​Welcome to another episode of our series on plugging the profit leaks in your contracting business. Today, we’re diving into the heart of one of the often-overlooked yet essential aspects of project management: Project Scheduling.
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Robin Beauchamp, the scheduling guru, about how proper planning can be your ticket to smoother operations and more profits on your bottom line.
Stick with me through this post, and Robin will share some straightforward insights and tools that can help you approach scheduling with confidence. It’s all about making your life easier and your projects run smoother.
Introducing Robin Beauchamp
Robin’s been in this business for 30 years, and he knows the ins and outs of construction scheduling like no one else. I had him on the Profit Builder six years ago, and I just had to bring him back. Why? Because scheduling isn’t just some tedious task you have to do for clients. Robin believes – and I’m right there with him – that it’s something that can make a massive difference in your life as a contractor.
Scheduling as a Time Saver
Some folks see scheduling as a ‘have-to’ rather than a tool to make life easier. But scheduling can actually be a huge time saver. It can keep you on track, help you avoid losing money on jobs, and make your projects run smoother. Sound good, right?
How Scheduling Works
Robin described the process beautifully:
- Break down the project into all the line items included in the project.
- Assign a duration to each one.
- Link them logically.
Sounds like a lot of little guesses, but when put together, it’s one big, accurate guess. That’s the start of being able to plan ahead more effectively!
The Benefits of a Solid Schedule
Robin likens running a project without a schedule to building or renovating a home without a blueprint or schematic – it would be pure chaos. He emphasized that scheduling allows you to:
- Stop trying to track all the pieces in your head and then have things fall through the cracks. Instead, you know what needs to happen and when because you have it in writing!
- Plan efficiently because you know what’s coming in front of you. No more last-minute emergency orders of materials that were forgotten, or subcontractors not scheduled in time.
- Have a way to hold all stakeholders – architect, designer, homeowners, and subcontractors – accountable to an agreed-upon plan. Robin does a great job explaining how to do this!
- Create a plan for managing projects well – and then you avoid working 10-12 hours a day, putting out fires!
Investing Time at the Front End
Robin made an essential point that struck me: a project that flows better at the back end requires more time at the front end. Planning and scheduling can save you from aggravation, heartache, delays, and even financial loss.
A Weekly Practice
Robin suggests a discipline that can really help you – updating the schedule once a week. This enables you to stay in front of what’s coming and act rather than react.
Wrap-Up
Scheduling isn’t just a hoop to jump through or some tedious task. It’s a game-changer, a real tool in your contractor’s toolkit that can smooth out those projects and put more money in your pocket. Think of it as a roadmap for success.
Robin’s wisdom? It’s more than words; it’s decades of hard-earned experience ready to be put to work for you. Take it, apply it, and watch your business transform.
Now, don’t just take my word for it; click on that video below. Watch Robin and I get down to the real nuts and bolts of it. Share your thoughts, share the video with your crew, and let’s turn construction scheduling into your path to success.