If you’re working as a tradesman or tradeswoman, you’ll already be aware of the importance of quality control. Completing jobs to a high standard will not only help you establish and maintain your professional reputation, but it will also ensure your client or contractor gets the results they want from the beginning.
Many people will find there are a few things they can tweak to improve the quality of their service and further build their reputation as a trustworthy tradesman or tradeswoman. From choosing the most appropriate materials to setting expectations with your contractor before you even pick up a hammer, there are plenty of ways you can enhance the service you’re offering.
Here, we explore a few tips and tricks for improving your workmanship.
Invest in technology
Utilising technology to help manage admin tasks can free up your time and your teams’ allowing you to fully focus on the practical side of things. Being able to spend more time on workmanship will reduce the risk of mistakes occurring and therefore improve the quality of your work.
Technology is commonly used in the construction industry to track time, manage schedules, and simplify payroll tasks.
Use the right materials
To ensure you provide a high-quality service, it’s crucial to choose the most appropriate materials for the job. Start by checking that all the elements incorporated in the structures and buildings meet the quality requirements and specifications for the project.
If you do find you’ve ordered items which are unsuitable for the work you’re carrying out, mark them clearly as “non-compliant” to show they mustn’t be used for this job.
Ensure safety and compliance
It’s vital to ensure any work you carry out is conducted safely and doesn’t pose a risk to anyone while the work is ongoing and after it’s been completed. Ensure you and your team follow any safety instructions provided with the tools and equipment used for your work to reduce the risk of injury.
As an employer, you are legally responsible for assessing the safety risks your employees face while carrying out their duties and must ensure policies and procedures are put in place to mitigate these.
Set expectations
An important step in quality control is to discuss expectations with your client prior to beginning the work. It should be clear what you are able to offer and what your client is expecting, so that you have a point of reference if the client is unhappy with the finished result.
you may also find it helpful to apply this rule to your discussions with suppliers too. For example, when purchasing high quality equipment such as weighing scales from suppliers like RS, make sure you set the the calibre and specifications prior to use..
Audit and test
Every now and then you’ll need to conduct an audit or test to check the quality of the work you’ve carried out. Usually this is done as part of a contractor’s or client’s quality control plan. The purpose of the tests is to ensure any structures or items have been built or mended correctly. If the test is failed, the work will need to be redone to ensure the expected quality standard is achieved.
