What Are The Keys to Success in Construction?

It's a big question. One worth answering, and one worth taking the time to answer well. Because when you can define this for yourself and your firm, that's an unbeatable path forward.

It has to be you though. Who you are at your core. What you are and what you can deliver.

You can't tell the difference between most construction companies. Whether that's on the design side or the construction side. It's who you know and who you've been working with that defines the industry. Since this industry has a foundation of trust. If you can't trust someone you can't work with them.

Looking at their websites or LinkedIn profiles (if they have them) are the same. We build buildings. Now, some might have a specialty. Some might be in manufacturing or healthcare. Some might do schools or corporate. Some might do lab spaces and clean rooms.

At the core, we build (or design) buildings. We've been around for xx years. Here are some of our projects. Here are some of our clients.

Which means that the hardest thing to do is separate yourself on paper. Sure, some pictures are prettier than others. Some projects more impressive. The thing that makes a firm, the thing that money can't buy. That PR can't fix. Is the experience of working with you and your reputation in the market.

The experience working with you is only done on projects. Giving you a catch-22. You can't show someone how good you are if they don't work with you.

Your reputation does speak volumes. As an individual and firm. Because we've all worked with firms who have both good and bad project managers. A bad PM will wreck a project and folks won't bid on projects because they are working on it.

Which is why firms talk about longevity. A firm that's been around a long time means they have financial stability. In construction, this is one of the biggest indicators they don't overleverage. They are smart with money. This is half the game.

Doing that many projects over that long a time horizon means something. It gives people confidence. Like my $1 Billion in projects spanning over a decade of all types of projects. You need to see a lot. You need to work on a lot of different projects. Which enables you to bring more solutions to the forefront.

Reputation is the most valuable thing you have. It's built over decades and ruined in moments. Don't let anyone ruin your reputation or that of your firms. Because it is also the most difficult to repair. This is the biggest key in construction. If you have a great reputation, it means you do great work, with great people on great projects.

And if you're working to build your reputation. Keep this in mind. Do the right thing. Do what you say you're going to do. And if you're unsure, then find the answer.