Build Me Up: The Rising Trend of Self-Perform Work in Construction

As the construction industry continues to evolve, self-performing work is becoming a popular topic of conversation. The ongoing labor shortage makes it difficult to build up future field leaders, and new technology is needed to make work safer. The flexibility of self-performance for general contractors can create longterm solutions and ultimately benefit the client.

On the latest episode of KA’s Build Me Up podcast, Kraus-Anderson’s Director of Self-Performance Joe Baumann, Executive Vice President Rich Jacobson, and Senior Project Manager Bob Janssen discuss self-perform work and how it is impacting the construction industry.

Developing Future Field Leaders

[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#CC0202″ class=”” size=””16]”We just want to be available … so we don’t let down our customers. We’re just trying to work with and supplement our subcontracting partners.”[/perfectpullquote]

Kraus-Anderson’s Self-Perform team performs saw cutting, selective demolition, and carpentry work on select KA jobsites. When it comes to fast-paced jobsites with quick turnarounds, complimenting self-perform work with KA’s subcontractor partners has proven to be effective as the workforce continues to fluctuate. The Self-Perform team has been able to develop, track, and manage processes in the field. Having a consistent workforce that can work to understand these processes is an effective way to identify future leaders for roles like job site superintendents. Safety is another key priority, and having consistent workers allows time to train on equipment and develop a culture of safety on a jobsite.

Investing in Construction Technology

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As the construction industry continues to evolve and adopt new technology, the workforce is seeing improvements to safety and efficiency. The labor shortage continues to challenge the construction industry, and tools like electric demolition robots can be remote-operated by one trained worker rather than a team performing manual labor. Not only does this technology improve safety, but it allows for longer careers in the field. These innovations are less strenuous on the body and allow field laborers to work further into their careers. Other tools like electric wheelbarrows can carry much more weight and take the burden off of workers.

To learn more about construction industry trends and how self-performance can benefit general contractors, subcontracting partners, and clients, tune into the latest episode of KA’s Build Me Up podcast. You can subscribe to Build Me Up wherever you listen to podcasts.