Tag Archives: Scheduling Software

US Homebuilders Reach Highest Confidence Levels Since 2005

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Things are looking bright. The steadily improving US housing market is affecting home-builder sentiment in a positive way. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a statement last July 16, 2015 saying builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes hit a level of 60 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). For reference, a reading over 50 means that most builders generally see conditions as positive. The reading for June was upward one point to 60 as well. This bodes well for the market since the last time the HMI reached this level was way back in November 2005.

NAHB Chairman Tom Woods said, “The fact that builder confidence has returned to levels not seen since 2005 shows that housing continues to improve at a steady pace.” Woods further added that as we head into the second half of 2015, we should expect a continued recovery of the housing market.

Stronger sales and continued job growth, these are two of the reasons for the extremely positive outlook of US homebuilders. According to NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe, despite this, builders still face a number of challenges including shortages of lots and labor.

Recovery is continuous process however. “This month’s new-home sales report is consistent with other government data and rising builder confidence that indicate a continual recovery of the housing market,” added Crowe. “The uptick in existing-home sales bodes well for builders, as it shows that the sellers are able to buy a new home.”

The market is looking bright and the industry is very optimistic. The question now is, what are your plans on how to ride this wave?

Notes: The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index is strictly the product of NAHB Economics, and is not seen or influenced by any outside party prior to being released to the public. HMI tables can be found at nahb.org/hmi. More information on housing statistics is also available at housingeconomics.com.

 

5 Reasons Why Planning & Scheduling are Important

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The Two Go Hand in Hand

A smart business owner knows that planning and scheduling are crucial to success. In fact, these two activities form the basis for almost all processes and activities in the company. That’s why it’s important for you to take the time to learn why exactly these two are important to any builder who wants to level up.

Planning and scheduling go hand in hand. They need each other in order to achieve maximum results. Planning may involve creating a business plan, setting goals for the year, or listing down tasks that need to be done. When you plan, you map out your next course of action.

But of course, step two involves setting a timeline. It’s not enough to identify what needs to be done. It’s equally important to figure out when these things need to be accomplished. This is where scheduling comes in. When we talk about scheduling, we’re dealing with specific dates and specific timeframes.

So for planning and scheduling, it’s all about laying out the what’s, the how’s, the why’s, and the when’s.

Now let’s look at the benefits:

1. Goals Become More Achievable

It’s easy to say that you want your revenue to double. But we all know that it’s far easier said than done. However, if you’re prepared with a solid plan and a realistic schedule, your goals will suddenly be more tangible. Now you can see the exact baby steps needed to get to your destination.

2. It Keeps Your Costs Down

Planning and scheduling allow you to stick within a budget. This is especially true for builders who deal with different types of personnel- some of whom are on a contractual, weekly, or even daily wage. Without a careful plan and timeline, you will definitely go over-budget.

3. They Prepare You for Unexpected Problems

A good plan should also identify the possible risks and challenges. When you’re properly organized, it’s easier to predict the problems that may pop up during a project. Thus, it’s much easier to craft contingencies.

4. Everyone is on the Same Page

With a carefully crafted plan and schedule, you can get every member of your team on the same page. Expectations are clear and roles are clearly defined. Each team and team member knows when their part begins and ends. Target dates of completion for each segment is disseminated to everyone. Basically, everybody knows their part. This means less stress for you!

5. Progress is Easier to Track

Once you’ve determined your goals and tasks, together with its corresponding schedule, it’s easier to determine where your company currently stands. Progress tracking is possible since you now have benchmarks to compare with.

Planning and Scheduling Made Easy

We know that planning for each project, let alone planning for the entire company can be a very daunting task. And let’s face it, scheduling and getting everyone synchronized can be a pain. That’s why we’re making it easier for you with SAM- The Superintendent’s Automated Manager.

Try it today for free, or maybe watch our online tutorial first. Either way, there’s plenty to gain, and nothing to lose!

The Better Construction Manager: Why You Should Stay Organized

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What Makes a Good Construction Project Manager?

A single home construction entails hundreds, if not thousands, of tasks. No task is too big or too small. Everything has to be done on time – in a way that is best for both the homeowner and the contractor. And when several projects happen at the same time, chaos can break loose if you’re not prepared for the challenge.

So wait, how can you be prepared? What separates the best construction managers from the lousy ones? The answer lies in one word- Organization. Being organized.

Benefits of Being Organized

But why is it important again? Why can’t we just wing everything and let the dice fall where they may? To remind you, we’re listing down the top benefits of staying organized.

Focus – An organized person removes clutter, distractions, and hindrances. Basically, anything that isn’t helpful gets put away in its proper place. The result? Laser-focus. Once you declutter, whether it’s your work desk, email inbox, tools cabinet or your mind, it’s much easier to think. It’s easier to focus on the task at hand, as well as the bigger goal.

Double Productivity – You can even triple it! With less time and mental resources wasted, you will have more time for more important tasks. You will have more brainpower left to properly delegate your team, think of solutions to pressing issues, or even stay ahead and craft effective contingencies.

 

Positive Business Image – Who would you rather work with: a frazzled project manager or a calm one who is always on top of his or her projects? If your team sees you being all organized and in charge, they will be inspired to follow suit. Clients who see how organized you are will also correlate it with professionalism. This can roll over to positive recommendations which can lead to more projects.

Lower Stress Levels – A clean desk, an organized calendar of activities, a carefully planned week, teammates who know exactly what they need to do, and more time on your hands… all of these equate to less stress! An organized manager is not only more successful, he or she is also much happier. Hey, if there’s a way to delay the onset of more wrinkles, we’re all game for that!

Want to find out more about how you can coordinate your projects with ease? Click here to learn about SAM- The Superintendent’s Automated Manager. It’s time to be the better construction manager.