While being productive in construction might seem like the key to succeeding in the market (and indeed, it does play a crucial part), you always have to check that drive for quicker and better project acquisition and completion with caution and risk management. Construction is a legally dense and risk-filled industry and, as such, you have to best manage your liability at all times. Here are some of the ways you can do just that.
Invest in the protections that you need
When you think of liability, there’s a good chance your mind immediately jumps to insurance and it should. There are various types of construction insurance that you should consider investing in. This includes general liability insurance, insurance for employees against workplace accidents, insurance for your machinery, and more. These financial protections cannot prevent legal liability, but they can make sure that any financial costs where you’re not also at risk of legal action can be managed and don’t risk tanking the entire project.
Don’t take any chances when it comes to the legalities
Legally, construction and real estate are some of the most complex industries that the average entrepreneur can have access to. To that end, you have to make sure that you’re working with a construction law firm that you can rely on to be there for any new contract, any new dispute, or for helping you make sure that you’re compliant with the many regulations that you have to follow. A good construction lawyer should be a frequent point of contact as you work your way up the industry.
Ensure you manage a safe site
While there are different legal liabilities that you have to manage and your lawyer can help you with many of them, you should ensure that a good deal of energy and investment goes into making your construction site safe. From the preparation and provision of PPE for all workers to appropriate signage and site organization to minimise areas of risk, to the ongoing training of your workers, you should make sure that they are aware of risks and the steps that they have to take to mitigate them. Not every workplace accident sees the head of that site as liable if you can prove that you did everything you reasonably could to inform, prepare, and protect your team against those risks.
Meeting your promises
Lastly, you have to consider the construction risk, itself, that is, the risk that a construction project is not going to be completed on time or to the specifications requested. This means looking at different risk factors, such as the financial, environmental, occupation risks, and more, and considering the likelihood that they are going to affect a project. Based on the likelihood, you can invest in some protections against such risks and make sure that stakeholders are kept updated on them at all times.
With the tips above, you can make sure that you’re taking every step to protect yourself, legally and financially, in the world of construction. Having the right experts on hand is crucial to make sure you’re able to navigate those problems you might not quite understand, yet, yourself.
