# 5 Things To Think About This Construction Season

- **Type:** Tradie Guide

It's no secret that the construction industry dramatically contributes to New Zealand’s economy. Because of the big role construction plays, you can safely assume that construction work is carried out across the country all year round. In saying that, New Zealand does have a construction season when work ramps up. At Hirepool, we see an increase of tradies wanting to hire building equipment and other [access hires](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/access.md) like cherry pickers and scissor lifts.

As the saying goes, make hay while the sun shines. However, if you don’t prepare for construction season or have in mind the hire equipment you need to get the job done, construction season could be a missed opportunity. In this trade guide, we’ll explore the main considerations regarding construction season. Along the way, we’ll offer tips on how best to prepare, along with advice when it comes to [what gear you should hire or buy for your trade business](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/should-you-hire-or-buy-gear-for-your-trade-business.md) and where a [trade account](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/trade-hub/hirepool-trade-account.md) fits into the picture. Let’s get started.

## What is construction season?

So, what season is best for construction? Essentially, the construction season covers the [warmer months in New Zealand](https://www.newzealand.com/nz/feature/new-zealand-climate-and-weather/). As we know, these months are roughly from the end of November until about the start of March. Many construction companies and contractors choose to plan their big projects over this time, and as such, you could say business booms.

Here are some of things to keep top of mind as you enter construction season.

## 1. New season, new build, big benefits

Winter can bring many delays to the construction site, making it difficult to [plan projects and attain building consent](https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/planning-a-successful-build/scope-and-design/check-if-you-need-consents/). So, when construction season arrives, it’s vital to take the opportunity to be as productive as possible. Essentially, the more work that gets done, the better a name you have for yourself and the more money you make. Check out our blog on [22 tips for tradies](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/22-tips-for-tradies-in-2022.md) with a few other nuggets of advice.

## 2. Say yes to exterior jobs

Given the warmer weather, construction season is a great chance to get back on the on the tools with confidence and with some reassurance that they will stay dry. Warm and summery conditions either make jobs harder or easier depending on the particular task. These include:

- Pouring concrete

  Pouring and placing concrete can be done in any season, it just takes a bit of forward thinking, concrete retardation and perhaps accelerant. It's ideal to pour in early summer before it gets too hot and there are water restrictions. If the truck arrives late and you pour in the heat, keep watering the surface to ensure there is no cracking occurring on your new slab.
- Putting up walls

  Now that the weather is becoming a little more reliable than it was a few months ago, getting framing in early allows you to tick off the next installation tasks leading to faster timelines and more money in your back pocket.
- Installing roofs

  There are pros and cons to getting the roof on this season. The big plus is that you are protecting the project for when the weather decides to turn in March and April. The negative side to this is having to work either at height during the longer sunny days or in tight spaces if you are working on an existing dwelling.
- Erecting fences

  Get them up! The ground may be a bit harder but it's better getting stuck into fencing jobs that don't require you to shovel out sludge, mud and water. Tackle these jobs the smart way with a [post hole borer](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/post-hole-borers.md), just watch out for roots and always clear the hole if you are new to using one.

As well as the warmer climate, there are also more daylight hours during the day. This can mean there is more time to work on the construction safely.

Top tip: Yes, during summer, concrete will set faster. However, you’ve got to try keep it cool to a certain degree to avoid cracks appearing. At Hirepool, we have a wide range of masonry equipment to help you get the job done, including [concrete mixers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-mixers-wheelbarrows.md), [concrete grinders](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-grinders.md), [concrete breakers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md) and [concrete drills](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md).

## 3. Safety is in season

[Safety should always be top priority on the construction site](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/building-and-construction/), and it’s no different during construction season. If anything, construction season offers a range of added safety considerations to take into account. Like any other time of year, wearing the correct personal protective equipment and using caution around earthmoving equipment like an excavator or when dealing with concrete using a concrete breaker or concrete grinder is essential. However, during the warmer months, the conditions may mean you need to change your safety approach, including:

- Allowing more time for regular breaks
- Extra hydration given the heat
- Wear more breathable PPE
- Try to avoid working in roof spaces, as these areas can get very hot

Another big concern when working during construction season is [the effects of dust and dirt](https://www.sitesafe.org.nz/guides--resources/practical-safety-advice/dust/). While the conditions are drier, dust and microscopic debris can circulate easier, causing various respiratory issues. There are many ways to minimise the effects of dust, including:

- Keep surfaces wet
- Clean gear often
- Use an [extraction tool](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/cooling-heating-ventilation/fans.md)
- Be hygienic
- Wear respiratory protection

We at Hirepool have a wide range of personal protective equipment and [consumables](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/consumables.md).

Top tip: As the work site is busier, teams can come under more pressure so it’s also essential to prioritise mental health. Read our guide that covers [mental health on the job site](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/mental-health-on-the-job-site.md) for more advice in this space.

## 4. Put your business first

When we say to put your business first, we don’t mean that you give up your social life to focus solely on the work site. Instead, we mean to think high level and make smart business decisions. Many of these decisions, plans and business tweaks can be made ahead of time in anticipation of construction season.

### Budget

Yes, construction season is a great chance to make money while the conditions and climate are in your favour. However, your expenses can easily spiral out of control if you’re not careful and don’t budget wisely. As with any business, there are many moving parts regarding tradie finances. Staff, materials and equipment are all areas to monitor and keep tabs on going into construction season. Read our guide on [savings for trade businesses](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/savings-for-trade-businesses.md) for more advice on dollars and cents.

### New hires

It doesn’t matter what hire equipment you have or how well you’ve scheduled for construction season. It'll be hard to get ahead if you don’t have good workers. Before the warmers months roll around, it can be a good idea to take the time to ensure you have enough staff and that they have the experience to get work done to a high standard. Summer often attracts more overseas workers to New Zealand in search of trade work, and the end of the school year is a great time to look for a new apprentice. Yes, putting up job ads is good, but it may be a good idea to reach out to a recruitment or temp agency to point you in the right direction.

## 5. Get Hirepool involved

At Hirepool, we make it our mission to help you to work smarter on the construction site. We can assist you in many ways, whether with top-of-the-line hire equipment, including general building equipment or earthmoving gear, or advice on what you need to get the job done.

### Hirepool trade account

Partnering with Hirepool with a Hirepool trade account is how trade businesses across the country are experiencing exclusive benefits when it comes to hire equipment. During construction season, some of these benefits could be the difference between a good season and a great season. Some of the key Hirepool trade account perks include:

- Exclusive trade pricing on all equipment for hire
- Prompt gear delivery to your work site
- Easy monthly invoicing
- Ongoing and priority support
- You don’t need to make a deposit when picking up hire equipment

But don’t just take our word for it. Hear how partnering with Hirepool helped [JMX Construction](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/hirepool-trade-customer-jmx-construction.md) and [Brad Taylor Construction](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/bt-construction-and-hirepool.md) to work smarter. If you want to consider a Hirepool trade account for your trade business, check out our guide that answers the question [how do I create a trade account?](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/help/general/how-do-i-create-a-trade-account.md) (Disclaimer, it’s really simple.)

### Hire the gear you need

One way to ensure you’re always on schedule, are productive and don’t blow your budget during construction season is by hiring some of the needed gear. During busy periods, some of your gear and machinery will be heavily used over a relatively short period. It can make sense to hire instead of buying in some cases, especially when it comes to big-ticket items where this is a large upfront cost, not to mention ongoing storage and maintenance costs. At Hirepool, we have a wide range of hire equipment to help you get the job done on the construction site, including but not limited to:

- [Concrete breakers and drills](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md)
- [Cherry pickers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/access/cherry-pickers-towable.md), [scissor lifts](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/access/scissor-lifts.md) and [knuckle booms](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/access/knuckle-booms.md)
- [Concrete mixers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-mixers-wheelbarrows.md)
- [Excavators and diggers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/earthmoving/excavators-diggers.md)

These are just some of the building equipment that can be of use. Everything we stock at Hirepool is regularly serviced and high quality, so you know you can rely on it. Check out our full selection of what’s available [online](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment.md). Read our gear that explores [should you hire or buy gear for your trade business](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/should-you-hire-or-buy-gear-for-your-trade-business.md) for more considerations.

## Looking for construction gear?

Work ramps up in construction season for a good reason. In saying that, if you don’t approach this time of year correctly, you end up with a stressful and expensive headache. We definitely think that construction season lives up to the hype, but only if you prepare correctly. The warm weather is a fantastic time to get on the tools and get busy, but summer is also a great time to spend with your loved ones. As with anything in life, it’s a bit of a balancing act.

For more tradies tips and comprehensive equipment guides, check out our Hirepool [Trade Hub](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/trade-hub.md). If you’d like to know more about or sign up for a trade account, you can do so [online](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/trade-hub/hirepool-trade-account.md). Otherwise, view our large range of gear for those working in the construction industry online or at [your nearest Hirepool branch](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/branches.md). Other guides that may be of interest include:

- [Best social media channels to grow your trade business](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/best-social-media-channels-to-grow-your-trade-business.md)
- [What to think about when starting your own trade business](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/what-to-think-about-when-starting-your-own-trade-business.md)
- [Advanced gear guide: scissor lifts](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/advanced-gear-guide-scissor-lifts.md)
- [Advanced gear guide: concrete breakers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/the-advanced-gear-guide-concrete-breakers.md)
- [Top tips for quoting a job correctly](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/top-tips-for-quoting-a-job-correctly.md)

Source: https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/5-things-to-think-about-this-construction-season