Cutting The Costs Of Construction Supplies

Keeping construction projects profitable is getting harder. Material prices are constantly fluctuating and labour costs are rising. However, there are still some smart and practical strategies that you can use to cut costs - all without sacrificing quality of safety. This post explores a few methods that could be worth exploring.

Consider recycled and reclaimed materials

Using recycled metal and reclaimed timber can significantly reduce material costs, while also making your construction project greener and also potentially adding a more rustic aesthetic to the structure (not always desirable, but worth discussing with clients, especially when renovating older buildings). Just make sure to always buy such materials from a reputable supplier for assured quality and structural suitability. 

Purchase certain supplies in bulk

You can save a lot of money by buying certain supplies like cement bags and sheet materials in bulk. This is a sensible option if you’ve got multiple projects lined up where you know you’re going to use these supplies. Just make sure that you have adequate space for storing these supplies and consider the expiry date (Portland cement often loses some of its binding strength after 3 months - this guide at Civil Today offers some tips that may extend its life).

Explore pre-fabricated components

Instead of assembling everything on site, look into components that are already assembled for you. Factory-built wall panels, roof trusses and bathroom pods are all examples of this. Some companies are put off buying these prefabricated components because they can have a higher upfront cost, but you’ll often save money in the long run by speeding up construction and reducing labour costs. For fiddly parts of your build, it also reduces potential errors or the need to hire specialists.

Challenge traditional build techniques

There are some long-running construction techniques that are still the cheapest and most reliable option. But in some cases, there may be alternative modern solutions that you can explore. For example, when considering foundations for lightweight structures like decks and garden rooms, it’s not always necessary to use concrete - alternatives like ground screws from Ground Screw Centre are cheaper and quicker. 

Know when to be loyal - and when to shop around

Sometimes being loyal to a supplier can get you access to exclusive discounts. You may not always be offered these discounts, so be prepared to ask - especially when it comes to buying materials in bulk. You may also be able to get discounts by creating trade accounts with some supply stores. That said, loyalty doesn’t always pay off, and it can be worth shopping around before projects to see if you can get better prices elsewhere - especially when it comes to more premium materials and niche components. 

Cutting construction supply costs: a conclusion

To save money on supplies combine the above strategies. Buy bulk commonly used materials from trusted suppliers to access discounts and shop around for more unique materials to get the best price. Use prefabricated components and challenge traditional methods when taking on projects that are contemporary in design, and contrastingly take advantage of reclaimed materials if you want to complement an older building.

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