Contract Surety

Competing: Get Creative

03.03.2023

 

As public funding for infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing plants gets projects off the ground in regions across the country, construction experts say hiring and retaining workers could get harder. Since big projects are likely to offer well paid jobs, smaller contractors are advised to be creative in terms of what they can offer workers.

 

Megaprojects?

Construction Dive reminds us that promised public funding is becoming a reality in the form of big projects: This year, the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, which allocates $39 billion to build and expand semiconductor manufacturing plants, will create thousands of new construction jobs — on top of what Ken Simonson, chief economist for Associated General Contractors of America, called ‘an unusually large concentration of really large projects right now.’” While that’s terrific for the builders who win the mega contracts and subcontracts, what about those tackling smaller or more routine builds—who still need to hire and retain workers? As Simonson puts it: “A remarkable number of multibillion-dollar projects are showing up in many states….In many cases, the owners of these projects, while not insensitive to cost, may have more flexibility and willingness to pay and offer a range of benefits that smaller companies can’t.”

 

On the otherhand, to remain attractive to workers, smaller companies may find success by exercising the kinds of creativity and flexibility that larger companies often cannot. As one construction leader observes: “While smaller firms might not be able to compete when it comes to salaries, they have the advantage of being able to offer workers more personal relationships with owners and senior management and possibly even meaningful ownership shares.” Though money naturally remains important to employees, some local builders are improving their hiring and retention efforts as they reimagine benefits and offer “everything from hot meals and heated bathrooms on jobsites to paid volunteer and educational opportunities that may even extend to workers’ families.”

 

When it comes to attracting and retaining workers, it’s important to be in tune with what matters to them. For example, Keyan Zandy, CEO of Skiles Group, a mid-size general contractor in Dallas points out: “Younger generations of workers are asking more questions about company culture, what types of projects they would be working on and even safety protocols….”  Other advice from building pros about attracting and retaining workers includes:

 

“Sell something bigger than just a project, because typically those industrial projects pay a lot more per hour than your average contractor might pay,” said Greg Sizemore, vice president…for Associated Builders and Contractors….In their efforts to hang onto workers, central Ohio construction firms are offering amenities such as free breakfast and lunch, onsite wellness centers, heated restrooms and changing areas and convenient paved parking…Tradesworkers used to ask just three questions when considering a job: how much it paid per hour, how many hours they would work and what the per diem was. “Now, the whole world’s changed,” he said. “We’ve got new people coming into the industry who are looking… to work for contractors that have a long-term value proposition that meets their needs — things like paid time off, maternity and paternity leave.”

 

Win More?

Colonial Surety is here to help builders of all sizes win more bids and increase profitability—and that helps retain talented hires too, right? Getting an edge might be just a few clicks away. Qualify for The Partnership Account® and you’ll have a surety line of credit—in writing—and a private digital dashboard. Use it to better leverage your financial data and take action accordingly. You’ll always have a snapshot of your single and aggregate limits and current and available bond capacity. Go ahead: update work on hand, increase your aggregate and move that next project forward. Make more possible, starting now.

 

Pre-Qualify and Get Free Scores Here

 

One approved, The Partnership Account®  helps builders be more competitive via:

 

  • Control of bidding and bonding, online and in real time.
    • Powers of attorney to seal and issue their own bid bonds—in minutes.
    • Fast, direct, confidential bid bonds—no middleman.
    • Direct access to performance and payment bonds on a customized dashboard.
    • Real time tracking of bids and work on hand.
    • Immediate access to Colonial’s lead underwriter as new opportunities emerge.
    • A private Owners Dashboard to view surety lines, adjust work and analyze bids.

Learn more and pre-qualify for a Partnership Account® now!

 

Founded in 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed.

 

 

 

 

 

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