Looking for tips on how to learn construction skills? Mastering excavation skills might not come naturally to most of us, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to learn. With a bit of training and practice, anyone can become a pro. It all hinges on your determination to master certain skills and the effort you invest in honing them. This leads us to two vital questions: What key things do you need to master before claiming the title of a construction pro? And what if you prefer to hire a local engineer rather than train to become one?
Keep reading this article, as we’ll address these questions. But first things first: Let’s kickstart this discussion with the first question.
What Are The Most Important Construction Skills?
You can’t become an excavation pro if you are not a great communicator. Or if you are not making an effort to master communication. Because let’s be honest, your ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, is crucial for successful project completion. You’ll be interacting with local structural engineers, supervisors, project managers, and various professionals regularly.
Alongside communication, other essential skills in construction encompass problem-solving, project management, and construction oversight. If you will be managing a project, you should make an effort to learn some of those skills. Moreover, if your role involves operating machinery, proficiency in machine operation is key. It’s equally vital to be well-versed in safety protocols to ensure proper workwear usage and a safe working environment.
Pro advice: Avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to learn everything at once—it’s an impossible feat. Focus on mastering one skill at a time. Prioritize the skills that you’ll use regularly in your daily tasks. As you progress, you can continue to learn and develop additional skills over time.
Speaking With the Pros
Are you one of those people who are hesitant to speak with the pros? That’s totally understandable. Most are introverts who are not easy to approach. But there are those who are social human beings who have no qualms to interact. You need to ensure that you find a way to collaborate and communicate with both introverts and extroverts.
In construction, effective communication is the cornerstone of the success of every construction project. And if you can’t communicate well, you are likely to fail.
Here is another different scenario: you’re a project or construction manager seeking an engineer, what do you do? Do you spend hours trying to learn that skill? That won’t work for you. The only practical option is to outsource this professional skill. Training to become an engineer yourself isn’t impossible, no matter how optimistic you are. Why? Because it involves putting your ongoing projects on hold for years to return to college. By the time you complete the training, significant changes may have occurred within your team. Most of your team members would have resigned or retired.
Becoming an engineer is a challenging and time-consuming journey. That’s why there are fewer engineers compared to marketers or HR managers. The good news is, hiring engineers isn’t as difficult as learning that skill, especially if you know where to look. Start by exploring local options—many engineering firms offer quality services at reasonable rates. Local structural engineers, in particular, prioritize their reputation within the community, knowing that their clients are familiar with them. If any issues arise, local residents are likely to voice their concerns, making it easier for you to evaluate the company’s performance.
You need to know which questions to ask, and have the confidence to speak with the pros. Even if it means occasionally stepping on toes.
Learning Excavation
So, you have got an excavation project ahead or need driveway excavation at home. The big question: do you do it yourself or hire a professional? You hire a pro. Excavation isn’t something you learn overnight—it takes years of practice and skill development. Specialists in excavation that you see have honed their expertise over many years, mastering the basics such as excavation tools, technical knowledge, assessment, and planning.
Now, if you’re dealing with debris-laden land, a land clearing company is your go-to. The quickest way to find a land clearing company is running a search on Google. Search ‘land clearing company’ on Google, and you’ll find a list of local services. Check their offerings to find the best fit for you. If you don’t find what you need online there is an option to ask your friends and neighbors. Asking for recommendations from those around you is always an option worth exploring.
Purchasing Equipment Trailers
When it comes to construction, tools are a must. Some are everyday purchases, while others are project-specific and quite pricey. Investing in equipment trailers, however, can be a smart move for your business. Trailers come in handy for most excavation projects. But here’s the catch: the more you use a trailer, the more wear and tear on its parts. Repairs start to add up, costing you valuable money that could be better spent elsewhere.
If you’re considering buying equipment trailers, what factors should you consider before making a purchase?
- First off, make sure that the equipment trailer is affordable. Don’t go for something that is not within your affordability.
- Secondly, ask yourself if it will be easy for you to get those parts locally. Local trailer parts make it fairly easy for you to repair your trailer.
- Thirdly, find out in advance how much trailer repair costs.
Utilizing Trailers for Work
Determining the type of trailer you need is crucial. But you have to decide to use a trailer for work, you need to decide what kind of trailer to use. If you’re dealing with heavy machinery or equipment, a heavy haul trailer might be the solution. Let’s say you need to transport hefty machinery to a new site—this trailer could be perfect for that task.
Understanding how you’ll use these trailers for work is equally important. It helps you budget for monthly servicing. For instance, if you’ll use the trailers for rubble removal, you’ll need sturdy, spacious trailers. Heavy haul trailers are a construction company’s top choice—they’re versatile and robust.
Benefits of using trailers for work include:
- Flatbed trailers are excellent for heavy loads.
- Heavy haul trailers are ideal for long-distance transportation.
- They can transport large components over rough terrain.
- Perfect for construction excavation projects.
Learning to Repair Equipment
When it comes to fixing heavy equipment, you’ve got two choices: To repair yourself or hire a professional to repair the equipment for you. If you choose the DIY route (which we don’t recommend), there are essential points to consider:
- Prioritize maintenance: Regular upkeep prevents costly repairs. Learning maintenance can save you time and money in the long run.
- Consider specialists: Using bumper repair companies ensures precision and saves you from damaging valuable machinery with incorrect parts.
- Evaluate repair costs: Sometimes, buying new equipment might cost less than extensive repairs. Always weigh your options.
- Repair vs. rebuild: Make sure you know the difference. Repair addresses specific technical issues, while rebuilding involves replacing multiple parts or overhauling the entire machinery. For instance, opting to replace all worn parts in the equipment is rebuilding.
Renting Equipment
Opting to rent heavy equipment can be a budget-friendly choice. Here’s why it can be advantageous:
- Cost-effective: Renting is ideal for short-term needs. You pay for equipment usage for a few days, avoiding long-term costs of ownership.
- Maintenance-free: Renting spares you the headache of servicing or rebuilding machinery. The equipment owner maintains it in good working order.
- Flexibility: You can access specific heavy machines for brief periods without the commitment of owning them. This suits short-term projects or occasional needs.
There are various companies that offer equipment rentals for both small and heavy machines. On the other hand, there are companies that strictly offer heavy equipment rental, you just need to know which company to approach and for which service. We can’t stress this more: Compare prices. Go for an equipment rentals company that rents out quality equipment that will make your job easy. Remember, when renting heavy equipment, there are terms and conditions to consider. Take a moment to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.
Purchasing Other Equipment
If you’re considering buying equipment, be sure you’ve budgeted for it. Take your time with the purchase—don’t rush into the first deal. Look around and compare prices to find the best value. Local suppliers often have a range of options and can even deliver the equipment to your site for a small fee. If you’re unable to transport it yourself, check with the supplier about their delivery options.
Now you may ask, where do I begin searching for equipment to purchase? If you run the search term ” dump trailer for sale” on Google, you find tons of trailers available locally.
Learning to Use Equipment
Once you’ve purchased or rented your equipment, take some time to familiarize yourself with it. Most equipment comes with a manual, make sure that you check it. It’s a goldmine of information. Not only will a manual tell you how to utilize the equipment, but also how to maintain, or repair it.
If something’s not clear, check out the supplier’s YouTube channel for helpful videos. Consider making a simple guideline that all your employees can follow when using the new machine or equipment. Apps such as Loom or SweetProcess can be lifesavers for creating easy-to-follow instructions or videos for your team.
A good example of an equipment that will need some learning before using is a crane carrier. Before trying to use this tool make sure that you know how to use it properly. Or else, ask the supplier to send someone to train you before using it. This is crucial as it will reduce accidents and help you complete projects faster.
Selling Second-Hand Equipment
You have purchased your equipment, and used it for years. Lately, you have realized that the old equipment no longer serves you. Under such circumstances, the best thing to do is to sell your second hand equipment. If you are not a seller, you will find it hard selling a piece of machine. Here are a few things you need to be aware of:
- When you sell your second hand equipment, there is a huge possibility you’ll sell it at far less than your asking price.
- You need to know the book value of your equipment before you sell it. Your accountant should be able to assist with this.
- When you sell your second equipment, you should be open for negotiations.
- There are companies that allow you to trade in your old equipment when you try to purchase a new one.
Before you let go of your old equipment, ensure the new one can perform better than the old.To avoid disappointments, consider testing it before transporting it to your site. Make a few tests to see how it is. If you feel the new machine offers worthless features, hold on. Don’t rush into making any purchase. Shop around to see if you can find something better.
Final Thoughts
By now you know what are the most important construction skills to learn. Most importantly, you are aware of all the pros and cons of hiring versus buying equipment. And if you find yourself in a position where you need to sell your old machine or equipment you know exactly what to do. When you purchase equipment, never compromise on quality. Always go for a machine that makes your job easy and efficient.
Each piece of equipment that you use has a book value, always make sure you know it as this crucial information you will need when you want to try to get a loan, assess your company’s assets. Remember learning is not a linear process, there is bound to be numerous ups and downs that you will test. Make sure that you always arm yourself with knowledge and construction skills that will make you stand out.
