How to Secure a Successful Build During Uncertain Times | Construction Tips & Strategies

The construction industry is facing significant challenges in today’s dynamic and unpredictable global climate. With ongoing supply chain disruptions and trade shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, securing a successful build has become more complex than ever. This blog offers valuable insights, tips, and strategies for navigating these challenges and ensuring a successful construction project during these uncertain times. Additionally, we’ll cover important questions to ask your potential builder to safeguard your investment.

Navigating Construction Industry Challenges

The Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions

Due to the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and reduced shipping options, the construction industry has encountered significant trade shortages and continual price increases over the past few years. This unprecedented situation has disrupted the supply chain, creating increased demand and reduced supply. As a result, both local and international suppliers have leveraged these challenges to raise their prices, further complicating the construction industry landscape.

With a combined 57 years in the industry, Resi Homes has never seen such a significant disruption in the supply chain. This experience underlines the importance of selecting a builder with a long trading history and strong relationships with suppliers. A well-established builder can negotiate better deals, ensuring honest competitive prices and shorter lead times, which is crucial for securing a successful build during uncertain times.

Strategies to Overcome Trade Shortages

Major builders, despite their buying power and access to trades on demand, can struggle in tough building climates. The high demand for these services often leads to opportunistic price increases from trades. Building companies that rely solely on subcontractors may face significant price hikes or severe delays from trades that honour original pricing. It’s wise to question a builder’s pipeline and ensure they are not overcommitting, which can impact their ability to deliver a project on time and within budget.

Key Questions to Ask Your Builder

Ensuring Smooth Project Execution

To ensure your build runs smoothly, it's essential to discuss how your prospective builder is managing the current climate. Here are some important questions to ask:

• How many trades are employed in-house on wages?
• As my builder, are you prepared to include fixed-price quotes and guaranteed lead times in the contract for items such as roofing, frames and trusses, and concreting?
• What is your procurement process, and how are you navigating supply chain disruptions?
• How many current construction projects do you have on the books? What is your lead time from contract signing to actual commencement on-site?
• Can you guarantee a build start with a deposit or reimbursement if it is not started by the agreed-upon date?
• For reassurance, can you provide referrals or contacts of previous clients who have had their house completed within the last six months?

Building Successfully During Uncertain Times with Resi Homes

As a builder working through this challenging climate, Resi Homes is transparent about the longer lead times and fluctuating prices currently affecting the industry. However, with extensive experience in managing the ups and downs of the building and construction industry, Resi Homes is better prepared than most to handle these situations effectively.

The best preparation for your project is education. If you would like more insight into the current construction industry challenges and the best way to proceed with your build, give us a call. Dayne is always ready to help, offering free advice and sharing his dedication to an industry he is passionate about.

At Resi Homes, we believe that the only thing more enjoyable than building a house is seeing the smiles of appreciative clients at the end of the project. That satisfaction comes from being totally transparent, putting the client’s wants at the forefront, and delivering a quality build on time.

Ready to secure a successful build during these challenging times? Contact Dayne at Resi Homes for expert advice and start your journey with confidence.