The construction industry is a highly profitable sector to establish a business venture. You might be considering a construction company startup if you have some experience with the construction trades.
Many types of equipment and machinery are required to start a construction company, and much of it is extremely expensive. Because you might not be able to afford every piece of equipment when you first start your company, you might wonder what the most needed pieces of machinery are.
Purchase or Rent
There are many types of construction, and the pieces of equipment you need will be different from what another company needs. Assess your work processes and decide what equipment is most important to your business. If you purchase the equipment you need the most, you can rent the pieces of machinery that you only need to use every once in a while.
The following pieces of equipment are some of the first types of machinery you should consider purchasing for your construction company.
Forklifts
Construction companies move a lot of materials around. A forklift can save you time and money when loading, unloading, and moving supplies. In terms of labor costs, your forklift should pay for itself. Using a forklift to move heavy materials is safer, and you won’t be able to move some types of materials without a forklift.
There are several different types of forklifts, and you can also purchase extra attachments to get the most use out of your forklift. Forklift fork extensions may be required for heavy loads or special materials. You can also get forklift trailer hitches and movers to make it easy to move equipment in tight spaces with your forklift.
Always choose high-quality forklift extensions. Cheaper alternatives don’t hold up to normal wear and tear in your shop, and you’ll have to replace them when they get bent or damaged.
A set of durable forklift extensions made of quality, strength-tested steel will last longer and fit your forklift better. In the long run, this will save you even more money and make your workplace safer. Consider the type and weight of the materials you are moving, and ensure your equipment is rated for the job.
Excavators
There are many types of excavators, and you can find one at most construction sites. Excavators are small, medium, and large for different applications. Some popular excavators include crawler, wheeled, long-reach, and skid, steer excavators.
Crawler Excavators
For heavy-duty construction jobs, crawler excavators operate on tracks and lift heavy amounts of dirt and debris. They are also known as compact excavators and are suitable for working on uneven terrain and large hillsides.
Wheeled Excavators
Wheeled excavators are like crawlers, but instead of tracks, they have wheels, which makes them faster than crawler excavators. They don’t perform as well on uneven terrain, however.
Long Reach Excavators
When your job requires reaching long distances, a long-reach excavator can extend your equipment’s reach to about 100 feet. Unfortunately, their long reach makes them unusable in tight spaces.
Skid Steer Excavators
Skid steer excavators are useful in small residential applications, like cleaning job sites, removing debris, and prepping landscaping. Skid steers have a different orientation than other excavators, which makes them easier to use in tight spaces.
Dump Trucks
Like most construction equipment, there are several types of dump trucks to choose from, and you will need to purchase the one that is most useful for the kind of work your company will perform.
To choose a dump truck, consider the body style and the capacity of the dump truck. You also need to consider what types of material you will be hauling.
While all dump trucks are made of metal, you can choose a lighter metal for increased fuel efficiency. If you select a heavier-duty metal, your body will hold up longer. Choose from three body styles of dump trucks:
- Rigid side dump body, which has double panels for extra durability,
- Drop-side dump body, which is a more lightweight dump body that dumps on the side,
- Heavy drop-side dump body, which has a greater hauling capacity.
Consider a dump trailer instead of a dump truck. Dump trailers are more versatile than dump trucks, and if you already have a vehicle that will haul a dump trailer, you can save yourself money.
Start Small and Grow Big
A successful construction company will need many different types of machinery, but you don’t need to get everything all at once. Instead, start small, and let your machinery fleet grow with your company.
When you choose high-quality machines, accessories, and attachments, you won’t have to worry about equipment breakdowns and failures. Instead, it’s better to spend your money on a few pieces of quality equipment that will last you a long time.