These days, many contractors are faced with managing larger, more complex projects on a regular basis. That means they have even more to keep track of in their already busy schedules. Contractors have to pay attention to budgets, deadlines, collaborators, change orders, progress reports, payroll, safety, compliance requirements and much more. Construction management is challenging, in no small part because the industry is governed by a plethora of regulations.

So what should contractors do to ensure noncompliance issues don’t lead to delays or work stoppage? Viewpoint recently published a white paper about tackling this challenge. Here’s a look at how a streamlined approach will help.

Learn the Compliance Requirements

Regulatory compliance may seem daunting, especially for those new to the construction industry. Step one on the road to managing construction compliance is straightforward, even if it might be time consuming: Learn the regulations that apply to your business.

Common regulations in the construction industry include:

• Contractual agreements between owners, contractors and subcontractors.
• Building codes.
• Insurance and bonding requirements.
• Credit and background checks.
• Wage and union payroll agreements.
• Lien requirements.
• Safety regulations.

Some requirements like safety regulations are fairly easy to learn, since the OSHA standards for the construction industry apply to contractors across the country. Building codes, insurance requirements and bonding requirements can vary by location, though. Make sure you check in with the relevant authorities in your city and state so you know what applies to you.

Reduce Manual Compliance Processes

Once you know the requirements, you need to ensure all relevant people at your organization are aware of them. You also need a reliable system for keeping track of compliance data.

To do those things effectively, you might need to say goodbye to paper. Disseminating compliance information and collecting data via paper often leads to delays, lost information and outdated documents. When you’re dealing with compliance, you need to have easy access to information and make data visible throughout your organization. Doing so not only helps you stay ahead of possible compliance document expirations, it also helps you respond quickly in the event a compliance issue arises.

Benefits of Software Solutions for Construction Compliance

Integrated technology like an ERP for construction can streamline compliance across your organization by giving everyone from the back office to those working in the field access to the real-time information they need. This type of software solution can also include workflows that automatically collect and track compliance documents.

Additionally, many contractors find dedicated compliance software solutions useful. These applications are built into some construction ERP platforms and can integrate with others for ease of use, and they serve as a portal for all things compliance related. Within them, you can manage documents, set up alerts for compliance documents that are expiring soon and even manage the compliance documentation of subcontractors.

The moral of the story is that staying compliant with the plethora of regulations you face in the construction industry requires planning, streamlined processes and access to information. Achieving that takes work, but once you have systems in place to help handle compliance, remaining compliant becomes much more manageable. To learn more about ensuring your organization’s compliance, check out the full “Managing Compliance Is Key to Successful Construction Projects” white paper.