Builders are in unprecedented high demand. With Tasmania experiencing a construction blitz set to deliver $3.15 billion to the economy and employment to over 15,000 workers, it should be smiles all around for the building industry. But many builders are struggling with stress, compliance, rising costs, shortages and delays putting their business survival at risk. But there are ways builders can manage risk for themselves and deliver on homeowners’ dreams.
In recent months a number of Tasmania’s residential home builders have succumbed, entering liquidation and leaving homeowners high and dry. Before panic sets in and more pins fall, builders need to know, prepare and circumvent the risks for themselves, and in turn, their customers. Guiding builders is new firm HED Consulting – Hobart Engineering & Design, with an experienced team of experts in the Tasmanian building industry.
Building designer at HED Consulting, Dave Abel, has seen the stress on builders first hand. His advice to builders is to get ahead of the build before it runs away in costs and complexities. “Time is always money and with so many supply and cost factors out of a builder’s control right now, the processes that can be controlled need to be robust. This starts well before the slab gets poured.”
For even the most seasoned builders, the pre-construction processes are complex, time-consuming, rife for error, and expensive when plans are derailed. With no easy blocks left on the Tasmanian market, each presents more risks in the unknown. Coupled with today’s economic climate, builders are left without a buffer in the contract to account for these costs. It’s more important than ever to get it right the first time so that builders can manage risk efficiently and effectively.
Dave explains that by specialising in this process, they have developed a keen understanding of not just the steps in this complex system but the timeframes and hurdles to flag before small issues snowball into very real risks to the build.
Partnering with HED Consulting
When builders partner with HED Consulting, they are relieved to escape the DIY of the daunting documentation required to get a build out of the ground. With site surveys, title checks, certificates of likely compliance from planning, building and energy, not to mention council RFI (request further info), the HED team minimise the risks through their stringent process.
Dave strongly believes that now is the right time for builders to reassess their knowledge and resources to prioritise the pre-construction process to eliminate the risks for each project they embark on.
One thing HED Consulting sees time and time again is that homeowners put a lot of trust and investment into partnering with their builder. Dave explains, “when the builder is confident and secure from the start in pre-construction, it carries through to the homeowner and sets up a successful build”.
As more homeowners build in Tasmania, it’s on builders and the industry to deliver a high quality build, on time and on budget with a home that will stand the test of time long after the blitz is done. Builders improving their processes, being aware of the challenges and managing the risks in the early stages is a crucial step to success and avoiding the fate of those that have fallen.
Contact Dave Abel to learn more about managing risks for your projects in today’s building environment.
