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How to Start Your Business as a Construction Material Supplier?

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How to Start Your Business as a Construction Material Supplier?

There is no denying that the need for building materials is growing with the increase in the number of constructions due to the developing nation. With many projects in developing and developed countries, starting your business as a construction material supplier is a good idea. The building industry is active throughout the year. 

Therefore, there is always a requirement for construction materials like cement, sand, stones, construction equipment and more. In this business, you can make a fortune! All you need to do is make sure that you plan your business correctly as a construction material supplier.

To help you with this, we will share the step-by-step process of establishing a successful business as a building material supplier. This might not be a new business idea, but it offers high-profit returns. Thus, it has become increasingly popular amongst traders. 

Traders must deal with a wide array of building materials like sand, iron, loose rock, bricks, cement, ladders, and construction equipment like loaders, excavators, bulldozers, graders, backhoes and more. To make the most of it, a trader needs to make a carefully crafted building material business plan. 

How to Start a Construction Material Supplier Business Plan?

If you want to develop a successful business as a building material supplier, here are the steps to follow:

1. Market Research

To start a business, the first step is research. Therefore, you must figure out where to get the construction materials at wholesale rates. Then, you can acquire building materials at cost-effective prices and in bulk. This is where you develop relationships with many distributors. 

After that, it will be easy for you to markup the price and sell them to customers. Also, you can manufacture some products and sell them if that is profitable. However, that is a bit risky because it takes a lot of time for the customers to trust the new entrants in the market, especially regarding construction materials. 

2. Make a List of the Material Suppliers

The equipment and materials for construction projects are sourced from the companies that manufacture them. Therefore, you must list the companies that offer cement, iron, bricks, and other building materials. Also, please make a list of the quantities that they can offer. Start by contacting the companies and suppliers. Then, place an order for the materials. For example, you can ask the competitor how much they plan on buying and where they plan to purchase it. This will make things easy for you.

3. Area Needed to Setup Building Material Business

To run a successful business as a construction material supplier, you need ample space. Therefore, selecting a location where large vehicles like trucks and tractors can be placed easily is best. In addition, you will need these vehicles to move the equipment from one place to another. Thus, you need a spacious location. You can opt for the lease rent, or if you have your land, that is the best option. 

4. Arrange Transportation for the Company’s Goods

This is extremely important. When you must transport construction materials from one place to another, you need proper Transportation like trucks or tractors. You can hire a reputable transportation business in the area or arrange a rental vehicle. A rental car is a cost-effective option in the construction material supplier business.

Also, this business offers you tremendous import and export opportunities. But, first, you must know the trade’s know-how whether you are an experienced building material supplier or new in this business. Then, you can create a perfect building material business plan with the correct information. Only then can you try new business opportunities to expand the business.

5. License Needed to Start New Construction Material Supply Business

Before starting the business, you must get a license from the state’s authority. In addition, industry-based business registration is mandatory for micro, small, and medium business organizations. Registering a business will offer it an identity and is crucial if you apply for a business role.

building materials

Apart from that, you shall also need a trade license and GST registration. Once you get all these licenses for your construction material supplier business, it will be a legal business in the eyes of the law. After that, you can enjoy all the privileges of a legal building material supplier.

6. Figure Out the Finances Needed to Start the Business

Before you calculate the cost, determine the scale of the business. Think about whether you want to start small or large. You shall need an initial investment of between 10-12 lakhs. Still, it is a great business venture. When you have smart strategies, you need to plan them to earn good money.

You don’t have to stock every type of construction material. If you have a tight budget, you can choose a limited stock of materials that are in high demand. On the other hand, if you want to start a building material supplier business on a large scale, you might need an investment of 40 Lakhs for starting. 

7. Get Reliable & Experienced Employees for the Building Material Supply Business

Managing everything in the business material business is not possible for someone alone. Therefore, you shall need someone to hire to assist you with stocking, loading, and transporting materials. You can hire them for specific salaries according to their skills and job profile.

8. Focus on the Marketing of the Building Material Supply Business

Once you establish the venture, the actual game starts. You must spread the word about your business as a construction material supplier. Therefore, you need to promote it. Even the best business ideas cannot guarantee success unless they are promoted. You need to make more and more people aware of it. Therefore, marketing your new venture is critical.

9. Focus on Ensuring Flawless Customer Service

As a construction material supplier, it is not enough to learn about the building materials. To keep your business running smoothly, you must ensure flawless customer service. You can only serve your customers’ needs when you are aware of their feedback. Thus, focus on improving your services accordingly.

Final Thoughts

As you start your business as a building material supplier, the ideal option is to sell the materials at the lowest price to get customers’ attention. You must choose the smart-scale business ideas that will help you to generate revenue when you have established a customer base.

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The Top 10 Types of Building Materials Every Architect Should Know

Did you know? Almost 11,000 new buildings are constructed every day all over the world. Countless building materials are used in every construction. From pavements, skyscrapers, tunnels, bridges, and underwater structures. In this blog, we will talk about the top 10 types of building materials used in the construction industry. Thus, every architect should be aware of them. 

Concrete

Concerning the different types of building materials, concrete is the most used one. It includes cement, water, and fine & coarse aggregates. Chemical admixtures are also used to slow down the setting of concrete. The properties of concrete will depend on the quantity and mix ratio of the concrete ingredients. The usage of concrete has become crucial in the construction sector, where durability and strength are primary factors. Concrete is also used to construct bridges, towers, dams, roads, and buildings.

Cement

When it comes to the types of building materials, Cement is also a crucial one. It is a binding agent for construction materials. Cement is created by mixing different aluminous raw materials, calcareous, siliceous, and crushing the resulting clinkers in a refined powder. Also, another crucial factor about Cement is that it is the most costly ingredient. It comes in a wide array of forms. When you mix it with water, a chemical reaction starts, and the mixture turns into a paste which binds all the materials with it. The properties of Cement will also depend on the chemical composition, the degree of fineness and the manufacturing process. Cement is used in concrete to construct bridges, buildings, dams, plaster work, roads, railways and more.

Admixture

Admixture is one of the optional components of concrete. You can add it to modify the properties of the concrete and enhance its performance. The volume of admixtures you must add to the concrete mix will depend on the requirement. It varies from one site to the other. There are two types of admixtures – the mineral admixture and the chemical admixture.

Mineral Admixture: These are solid admixtures that replace the Cement in a concrete mix. The primarily used mineral admixtures are:

  • Fly ash.
  • Ground granulated blast furnace slag.
  • Rice husk ash.
  • Silica fume and metakaolin.

Chemical Admixtures: These are the liquid admixtures you add to the concrete mix to modify the concrete’s property.

Mortar

Mortar is one of the most-common type of construction material created with fine aggregates and binders. The most common binder in mortar is Cement. However, you can also use lime as a binder. When it comes to the different building materials, make sure that the mortar in the brick masonry is weaker than the bricks. This will ensure that the failure occurs in the mortar that can be easily repaired instead of the bricks. You can use them in plastering, masonry, patching, and repair. 

Steel

You will find three types of steel used in the construction sector.

  • Rebar Steel
  • Chicken wire mesh
  • Structural steel

Rebar Steel: Rebar steel is also known as steel reinforcement. It is a crucial component of modern construction. Rebar steel has higher compressive strength, but it’s weak in tension. Therefore, you must use steel to prevent the tension caused due to bending or lateral loads. Amongst all the metals, steel is the most suitable material for reinforcement because of its near same thermal expansion coefficient. For example, the thermal co-efficient of concrete is 14.5/degree centigrade, and that of steel is 12/per degree centigrade. Because of this steel property, it is much more compatible with concrete and other metals. 

Chicken Wire Mesh: Chicken wire mesh used to construct Ferroconcrete, also known as Ferrocement, is a reinforced concrete structure made up of fine aggregates, Cement, square or hexagonal chicken wire mesh and water.

Structural Steel: Structural steel is an alloy made with manganese and carbon. It is a building block of structural steel like steel buildings, bridges, trusses and more. Since the structural steel is prefabricated at the factories, you can quickly erect it at the site. Thus, the overall construction process becomes easier. The best part is that using structural steel will also reduce the dead weight of the structure.

Bricks

Bricks are rectangular blocks made up of clay or sometimes mud:

  1. You can harden bricks with heat or a chemical process.
  2. The bricks are set with mortar.
  3. The glue holds them together in place and withstands the loads.

Also Check: 10 Factors to Consider Before Choosing Construction Materials Suppliers

At present, bricks are available in various varieties created with fly ash, concrete, calcium silicate, lime, ceramics and more. In addition, concrete bricks are getting more popular in the modern construction industry. 

Stone

Stone is one of the oldest types of building materials available. Construction workers have used stone since ancient times. Mortar and natural rocks make up the stone masonry. The common types of stones are granite, sandstone, marble, laterite, and limestone. Stone masonry is followed in those places that have locally available stones. It is because stone masonry offers a better appearance to the building.

Timber

Timber is one of the oldest types of building materials. However, the use of wood is limited to creating doors, windows, cabinets, concert halls, shelves, interior decoration, and wooden sleepers. Primarily used timber from ash, oak, pine, fir, walnut, cypress, plywood or even redwood. Wood also helps to improve the beauty of the building. The uses of timber include walls, floors, roofing, frames, furniture, and interior decoration. 

Glass 

Construction workers use glass a lot to offer higher transparency and let more light into a building. Thus, there is no doubt that glass is one of the most common types of building materials. However, if you want to take things a bit further, you can choose recyclable glass with higher insulation properties. Many constructions include glass for making windows, doors, floors, non-load bearing walls, translucent bricks, and skylights—all this help to improve the overall appearance of the building. 

Kevlar

Kevlar is stronger than metal body armour. The best part is it has high tensile strength. Thus, it is an asset to construct large buildings. In addition, it has a less rigid composition than steel. Therefore, it can reform the way we think about large load-bearing structures. However, it is still a new material. You can use Kevlar by turning it into sheet material for cladding, roofing, and reinforcing. Banks can use it to protect their bank counters. Also, architects can use it to create reinforced seismic shear walls. 

In Conclusion

When it comes to the different types of building materials in construction, the ones mentioned above are the critical ones. As with all types of building materials in construction, accessibility plays a crucial role. You might find one of two materials not on this list that would be an obvious option in certain parts of the world. Thus, you must know the different materials around you, and you will have the complete resource for construction. 

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How to Choose Construction Materials Suppliers

You can ensure good building construction only when you have excellent quality materials. Therefore, quality construction materials are the key to ensuring a delicate structure. Furthermore, the building materials that you choose will define the overall durability and endurance of a building. Therefore, you must be careful while selecting the construction material suppliers.

The crucial factors determining the suitable materials for construction are stability, aesthetics, maintenance, and the cost of each material. There is a wide array of construction materials available in the market. Therefore, deciding the best possibilities for the various customized requirements in construction can be challenging. This blog will present you with ten crucial factors you need to consider before choosing a construction material supplier.

The Cost of Materials

While choosing various construction materials, you might realize that the rates vary significantly. The thumb rule is to NEVER look for the most affordable products. Consider the product lifespan and utility. When you buy substandard materials, you might reconstruct and restore them. This will lead to higher expenses. Choose the building materials that last for a longer period. To ensure this, you must choose the construction material suppliers trusted by others and rated highly as the best quality materials provider.

Check the Collection of Products

A building material supplier will have a wide array of products and materials, from floors, windows, doors, and roofs. Therefore, the supplier will have all the materials you need under one roof. It will save you from unnecessary delays in sourcing from different sellers. Some products are similar, but they can still serve other purposes. Thus, they could have different prices and quality. A good supplier will help get suitable construction materials instead of limiting them.

Consider the Delivery Logistics

If you are a contractor, you must understand that a slight delay in the project will result in an unhappy customer. Therefore, you must get all the necessary materials quickly enough to prevent delays. If the materials arrive too early, you might need to store them, leading to storage costs. On the other hand, if they arrive late, they cause a delay and mess up the timeline. Therefore, you will want a construction material supplier with a flexible delivery schedule to deliver the construction materials on time. It is an added advantage if the construction material supplier has a fleet of delivery vehicles.

Consider the Sourcing Certification

Every building material supplier must ensure “responsible sourcing”. They must be aware of how building materials are manufactured and by who. As a contractor, you would not want to get involved with a supplier sourcing his building materials from a manufacturer applying dangerous working conditions. Such a supplier will ruin your reputation, make you lose business and lead to lawsuits. Therefore, make sure that the supplier has got a proper sourcing certification.

Prioritize Your Needs

One of the signs of a good construction material supplier is that they ask you about your requirements before trying to sell construction materials. For instance, the supplier should ask about the application if you want a bag of grout. Do you need to fix a crack, or eliminate a structural deficit, or do you want to use it on a new project? You must find a supplier who will not only sell materials but should also educate you on the available options and applications. Some construction material suppliers will go the extra mile and offer workshops to the construction crews.

Look for a Readily Available Stock

Check the construction material supplier with readily available stock at the facilities. The supplier must have a wide array of locations that can ship products when required. The best practice is to avoid the suppliers who promise to get you supplies but don’t have them now.

Certain suppliers keep the costs down because they want to avoid storage costs. Therefore, they would only order building materials when they have a ready-made client. Yes, such a construction material supplier might give you a good deal, and you might think it will help you save a lot of money. However, the chances of higher costs and frustration will be higher.

Consider the Reputation of the Supplier

It is crucial to consider the reputation of the construction materials supplier. Make sure to choose the supplier that has been working in the domain for quite some time. The supplier has to be experienced and well-versed in the working process of the construction sector. Choose companies that strictly follow the building guidelines.

Quality Check & Price

It goes beyond the question that the quality of materials is one of the most crucial factors you must consider. As we mentioned earlier, ensure a thorough check on the materials supplied to ensure that the required standards are met. Also, because so many options are available in the market, it is easy for you to get an idea of the current market price. You can always change to a different supplier if you find the one you chose charges you more than the standard rate.

Availability of Custom Solutions

You can’t deny that not all building projects are the same. There is no “one-size-fits-all” set for construction materials. The same tools will not serve the different customer needs. Therefore, it is better to collaborate with construction material suppliers who would take the time to understand the project’s precise requirements, apart from the nature of the construction operations and projects.

The best construction material suppliers will always prioritize the client’s requirements. They will not only deliver but also recommend building materials according to the project’s needs. To ensure a seamless workflow, you must look for suppliers that can offer expert know-how on mechanical applications and suggest the best practices. The key is providing a construction material supplier to deliver customized products and services.

End-to-End Project Management Support

Selling good quality construction materials is not a one-shot game for the pioneering manufacturers. The manufacturer is critical in ensuring a systematic workflow and seamless supply chain management. Ideally, a construction material supplier should have a dedicated project manager because they will take care of the potential delays and errors in the material building procedure. Otherwise, it can lead to higher costs and repetitive work.

In Conclusion

When it comes to building materials, you cannot afford to take any chances. You must ensure that the materials you use are of the highest quality. A contractor’s biggest challenge is choosing a good build material supplier. With so many suppliers available in the market, it can be challenging to choose a good one. The above tips can help you select the right construction material supplier to meet your requirements and offer quality materials.

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Top 6 Benefits of Using AAC Blocks for Construction

Did you know? AAC blocks for construction are known to be a much better alternative and more sustainable alternative option compared to the traditional ones that include different types of bricks. However, before we start with the benefits, let us briefly explain what AAC blocks are.

What are AAC Blocks?

AAC Blocks are also known as autoclaved aerated concrete blocks. These precast foam concrete building blocks include materials like calcined gypsum, quartz, cement, sand, lime, and water. As the name suggests, the mixture is moulded in blocks and autoclaved under tremendous pressure. Here are the benefits of using the AAC blocks for construction over other clay bricks.

Benefits of using AAC Blocks

1. Higher Fire Resistance

The blocks and materials used are highly fire resistant. For example, the AAC blocks are reported to resist flames for at least 6 hours and up to 1200 Celsius.

2. Simpler and Faster Construction

One of the essential features of the AAC blocks for construction is that they are significantly lighter than other materials and don’t compromise on flexibility and strength. It is said that they are 50X lighter. Thus, it makes construction more efficient and faster.

3. Energy Efficient

With Hydrogen forming in a small pocket during construction, the AAC blocks enhance insulation properties. Therefore, it ensures that the temperature stays warm during the winters and cool during the summer months. This is also why the AAC blocks for construction are used in almost every locale.

4. Earthquake Resistant

It is more robust and tougher than regular building materials. As a result, AAC blocks have higher durability and can handle higher seismic activity and tremors compared to conventional building materials like clay bricks.

5. Availability

One of the most significant drawbacks of clay bricks is their unavailability. AAC blocks for construction are available throughout the seasons; on the other hand, the rains pose a major threat to the creative process of red bricks.

6. Pest Resistance

AAC blocks are pest resistant and can keep common pests like termites and rodents away because they are built with inorganic materials. Also, they are sound and moisture-proof because of the air pores and pockets in the AAC blocks for construction. Therefore, they also excel in keeping out moisture and in sound reduction.

In Conclusion

These are the top 6 benefits of using AAC blocks for construction. These blocks can reduce the construction time, and the different sizes of the blocks help reduce the number of joints in the wall masonry. In addition, the lightweight of the blocks makes them easier and quicker to transport.

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Construction Site Safety Precautions

There is no doubt that construction sites are dangerous places to work. Therefore, construction safety precautions at any given site are of utmost significance. Every construction company must be well-versed in safety measures. Today’s blog will share the top 5 construction site safety precautions that every contractor should be aware of. 

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As we all know, the construction industry is popular for safety hazards and accidents. It goes beyond saying that construction workers are the most prone to accidents. To reduce the number of injuries from accidents, the workers need to wear safety goggles, gloves, knee pads, earmuffs, hard hats, vests, and respirators when required. In addition, the protective gears of the workers must be clean, and they should fit. 

2. Following the Environmental Guidelines

This is another vital construction site safety precaution that every contractor needs to know. Environmental hazards are common in the winter and rainy seasons. Sometimes the blistering sun towering over the site can also cause hazards to the workers. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the preventive measures and then take necessary actions to reduce injuries caused by nature. 

3. The Lifting Precautions

Lifting heavy machinery and equipment is a vital part of the construction work. The construction workers are always ready for the duty calls. However, when it comes to lifting heavy machinery, it is indeed a laborious task. Irrespective of how careful the workers are, there is always room for improvement. Therefore, following proper lifting technique is crucial. Also, make use of innovative construction technology like Exosuits and construction wearables. 

4. Proper Site Training

Every construction worker must get proper safety training before the start of the project. This reduces the chances of rookie mistakes and makes the workers comfortable and confident throughout the site. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the safety protocols strictly. Regarding the construction site safety precautions, every worker must be aware of the potential dangers and prepared for them. 

5. A Proper Risk Management System

With a proper risk management system, it becomes easier to assess the potential risks. Therefore, a construction site should be appropriately evaluated for the potential dangers of implementing proper construction site safety precautions. This includes the appropriate analysis of previous accidents, an emergency response system and a personal fall arrest system for all the mounters. 

In Conclusion

Constructional site safety precautions are paramount, especially in construction work. Thus, it is crucial to analyse as many as possible to ensure errorless construction. However, it is unrealistic to attain such perfection because the safety risk will always be there. Thus, every contractor must be aware of the safety measures and adhere to them. 

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Top 5 Construction Industry Trends to Watch in 2022

After a turbulent period of changing expectations in the last two years, 2022 will be a year of growth for the construction industry. The increase in construction costs and labour shortage has forced the industry to work on competitive new ideas. Also, the stricter regulations have contributed to lesser errors and waste. Since the last year, COVID-19 has changed how the construction industry does business, from scheduling, hiring workers, meeting with clients, and closing projects. Therefore, we have brought you the best five construction industry trends in 2022.

1. Protective Equipment

The construction industry witnessed a rise in machines. For instance, wearable innovations are paving the way for job sites. Work boots connected with Wi-Fi alert others when a person has fallen. You will find material moving “mules” that transport heavy-duty or hazardous materials. There are 3D printers in use that reduce transportation risks. Environmental sensors detect noise, wind, and heat at the construction site. These offer warnings to evacuate the site and move the costly construction in an emergency natural disaster. The other equipment includes construction drones and building information modelling (BIM).

2. Remote Worksites & Mobile Access

When it comes to the construction industry trends in 2022, mobile apps play a pivotal role. Now you can access worksites like never before. These include real-time inspections, onsite accountability, and accurate measurements from a phone camera.

3. Increase in Material Costs

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price index for construction goods increased by 17% in 2021. The innovative living materials might increase the costs even further, even though they will offer more savings to the users in the long run. These innovative materials include:

• 3D Graphene
• Self-Healing Concrete
• Light-generating concrete
• Invisible solar cells

4. Green Building

Speaking about the construction industry trends in 2022, green construction is the way to go. Green construction is the expected standard for renters, homebuyers, and commercial tenants. Moreover, this is one of the most critical aspects of sustainable construction that will be mainstream in the coming years. Green construction reduces the carbon footprint of a building.

5. Modular Construction

Our final construction industry trend in 2022 is the increase in modular construction. This is when a building is constructed offsite using controlled plant conditions before it is transported and assembled in a final location.

In Conclusion

There is no denying the fact that the pandemic has caused an anomaly for statistics in the construction sector. However, things are largely positive. The construction industry trends are changing rapidly. If we can adopt the new practices, leverage new tech, and then invest in new projects, it will help reduce risk, win more contracts and profitability.

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