When you or your workers waste time looking for material, tools, or equipment, dollars are flying out the door
If you’re organized, even a small shop can be comfortable. If you’re not, well, then a shop of any size will get crowded.
Have you been in your shop and heard or said things like this?
Has anybody seen the box of washers?
Do you know where the shop-vac is?
What happened to the long, flat-head screwdriver? I was just using it.
If you have, stay tuned, I’ve got some ways to help you move from the contractor’s dreaded “treasure hunt” to an efficient and serviceable shop even Ben Franklin would approve of. Because you know . . . when you or your workers waste time looking for material, tools, or equipment, dollars are flying out the door.
Organized + Systemized
Whether your construction contracting shop is used for storage only or includes some fabrication, it makes sense to have all the items in it organized in a handy and useable way.
Here are three goals to keep in mind as you go about the task of organizing your shop
Providing a safe environment
Managing inventory
Being able to find what you need when you need it AND seeing to it your workers can find what they need – without needing you.
Buy-In to the Organized Shop Project
If you’re a one-man operation, then the only person you need to get to Buy In from is you. And that may be a bit tricky. Remind yourself of the outcome before and during the process. You may even decide to reward yourself with a new tool or some other desired item when the shop is all organized and living in all its glory.
And, if you see you’re going to need some help with this organize-the-shop project, you’ll need to see to it the others working with you understand why this change and the labor involved will make a difference not only for your company but also for them. You might start by reminding them of the third goal, as mentioned above, “Being able to find what you need when you need it AND seeing to it your workers can find what they need – without needing you.” You may also consider a small bonus, or a gift card for dinner out, or a shop-wide we-did-it party at the completion of the organizing venture.
Need more info? Check out this article from Entrepreneur about getting employee buy-in.
Depending on the size of your shop and the number of items in it, this project may take only a long Saturday or a few work days. It may also be such a big project it will need to be divided into several parts and completed in stages. This is where you’ll find the next step to be vital to conquering the messy shop blues.
Organize an Organizing Plan
Unless you’re ready to add more space to your shop by adding on or moving to a larger facility, you need to deal with the square footage you already have.
Start by looking at the layout. Do you have a blueprint or schematic of your shop you can check out? If not, grab your tape measure and get busy.
Having a plan or even a prioritized list saves you the effort of stopping, deciding what’s the next thing to do, and then rebuilding momentum each time you move on to a new task.
Determine the Necessary Components
Begin with or establish new places for your stationary tools. Then consider all your options in these areas
Go vertical with a multitude of shelving and rack options
Think of using overhead ceiling racks
Determine your need for specialized holders (such as a wire spool holder)
Bring in component drawer sets or toolboxes
If you set up your storage system with some empty cubbies, drawers, and shelf space, you’ll be buying yourself some time before re-reorganizing.
The Organizing Principles
Know the difference between a want and a need (You know what I mean.)
Sort by category (the category that makes the most sense to you, for example, by job type or by tool type)
Store like items in the same area or space (for example, all fasteners in one storage area)
Keep larger and heavier items low (and on wheels when that is an option)
Make it easy to get to (only one barrier layer – no drawers inside closed cabinets, for instance)
Store items closest to where they will be used (get multiples of the exact same tool if it will be used in several different places during any given day)
Keep frequently used items most easily accessible (Think “coffee cup,” and you’ll know what I mean.)
Consider developing “ready to go” boxes for items you will transport frequently
Remember – getting rid of something makes room for the future
Now get to it
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could push the do-over button? Well, depending on the size of your shop, you may actually be able to do something pretty close to that. If your shop is small, the first step may very well be akin to pushing the do-over button because you can take advantage of the option by moving everything out of the shop space. Ah, now you can do over by following the steps below before moving items back in.
If your shop is larger or if you need to organize in stages because of time limitations, you can still use the same formula
Set aside the time necessary
Put it on the calendar
Remind others involved
Stick to it
Clean out the entire shop or a designated space in the shop
Sweep and clean
Make any facility repairs necessary (including painting if you choose)
Sort
Group like items together
Arrange items by function or frequency of use
Label what goes where (Skip this step at your own peril.)
Get rid of the junk
Toss it
Donate it
Sell it
Notice how much more space you have (and smile)
Put your material, tools, and equipment in the “smart” places they belong
You probably won’t get everything perfectly right the first time
Tweek it in about a week after you’ve discovered the weak spots
Finally
Rinse and repeat until you have all spaces and areas clean, organized, and functioning well.
Ambitious Construction Contractors look to The Profit Constructors to provide advocacy in dealing with:
Clients and customers
Employees and subcontractors
Vendors and service providers
Governmental entities
Working with The Profit Constructors gives Construction Contractors the means to organize their operations in ways that help them:
Remain informed
Avoid hassles
Reduce risks
Be future-ready
Ready for action? Or want to know more? Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary discovery call. 866-629-7735