Are you a small contractor looking to maximize your profits and reduce expenses for your business? Think beyond cutting material and labor costs. Managing a construction fleet can be an expensive endeavor, but you can do it effectively.
According to research, cost-cutting strategies can result in an average fleet savings of 15-20%. That’s a substantial amount you can reinvest into your business.
We will provide valuable tips and insights specifically tailored for small contractors to save money on their construction fleet. These practical strategies will help you cut costs without sacrificing productivity and quality. Prepare to elevate your fleet management and see your savings soar with these savvy strategies.
Table of Contents
- What is construction fleet management?
- Opt for the right fleet size
- Ensure safety with driver training
- Invest in used cargo vans
- Optimize maintenance
- Prioritize fuel efficiency
- Use of Enhanced Security and Safety Features
- Opt for Comprehensive Monitoring and Reporting
- Efficient Operations and Mission Management
- Comprehensive Driver Authentication and Compliance
- The bottom line
What is construction fleet management?
An entire fleet management system actions to bring about the best and most out of the fleet operations to keep up an optimal and efficient outcome. The fleet management solution tools and the cloud-based platform interprets these data and produces valuable and sensitive information regarding the fleet.
At release, these real-time updates are our primary concern for any fleet manager in order to keep track of the activities happening in the field. Fleet route enables the user to set alerts and notifications where the real-time alerts the user will always be vigilant and aware of any circumstances that may come up.
These alerts show up on the dashboard as and when the set events are violated. Flittered provides a wide range of alert settings that can either be set with her twice or GroupWise, followed by filling in the conditions to be satisfied.
Users can also send business cards in order to restrain the free concept alert reception and can choose the channel through which they wish to receive the alerts. Bluetooth comprises of an exclusive alert screen where all the alerts generated are displayed along with the detailed ripples.
Opt for the right fleet size
It is crucial to select the appropriate fleet size. Do not go overboard and purchase more vehicles than you require. Estimate the number of vehicles needed to complete your projects according to the current size of your business.
This way, you can save money on the purchase, maintenance, and insurance of additional vehicles. Remember, the key here is to balance meeting project demands and keeping your fleet lean.
Also Read: Different Modes of Tranportation
Ensure safety with driver training
Driver training is an absolute must. Invest in robust training programs to ensure your drivers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the roads safely in the first place.
It reduces the risk of accidents and helps you avoid costly repairs, medical bills, and insurance claims for your construction business. Safety should be your priority on-site and off-site.
Invest in used cargo vans
Cargo vans can be a huge investment, but you can act wisely to save up on vehicle costs. Used cargo vans can be a more cost-effective alternative to brand-new vehicles. They may have a few miles on them, but with proper maintenance and thorough inspections, you can get dependable wheels for a reasonable price.
You can settle for used ones without second thoughts because these vehicles will not affect the quality of your projects.
Also Read: Mistakes to Avoid When Transporting Construction Equipment and Goods
Optimize maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your fleet in tip-top shape and optimize operational expenses. But this does not mean you have to go all-out with extravagant repairs.
Develop a proactive maintenance schedule, conduct routine inspections, and address issues before they snowball into costly disasters. Consider preventive checks for your vehicles because a little maintenance now can save you a lot of money later.
Prioritize fuel efficiency
Fuel costs can eat up a significant portion of your budget. So why not make every drop matter? Encourage drivers to practice fuel-saving habits such as maintaining consistent speeds, reducing idle time, choosing the best routes, and avoiding unnecessary detours.
Consider purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles. Saving money on fuel means having more money in your pocket and higher profits for your construction business.
Use of Enhanced Security and Safety Features
With the black box installed in the car, you’ll receive an immediate alert if the vehicle is tampered with. In case of theft, the operations center activates the engine block and coordinates the immediate recovery of the vehicle with police assistance. In the event of an accident there must be automatic alerts the emergency services. The driver can must also be able to send a distress call by simply pressing the SOS button.
Opt for Comprehensive Monitoring and Reporting
The mileage monitoring function allows you to keep track of the distance your vehicles have traveled and in what areas they are used. The stops report checks if the vehicle is stationary for too long with the engine running, which affects business costs. With just one click, the maintenance calendar schedules periodic servicing based on kilometers traveled. Detection of vehicle telemetry data enables the automatic generation of real-time reports on faults and anomalies.
Efficient Operations and Mission Management
The missions management module allows you to receive alerts if deliveries are behind or ahead of the scheduled times. In the event that a vehicle is needed urgently, the platform locates the nearest available one and automatically calculates the distance to the intervention point, taking into account current road traffic conditions.
Comprehensive Driver Authentication and Compliance
With onboard driver authentication, you have easy access to data regarding driving hours, stops, mileage covered, and working hours. You can also ensure that speed limits are adhered to, seatbelts are used, and that company regulations and the Highway Code are respected.
The bottom line
You now have a better understanding of how to save money on your construction fleet. Remember that it all comes down to making wise decisions from the outset and economizing with factors like fuel efficiency and preventive maintenance. By implementing these strategies, you will reduce costs while increasing profits for your business in the long run.
