School districts planning construction, renovation, and security upgrade projects need to act quickly before the busy construction season begins full speed ahead.
In some locales, a relatively mild winter has building projects already underway.
Here are some of the top challenges, identified by the Forbes Business Council, facing the construction industry – affecting schools and other projects – as well as the things school administrators could expect.
1. Material and Supply Costs, Availability
This is a challenge facing many industries. Materials are, in general, some of the biggest costs in construction, so the increase in material costs has a huge impact on the industry. Inflation and supply chain disruptions have made the cost of acquiring necessary materials for construction both more expensive and more time-consuming.
2. Shortage of Workers
The shortage of skilled workers is one the most well-known issues currently facing the construction industry. In order for projects to proceed, there must be enough people to get the job done. A shortage of people can lead to burnout, which can lead to further decline in skilled workers as more leave the industry.
3. Weather
Weather has always posed challenges to construction, but it is becoming an even larger problem. Climate change has been increasing the amount of extreme weather phenomenon. For example, according to the EPA, climate change is likely to lead to more heat waves and storms.
Construction workers are heavily affected by the weather. If there is extreme weather, whether it be rain, snow or heat, they cannot work. Storms can also slow down or ruin the progress they make on projects.
At the same time, weather can be dangerous to workers, and construction leaders are responsible for the safety of their employees.
According to Clay Crost, education market director at Sonitrol Great Lakes, last year’s project schedule for security installations and upgrades posed challenges. “What we found last year, there was not enough time for all the projects that needed to get done, and 90% of them went right to deadline, creating a lot of stress for everyone involved.”
Crost adds, “Now is the time to plan for those 2023 and beyond projects. With all of the myriad issues affecting projects, schools need to plan ever earlier for all types of work.”