Preparing Your Construction Business for Cold Weather
As temperatures start to drop and winter approaches, contractors need to be proactive in preparing for the challenges colder weather brings. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a young contractor experiencing your first winter season, planning ahead can save you headaches, money, and downtime. Here’s what you should be thinking about as the cold sets in.
1. Winterizing Your Equipment
One of the most immediate concerns when colder weather arrives is ensuring your equipment is ready to handle freezing conditions. Preventive maintenance is key, and here are a few crucial steps to take:
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Check Antifreeze Levels: Ensuring all your heavy machinery, service trucks, and pickup trucks have the right antifreeze levels can prevent costly engine damage. The last thing you want is to replace multiple engines because of neglected maintenance.
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General Maintenance: Go through a full winter service on all equipment—change the oil, inspect batteries, and check tires for proper inflation and tread.
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Emergency Preparedness: Equip vehicles with winter kits that include chains, emergency blankets, and other essentials in case of unexpected breakdowns.
2. Planning Your Winter Workload
When it comes to bidding on jobs during the winter months, smart planning can make all the difference. Certain types of jobs are more suited to colder, wetter conditions than others.
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Rock vs. Dirt Jobs: If you’re working in areas with a mix of rock and dirt, consider focusing on rock projects during winter. Rock work is less affected by wet conditions, allowing crews to maintain steady productivity and cash flow.
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Moisture Considerations: Dirt jobs require warm temperatures and wind to dry out properly. In winter, drying takes much longer, leading to significant downtime. A summer rain might only set you back a day or two, but winter conditions can delay work for four to five days.
3. Employee Retention Through Winter
Keeping your team working through the colder months is essential for maintaining a skilled workforce. Layoffs can lead to losing experienced workers who may not return in the spring. To avoid this:
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Steady Work: Look for longer-term projects that can carry you through the winter months, such as rock jobs that offer consistent work despite the weather.
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Planning Ahead: Think ahead to the spring and ensure your workload is balanced so you don’t face a work drought after the winter season.
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Communication: Keep employees informed about winter work expectations and any potential slowdowns to manage their expectations.
4. Weather Challenges in Middle Tennessee
If you’re operating in Middle Tennessee, you’re likely familiar with the challenges the local climate brings. With a mix of cloudy, damp days and unpredictable winter conditions, planning becomes even more critical.
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Overcast Days: Around 60-70% of winter days in the region tend to be cloudy, slowing down drying times for dirt jobs.
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Moist Winds: Unlike summer winds that help dry the soil, winter winds are often damp, further delaying ground readiness.
Stay Ahead of the Cold
Winter doesn’t have to be a slow season if you take the right steps to prepare. By maintaining your equipment, strategically selecting projects, and ensuring your team stays busy, you can keep your construction business running smoothly no matter the weather.
Got more questions about construction planning? Check out profidig.com and subscribe to our channel for more insights. Stay warm and stay productive this winter season!