Those of you who know me have probably heard me speak about the importance of having a mentor. My definition of a mentor might be a little different than the dictionary’s, but it has the same goal. To me, a mentor is a person who has already walked your path, wants you to succeed, and is willing to tell it to you straight.

When it comes to construction, there is no set hiring season. It can fluctuate depending on where you are located, how deep the frost is, and how wet the spring is. But when it is time to dig, pour concrete, or start framing after a long quiet winter, you are going to want to have your team in place.

Regardless of how much you prepare, job-site challenges can still appear at any time. There are many potential causes for problems on a construction site, including weather, unforeseen site conditions, union issues, poor communication, scheduling delays, errors in construction plans, documentation management, unreliable subcontractors, incorrect custom orders, improper contracts, builder mistakes, unexpected costs, and much more.

As a former general contractor, I know the stressful feeling that comes as bid day approaches. You are busy finalizing the numbers to submit to the owner and making sure you have everything covered. In the days leading up to this, you are reviewing and comparing subcontractors’ bids to make sure each proposal has everything it needs when one contractor stops and another picks up. For many contractors, late winter and early spring can be their busiest seasons for estimating projects.

Many contractors have their busy season. In those times, it can be next to impossible to expand into new things. So, when things slow down, as they often do after the holiday season, it may be a good time to research new technology that can help your company this year.