How to Stay Relevant in the Construction Industry

The recent surge in inflation has been felt in every corner of the economy: and the construction industry is no exception. Faced with rising material costs, and dwindling custom from cash-strapped customers, many tradespeople are starting to worry. According to one recent survey, around 80% of those in the industry are worried about what the future might hold for it.

If you’re going to survive in your chosen trade, then you’ll want to give yourself every possible advantage. But what does this mean in practice?

Second jobs

According to the polling we’ve already mentioned, around 29% of construction workers think they will get a second job. 13% believe that they’ll have to move outside of construction altogether, and get a job in transport or manufacturing.

If you’ve spent years accumulating experience and expertise in construction, then it seems likely that you’ll be valuable. To set that aside and start from scratch in another profession might be a big step. 

Perhaps a more pragmatic approach might be to retrain in a different niche. So, bricklayers might look at diversifying into solar panel installation, roofing, or plastering. A more diverse skillset means a greater breadth of work to take on. What’s more, if you have knowledge of many niches, then you might be able to spot solutions to unique problems. Work can become more satisfying, as well as more lucrative.

Retraining

Of course, investing in formal retraining might also be worthwhile. This will provide you with a solid base to work from, and help you to avoid making mistakes. If you’ve been trading for a while, then you might already have a network of contacts from whom you can learn a great deal.

Saving on Materials

The cost of materials can be driven down if you know how to negotiate. Form a close relationship with your suppliers. If you’re loyal, then you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of buying in bulk, even if you’re not actually buying all that much in one go. 

Your suppliers will naturally be under the same economic pressures as you are, but still: it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Marketing

If your customers aren’t aware of you or what you do, then they’ll be unlikely to pick up the phone. You’ll get a lot of your trade through word of mouth. As such, you might consider every job an opportunity to advertise your talents. Ask customers if you can hang signs next to public-facing jobs, even if it’s just for a few days. Word can spread quickly! You might also go for the more direct route: business cards, branded vehicles, and an online presence will help drive trade in your direction.