There was a construction industry before COVID-19 and there will be a construction industry after the global pandemic. Jobsites will look different, work practices will be altered and the way business is conducted will adapt to survive. Evolution will come in the form of new onsite work practices and different regulations, such as face masks and social distancing, and adjusting to these new practices will play a critical role in revitalizing the construction industry. However, innovative solutions already exist to help the industry restart and evolve—solutions like prefabricated materials.

Prior to the pandemic, prefabricated materials were desirable on the jobsite to reduce overall project costs, improve jobsite productivity and shorten construction timelines. It’s still beneficial for those reasons, but in a post-pandemic world it can help jumpstart projects that have been paused due to the pandemic, increase jobsite organization and help achieve profitability.

Plan efficiently

Prefab is engineered offsite—50% or more of connections are made at the factory. The manufacturer assembles the components to exacting standards in a controlled environment and delivers the products ready to install. For electrical contractors, prefab wiring solutions are a completely turnkey, comprehensive solution for the entire installation. The manufacturer and an experienced design team review the specific installation, blueprints, and plans and make precise calculations accordingly. Component quality and replicability can be more easily ensured when coming from a controlled environment, and measurements are more reliable. This means the crew doesn’t have to spend time double checking measurements or worrying about miscalculations and mistakes.

Prefab engineering and manufacturing can work in parallel while site permits are being processed. Once permits are in place, the jobsite can begin work faster with the finished delivery.

Now that the country is moving toward reopening, there is a need to make up for lost time. Projects and profitability have stalled for nearly three months, so efficiency will be the name of the game to get back up to speed quickly. More efficient installation is just one way to compensate for lost time and help keep projects on or ahead of schedule.

Increase organization and maintain social distancing

Organization can be overlooked in terms of keeping a jobsite running smoothly and profitably. But consider the time saved with the streamlined shipments and reduced installation requirements of prefab—especially when time is money.

Prefab installation is delivered as a complete order, boxed and palletized per order by room number, area and section. Compared to traditional installations, consolidated shipments increase efficiency and decrease material handling requirements. This alone is advantageous, but when considering new social distancing regulations, the amount of labor on a jobsite must be considered in a post-COVID world.

Cutting down the amount of time it takes for installation allows skilled workers to spend less time on material handling. This frees up skilled employees to work on more technical projects and potentially reduces the number of workers on the job. Reducing the number of workers at the jobsite makes adhering to social distancing much easier.

Conclusion

The world will look very different after COVID-19, but businesses will adapt to the new normal. New regulations will be in place, but there are existing tools that will enable contractors to remain efficient and profitable. The key is to adapt and evolve and find new ways to keep the jobsite efficient, organized and safe.