When you are about to undertake a significant construction project, you must do lots of planning and preparation to ensure you have everything in place. Working out the required materials and finding the best supplier for everything you need will require a lot of time and effort. With a bit of patience and lots of searching, you can save yourself a lot of money on the materials for your construction project. Below are some tips to help you plan the required materials and get the best possible prices.
Create A Materials Calendar & List
One of the first things you will need to do is work out a list of construction materials and when you will need them. A materials calendar lets you know what you require and when, which can help prevent costly delays with your construction project. Break the project into smaller parts and start listing everything you need for each stage of it, and you can start inputting the required materials into separate pages on a spreadsheet, which will help you when shopping for suppliers.
Putting Together Your Shopping List Spreadsheet
Using a spreadsheet to list everything needed for your project allows you to create a separate page for all the materials and add different suppliers to compare prices easily before ordering. You will want to include various bits of information on each page of your spreadsheet, including:
- Item/Material Required
- Quantity
- Names of Suppliers
- Contact Details
- Links to Website
- Unit Price
- Delivery Charge
- Discounts Available
- Lead Time
Once you have put all the information into your spreadsheet, you can start looking for suppliers and adding their details to help you find the best deals.
Comparing The Different Suppliers
When you have added all the details to your spreadsheet you need to and have multiple suppliers for everything you need, you can start looking for the best solution for ordering what is required. You will find that chasing the lowest unit price all the time can end up costing you more in the long run, and this is because you may find one cheaper supplier, but there is nothing else you will purchase from them. As such, you may need to pay the delivery charge, whereas if you used a different supplier that is slightly more expensive but has multiple items you need, you could save money buying this way.
Compare Their Online Reputations Before Ordering
Before purchasing from any of the online materials suppliers you have found, you will want to look at their online reputations before placing your order. You can do this by looking at their Facebook or Instagram pages, and also review websites such as trustpilot.com, which can give insight into the service they provide.
Once you are satisfied that you have reputable companies on your list, you can start ordering your construction supplies doe the dates they are needed and begin the construction process of your project. Through hard work and dedication, you can get the best deals on the materials you require and ensure your project comes within budget and on time.
Comments are closed.