Construction companies rely on hundreds of tools to complete their projects quickly and accurately. As such, building your equipment inventory is one of the most significant challenges. This guide takes you through all the must-have equipment when starting a construction business.
What Equipment Do You Need When Starting a Construction Business?
Heavy Machinery
Start with the heavy machinery your construction start-up needs. These pieces of equipment are your biggest assets. They will enable your crew to complete complex projects and open many more business opportunities. Before purchasing anything, you must find an equipment financing option to ensure you get reasonable equipment loans.
You’ll have to rent or buy dozens of heavy equipment types as your business expands.
Start by covering these essentials:
- Backhoes
- Bulldozers
- Compactors
- Cranes
- Dump trucks
- Excavators
- Forklifts
- Loaders
- Mixers
- Pavers
- Pile drivers
- Trenchers
On top of getting this heavy machinery, you must also have the means to transport it to different worksite locations. You need to build a fleet of commercial trucks, vans and trailers. The best trailers for hauling heavy equipment are gooseneck trailers. They reach more than 12 metres long and have payload capacities from 14,000 to 25,000 pounds — or 6,300 to 11,300 kilogrammes.
Heavy machinery also requires you to have licenced operators. Employees can only use these types of equipment if they have a driving licence, and get the necessary accreditation through the Construction Industry Training Board and other national organisations.
Power Tools
For smaller jobs, your construction workers need various power tools. Unlike heavy equipment, employees don’t have to obtain certificates to use power tools. You are responsible for giving them proper training and determining when new hires are ready to use the tools.
These power tools are absolute must-haves for any construction project:
- Drills
- Power saws
- Grinders
- Impact wrenches
- Heat guns
- Oscillating tools
- Wall chasers
- Belt sanders
- Air compressors
- Extension cords
Power tools are affordable and widely available, so you should have no problem building a solid inventory. The challenging part about owning power tools is keeping track of each unit. You must institute a strict inventory management policy to prevent theft, damage and misuse.
Manual Tools
Heavy machinery and power tools require fuel and electricity, but manual tools are as simple as it gets. Construction staff have relied on the same essential hand tools for hundreds of years and that will never change.
These items will always have a place in the construction industry:
- Hammers
- Hand saws
- Screwdrivers
- Chisels
- Files
- Wrenches
- Pry bars
- Axels
- Pliers
- Pincers
- Levels
- Tape measures
- Utility knives
- Putty knives
- 5-gallon buckets
- Ladders
- Stepping stools
- Tool belts
Some of your employees might bring their own manual tools and you should support them. Construction workers are supposed to have different specialities, so they naturally develop unique tool preferences as they hone their skills. Let skilled tradespeople use their tools and save money for other equipment costs.
Allowing construction crews to use their own tools also prevents theft and misuse. Workers are less likely to steal someone else’s personal property than company property. They will also use the tools with greater caution and efficiency if they know the damage costs come from their pockets.
Safety Equipment
Finally, every construction business needs safety equipment. Construction is the UK’s most dangerous industry, causing 30 workplace fatalities in Great Britain from April 2021 to March 2022. Along with thorough training and emergency procedures, you’re required to provide employees with the following pieces of personal protective equipment:
- Hardhats
- Eye protection
- Ear plugs
- Gloves
- Knee pads
- Reflective vests
- N95 particulate masks
- Fire extinguishers
Your business must also always have enough first aid supplies to address any medical emergency that might occur. Many things can go wrong on a construction site, including sprains, fractures, lacerations, burns, electrocutions and chemical exposure illnesses.
How Much Does Construction Equipment Cost?
Estimating how much your heavy machinery, power tools, manual tools and safety equipment will cost is complex. Construction equipment has many fixed and variable expenses. After the initial purchase, you must pay for insurance, loading, unloading, transportation, maintenance, fuel and storage. Your company’s size also greatly affects the overall cost.
With inflation increasing the costs even further, many UK construction organizations have switched to equipment rentals or used machines instead of brand-new ones. Renting relieves you of maintenance costs, while buying used equipment has lower upfront prices and insurance rates.
Build Your Business’s Equipment Inventory
Regardless of whether you choose to buy or rent, investing in the right equipment is vital. This guide includes dozens of essential tools and machines your construction business needs to succeed. Build your inventory one piece of equipment at a time and give your employees the proper training along the way.
