rough-ins 5.00d .
11/20/14 11/26/14

- Central Vacuum Thu Wed

102 14.1 5.00d 100
Rough-in 11/20/14 11/26/14

- Alarm System Rough- Thu Wed

103 14.2 5.00d 100
in 11/20/14 11/26/14

- Telephone System Thu Wed

104 14.3 5.00d 100
Rough-in 11/20/14 11/26/14

- Television System Thu Wed

105 14.4 5.00d 100
Rough-in 11/20/14 11/26/14

- Audio Visual Rough- Thu Wed

106 14.5 5.00d 100
in 11/20/14 11/26/14

County Electrical Wed Wed

107 15 0.00d 96,101
inspection 11/26/14 11/26/14

Draw #5 (Rough-ins Wed Wed

108 16 0.00d 95,107
complete) 11/26/14 11/26/14
County Framing Thu Thu
109 17 0.00d 95FS+1d,107FS+1d
Inspection 11/27/14 11/27/14

Fri Tue
110 18 Roofing 68.00d .
10/17/14 1/20/15

- Roofing Paper Fri Tue

111 18.1 3.00d 73
Installed 10/17/14 10/21/14

- Draw #4 (Roof, Thu Thu

112 18.2 0.00d 74,111
windows, doors) 10/23/14 10/23/14

Fri Fri
113 18.3 - Stock Roof Shingles 1.00d 112
10/24/14 10/24/14

Mon Tue
114 18.4 - Install Roof Shingles 7.00d 113,119
1/12/15 1/20/15

Fri
115 19 Exterior Finishes 56.00d . Fri 1/9/15
10/24/14

Fri Tue
116 19.1 - Siding 3.00d 74
10/24/14 10/28/14

Wed Thu
117 19.2 - Exterior Trim 7.00d 116
10/29/14 11/6/14

Fri Fri
118 19.3 - Brick Arch Forms 1.00d 117
11/7/14 11/7/14

Mon
119 19.4 - Brick Veneer 45.00d 118 Fri 1/9/15
11/10/14

Fri Thu
120 20 Insulation 5.00d .
11/28/14 12/4/14

Fri Fri
121 20.1 - Caulk & Air Seal 1.00d 109
11/28/14 11/28/14

Mon Mon
122 20.2 - Draft & Fire Stop 1.00d 121
12/1/14 12/1/14
Tue Thu
123 20.3 - Batt Insulation 3.00d 121,122
12/2/14 12/4/14

County Insulation Thu Thu

124 21 0.00d 123,120
Inspection 12/4/14 12/4/14

BGE Energy Wise Thu Thu

125 22 0.00d 124
Inspection 12/4/14 12/4/14

Fri
126 23 Drywall 26.00d . Fri 1/9/15
12/5/14

Fri Fri
127 23.1 - Stock Drywall 1.00d 124
12/5/14 12/5/14

Mon Fri
128 23.2 - Hang Drywall 5.00d 127
12/8/14 12/12/14

- Remove Scrap Mon Mon

129 23.3 1.00d 128
Drywall 12/15/14 12/15/14

- Tape and Finish Tue Mon

130 23.4 15.00d 128,129
Drywall 12/16/14 1/5/15

131 23.5 - Sand Drywall 1.00d 130 Tue 1/6/15 Tue 1/6/15

Wed
132 23.6 - Drywall Point-up 3.00d 131 Fri 1/9/15
1/7/15

Draw #6 (Insulation &

133 24 0.00d 128,126 Fri 1/9/15 Fri 1/9/15
drywall applied)

Tue Tue
134 25 Floor Finishes 76.00d .
1/13/15 4/28/15

Tue Mon
135 25.1 - Ceramic Tile 15.00d 142
1/13/15 2/2/15

- Install Hardwood Fri Wed

136 25.2 4.00d 146
Floor 3/27/15 4/1/15
- Sand, Stain, Seal Thu Wed
137 25.3 5.00d 196
Hardwood 4/16/15 4/22/15

Thu Tue
138 25.4 - Install Carpet 4.00d 137
4/23/15 4/28/15

Thu Fri
139 25.5 - Final Coat Hardwood 2.00d 196
4/16/15 4/17/15

Wed Mon
140 26 Paint 59.00d .
1/7/15 3/30/15

- Prep Drywall for Wed Thu

141 26.1 2.00d 131
Prime Coat 1/7/15 1/8/15

Mon
142 26.2 - Prime Paint Drywall 2.00d 141 Fri 1/9/15
1/12/15

- Prep Trim for Prime Wed Thu

143 26.3 2.00d 142,152
Coat 1/21/15 1/22/15

Fri Mon
144 26.4 - Prime Trim 2.00d 143
1/23/15 1/26/15

Mon
145 26.5 - Finish Coat Trim 10.00d 144,156 Fri 3/6/15
2/23/15

Mon Thu
146 26.6 - Finish Coat Drywall 14.00d 145,132
3/9/15 3/26/15

- Caulk Exterior Fri Fri

147 26.7 1.00d 146,117
Windows & Doors 3/27/15 3/27/15

- Finish Coat Exterior Mon Mon

148 26.8 1.00d 147
Trim & Siding 3/30/15 3/30/15

Draw #7 (Roofing, Tue Tue

149 27 0.00d 114,157
masonry, siding) 3/31/15 3/31/15

Tue Fri
150 28 Interior Trim 29.00d .
1/13/15 2/20/15
Tue Tue
151 28.1 - Interior Trim Delivery 1.00d 142
1/13/15 1/13/15

Wed Tue
152 28.2 - Install Interior Doors 5.00d 151
1/14/15 1/20/15

Wed Tue
153 28.3 - Install Interior Trim 15.00d 152
1/21/15 2/10/15

Wed Tue
154 28.4 - Install Cabinetry 5.00d 153
2/11/15 2/17/15

Wed Wed
155 28.5 - Install Appliances 1.00d 154
2/18/15 2/18/15

- 1st Punch-out Thu Fri

156 28.6 2.00d 155,144
Interior Trim 2/19/15 2/20/15

Tue Tue
157 29 H.V.A.C. Trim 1.00d 140
3/31/15 3/31/15

- Install Grills & Tue Tue

158 29.1 1.00d 131
Registers for Paint 3/31/15 3/31/15

Tue Tue
159 29.2 - Set Outdoor Units 1.00d 165
3/31/15 3/31/15

Thu Wed
160 30 Plumbing Trim 5.00d .
4/2/15 4/8/15

Thu
161 30.1 - Set Fixtures 4.00d 135,136,146,154 Tue 4/7/15
4/2/15

Wed Wed
162 30.2 - Connect Appliances 1.00d 161
4/8/15 4/8/15

County Final Plumbing Wed Wed

163 31 0.00d 160
Inspection 4/8/15 4/8/15

Mon Tue
164 32 Exterior Landscaping 32.00d .
1/12/15 2/24/15
Mon Mon
165 32.1 - Rough Final Grade 1.00d 119
1/12/15 1/12/15

Tue Wed
166 32.2 - Patios 7.00d 165,119
1/13/15 1/21/15

Thu Wed
167 32.3 - Porches 5.00d 166,119
1/22/15 1/28/15

Thu
168 32.4 - Sidewalks 7.00d 167,119 Fri 2/6/15
1/29/15

Mon Tue
169 32.5 - Decks 7.00d 168,119
2/9/15 2/17/15

Wed Thu
170 32.6 - Driveways 2.00d 165,169
2/18/15 2/19/15

Fri Tue
171 32.7 - Final Grade and Seed 3.00d 170,166,167,168
2/20/15 2/24/15

Wed
172 33 Electrical Final Trim 160.00d . Tue 6/5/14
1/14/15

Tue Wed
173 33.1 - Switch & Plug 2.00d 142,100
1/13/15 1/14/15

Thu Thu
174 33.2 - Install Fixtures 1.00d 146
3/27/15 3/27/15

Thu Thu
175 33.3 - Connect Appliances 1.00d 155,162
4/9/15 4/10/15

Fri Mon
176 34 Hardware 12.00d .
3/27/15 4/13/15

Fri Mon
177 34.1 - Door Hardware 2.00d 145,146
3/27/15 3/30/15

Fri Mon
178 34.2 - Bath Hardware 2.00d 145,146
3/27/15 3/30/15
Tue Mon
179 34.3 - Mirrors 5.00d 178
3/31/15 4/6/15

Tue Mon
180 34.4 - Shower Doors 10.00d 178
3/31/15 4/13/15

Draw #8 (Prime paint, Tue Tue

181 35 0.00d 142,152,154
cabinets, doors) 2/17/15 2/17/15

Draw #9 (Trim, furnace, Tue Tue

182 36 0.00d 153,181
hrdwd, tile, rails) 2/17/15 2/17/15

183 37 Draw #10 (Plumbing

MARKETING

The Top 10 Components of an Effective Construction

Website
THIS TOPIC SPONSORED BY

Use this blueprint for your company's site.

by Lee Zoldan
December 19, 2013

inShare

As the construction industry continues to improve, now is the time to review your company’s
website, both to compare it to the competition and to make sure it accurately reflects what your
company does well.

The industry is driven by the request for proposal (RFP) process, and buyers often determine
who to put on the bid list based on the company’s website. A potential client might consider your
company qualified to bid—or disqualified—simply because your website lists (or doesn’t list)
specific capabilities the buyer needs.
Don’t assume buyers are completely informed about all the players in your industry. Often, the
person who starts the buying process may not have heard of your company or may need an
additional bidder to ensure the process is thorough and isn’t sure who to include. A keyword
search, which uses search engines to identify candidates, can help or hinder your ability to win
new business, depending on which keywords your website includes.

Finally, don’t overlook the importance of websites in recruiting. As the workforce becomes
younger and more computer savvy, they will increasingly turn to a company’s website to
determine whether they want to join an organization. A good website can distinguish you from
other employers, ensuring that you win the attention of the most qualified applicants.

Construction websites have their own set of rules. An industry-standard checklist for a dynamic
website should include the following ten items.

ADVERTISEMENT

1. Large, full-color project photos. Visitors want to see details, so big photos are worth a
thousand words. However, be sure to test the photo resolution before you go live—if it’s too
high, your site will load slowly and people will leave before they see your work. If the resolution
is too low, the images will be blurry and won’t give an accurate (or nice looking) depiction of
your work.
2. Explanations of what the photos represent. Just because a picture is worth a thousand words
doesn’t mean it can completely speak for itself. Explain what the company contributed to the
project, the challenges faced during construction and how those challenges were resolved. Tone
is crucial—focus on the facts, and go easy on the adjectives.
3. Navigation that is searchable by industry and project type. Make sure your list is
comprehensive, and don’t be shy about listing projects twice if they are relevant. This is your
chance to showcase your expertise.
4. Up-to-date project information. Going live with your site is only the beginning. In addition to
updating your website with finished projects, you can include interim progress reports or even
live webcam feeds, especially for work that will take years to finish.
5. A blog written by someone who doesn’t also answer RFPs. To a skilled marketing
professional, news is everywhere, and good writers can present it in a way that is compelling and
clear. Keeping a blog current requires a lot of attention, so consider outsourcing to help you stay
on schedule. Publish as time permits—lack of attention to detail could cause your audience to
wonder where else you’re cutting corners.
ADVERTISEMENT

6. Online plan rooms. This feature allows everyone involved in a project to share documents as
they are updated and revised. This includes the architects, engineers, general contractors and
developers.
7. Project bidding-management software. Allowing contractors to retrieve project specifications
and prequalification forms is becoming increasingly commonplace. This creates a streamlined
system to get contractor bids that are accurate. Online project bidding-management software
frees office staff from having to send out documents for each request.
8. Client portals. Clients can log in for project details and status updates, making your work flow
smoother. Portals usually have a feedback mechanism so clients can directly message the project
manager and have the entire conversation in one convenient place.
9. Optimization for mobile devices. Construction has always been a mobile profession, so you
should optimize your site so it can be viewed on multiple devices. That means larger fonts,
simpler navigation or even a mirror site with the most relevant information someone would need
on the go.
10. Actionable analytics. Most construction companies know how to perform site analytics, but
few actually do. A website isn’t just an electronic brochure, and gathering information about
your site’s performance goes a long way toward helping you improve your website and your
busines