Let me tell you a secret about Construction Sites
Ulrik Branner
CEO & Founder at SiteHub | Delivering Site Logistics on Mission Critical Projects
A few weeks back I visited a construction site starting up on GenieBelt - and also starting up their site and facilities. The impression of their work environment stuck with me, and the mood and sense of welcome stayed with me over the coming weeks, as I visited other construction sites.
Why? Well, basically because the main contractor had taken a conscious choice to build some great facilities for their own crew as well as for the subbies and client. From the broad staircase up to the entrance, through the large, clean well furnitured common eating area, through the kitchen area with a proper kitchen space, facilities and proper lighting, to the meeting rooms with large flatscreens, strong Wifi, whiteboards and good space. The meeting we had, with main- and sub-contractors went well - and the technology needed on a modern construction site worked - no lousy wifi, fumbling for cables or trying to show images through a bad projector - everyone present where able to both view, work and share.
So why did this stick with me? Well, because where it should be the normal standard to have a workspace like this, it unfortunately isn't. And my view is, that this is costing construction companies and clients millions across thousands of sites, every day.
HOW A CONSTRUCTION SITE OFFICE SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Peder Lykke School Renovation Project - Copenhagen, Denmark. Main contractor: Juul & Nielsen
THINK BACK ON YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITES
What does the typical construction shed look like? Close your eyes 10 seconds and think about it. Does it have open spaces, proper ventilation, inviting kitchen- and eating areas? Does it have great education and meeting facilities? Can you find an open lounge area with green plants, overlooking the construction site? Where these the images you got?
If it wasnt - why not? It is not going to cost a fortune to establish and maintain this at all - the site I visited had this in place for a €20M project running over 2 years and a total crew of 85 people. When the project is finished, the estimate is that 50% of that cost can be re-used on the next site.
THE BUSINESS RATIONALE OF BETTER LIVING
“We will all make more money, if we get to learn each other better, respect and like each other ... Creating a great environment for team work and “hygge” as it is called in Danish, makes pure business sense”
Tommy Nielsen, CEO
I asked the CEO Tommy Nielsen to put words to why they chose to do this, and the answers are simple and resonate with such logic, that again I must ask: “Why is this not the norm?”
“We want to create an environment that promotes cooperation and team work - asking people to eat in the car, use the corners of the site as toilets and sit in small dark office spaces in a container, creates the exact opposite environment and behaviour” Tommy starts off with. “...if you eat lunch next to someone, talk about daily life, problems and the soccer game last night, you form a bond and you build a relationship. And groups of people in relationships work better, help each other and communicate clearer, which means they make less mistakes, dont cheat each other and in the end we all make more money”
Remember my post on “The 4 Pillars of Partnership” and how team work earns you more money? And then let's repeat the core dynamics of the global construction industry, just to underline the business value of what CEO Tommy Nielsen told me:
- 30% efficiency of construction site work force
- Up to 20% re-work average, where 50% of this is due to wrong communication
- Stress- and conflict lvls higher than comparable industries
- 80% AVERAGE budget overrun globally, on medium and large projects
So what Tommy is saying is: “We will all make more money, if we get to learn each other better, respect and like each other and if we speed up the “introduction curve” of the team. Creating a great environment for team work and “hygge” as it is called in Danish ( look it up ), makes pure business sense”
So I ask you as a reader to chip in:
- What is your impression of the average construction site environment?
- Is it proper business sense to invest in great facilities?
- How come this isnt the standard on construction sites?
Sincerely
Ulrik, CEO GenieBelt
Associate Director-Construction Claims| London, New York| Columbia University
6 年That's true.. it is not the case with construction sites.. which hampering productivity of engg.
Client-side project and programme manager. Specialist in offsite construction, higher education, schools and residential projects.
6 年I think the quick answer as to why these types of facilities don't find their way to sites is lowest cost tendering. A lot of clients would not buy into the benefits without data proving its a better way to work. Hopefully more case studies like the one described will show a better way forward.
Business Leader, Strategist & Work Winner at Seeking New Management role in construction or building products
6 年I have been on sites with good office facilities but they tend to be the very large projects.? I suppose it is not so viable on the smaller projects.
Very eye opening and thought provoking. An initial reaction is such facilities aren't possible on a construction site are they but that is endemic of the embedded attitude of ‘it has always been done this way’ which is a handbrake on the industry. If the Construction industry can be brave and challenge itself to make enlightening changes then this great industry can carrying on producing the buildings we all need but in a much more efficient and productive way.