Running a construction company comes with many challenges. One of the biggest ongoing challenges is managing all the costs. Construction projects come with a range of expenses that need to be budgeted for. This post details some of the main ongoing costs and how to afford them. Materials Most of a construction company’s budget is spent on materials – it can be anywhere from 30% to 70% depending on the type of project. This is the area where focusing on savings is most essential – and there are many ways to do this. Taking the time to shop around for supplies and knowing how to negotiate pricing can help you to save huge amounts of money on materials. Many suppliers offer bulk discounts or off-season discounts, which could be worth considering depending on the size and timing of the project. If you have flexibility to choose between materials, this is always worth considering – for example, the different costs of different types of timber can vary a lot, but it’s important to remember that each timber has its own unique traits, and that certain woods may not always be suitable. Avoiding material waste is also key. It’s important to accurately estimate how much you need so that you haven’t got too much excess materials. Of course, excess materials may be possible to sell or reuse in future projects (in the latter instance, you will need somewhere to store them safely and securely). Labor A significant amount of spending is likely to go into your workforce. On top of the wages and salaries of your workers, you need to factor in costs such as health insurance, retirement plans, overtime pay, worker’s compensation coverage and recruitment costs.  There aren’t many ways that you can feasibly cut the cost of labor. In fact, offering good wages and benefits is often key to attracting the best skilled workers out there and preventing a high turnover of staff. Therefore be prepared to invest heavily into this area. When building a team of employees, consider focusing on workers with core skills. For specialist skills, it is often better to outsource contractors. Electricians, glaziers, plumbers, roofers and crane operators are some of the most commonly outsourced roles. Vehicles There are many types of construction vehicle that you may need to invest in. This includes dump trucks, excavators, bulldozers, loaders and cement mixers.  Construction vehicles can be bought on finances, leased or hired short-term. It’s best to only buy or lease vehicles that you are likely to consistently need from project to project. Many construction companies buy used vehicles, but it is important that you don’t buy vehicles that are too heavily-used as they may require more repairs in the near future.  Vehicles that you own will need to be well maintained and you will need to make sure that you take measures to conserve fuel (such as never leaving the engine running when a machine is not in use).  Equipment Vehicles are the most expensive type of equipment that construction companies require, but there are many other types of equipment to consider too ranging from tools like hand drills to PPE. The individual costs of each of these items of equipment may be relatively cheap, but it can all add up. As with vehicles, you can buy, lease or hire this equipment – and when buying it’s best to focus on tools you consistently need and to choose gently used tools only. Hire specialist tools that are only needed for one-off jobs or hire contractors who can provide these tools for you.  Insurance and bonding There are many risks that construction companies need to consider covering such as employee injuries, third-party injuries, damage to property, construction errors and missed deadlines. Having adequate insurance and bonding in place is often key to not just covering disasters but also securing the trust of clients.  Insurance and bonding costs should be included into project bids. It’s important to shop around when choosing insurers to work with and to regularly reassess what deals are out there and switch when a policy comes to its end. Working with an insurance broker may help you to access cheaper deals but you should factor in broker fees. Conclusion There are many other costs that are involved with running a construction business such as software for admin tasks and marketing fees. However, the above costs tend to be the biggest and are the ones that can have the greatest impact on your profits or losses. Focus on these costs when pricing project bids and when looking for ways to save money.

Tower internals comprise the specialized structures that facilitate mass transfers, reactions and other processes critical to efficient production and operations. Wastewater treatment plants, chemical processors and energy companies are some entities that need tower internals. What are some of the best suppliers for tower internals in the United States, and why should professionals choose them? 1. MACH Engineering MACH Engineering caters to customers needing precisely crafted tower internals for demanding applications. The company’s process engineers design these structures in various styles and include materials ranging from stainless steel to graphite in their decisions. As these experts fabricate distribution methods for liquids and vapors, they consider numerous process particulars, such as whether foaming or fouling may occur. In addition to building new towers for industrial parties, the MACH Engineering team can apply their knowledge to identify the best ways to tweak existing structures to optimize performance.  Those working in the process engineering department understand how to use hands-on experience, thoughtful design processes and a commitment to aligning with client needs to get the best outcomes. Industrial professionals who choose this provider can also expect excellent technical support and customer service throughout the business relationship.  Key Features Specializes in air and water pollution control and has assisted customers throughout North and South America with their mass-transfer product needs Has more than 25 years of experience in the mass-transfer industry and has an established history of providing solutions for people who oversee demanding applications Maintains a head office in Texas while operating affiliated molding plants in the United States, Germany and China, allowing the company to have an extensive reach Applies a comprehensive understanding of industrial needs and standards to create tower internals and uphold processes that guarantee customer satisfaction 2. AMACS Process Tower Internals AMACS Process Tower Internals has offices in Texas and The Netherlands, and its employees have worked with thousands of satisfied customers. Its process and mechanical engineering teams collaborate to create customized and dependable offerings for those requiring new builds or replacements for existing structures. The company also abides by an internal quality system that conforms to ISO 9001:2015 standards. That decision emphasizes that parties can anticipate dependable outcomes driven by each employee’s accountability for getting outstanding results.  AMACS is a vertically integrated manufacturer that produces advanced separation and mass-transfer technologies such as liquid distributors, mesh mist eliminators and feed inlet devices. Industrial professionals requiring products for oil refining, power generation, food and beverage production and other essential applications depend on the process expertise of AMACS employees to uncover the most appropriate possibilities according to their circumstances. Key Features Established more than eight decades ago as a fabricator of basic wire mesh mist eliminators, the organization has expanded to provide a full range of tower internals The company can manufacture custom internals in days, recognizing that such speed is often essential for keeping clients’ operations running smoothly. Maintains two shops that provide 24/7 emergency service for those requiring urgent assistance in overcoming unexpected challenges Provides hardware trailers and lockers to complement new or existing tower internals, ensuring parties always have the recommended quantities of consignment hardware readily accessible at their facilities 3. Knight Material Technologies Knight Material Technologies provides high-efficiency and well-designed tower internals for liquid and gas handling requirements. Many products within the company’s assortment offer superior heat tolerance and corrosion resistance, meaning they withstand harsh environments and the ongoing usage common to many industrial settings. Although the business headquarters is in Ohio, branches exist in Chile and Australia and throughout regions of the United States. This network makes this supplier well-positioned to support clients regardless of where they operate.  Employees follow an internal quality management system to make the products adhere to predetermined specifications discussed with customers. This business also has external relationships with service providers, including those that craft vessels to handle high-purity products or assist clients who need fluid containment and systems for intensive environments. Interested parties can request quotes online to learn more about the possibilities. Key Features The provider’s focus on continuous improvement ensures its processes and prioritizes remain relevant for customer and industrial needs Engineers break down what must occur during each process phase and create accompanying control plans to remain aware of specific goals while developing tower internals. Documented procedures for the installation and inspection of tower internals demonstrate a commitment to high-quality results that include and span beyond production The company sells its products in more than 40 countries, proving clients can continue depending on it if they eventually expand their operations to other markets 4. Mass Transfer Limited (MTL) While doing business from its Texas corporate headquarters, Mass Transfer Limited offers 24-hour service to its industrial clients. Employees recognize that its products directly enable parties to make their operations more sustainable, efficient and reliable with specialized and application-specific technologies. MTL’s business model prioritizes individual needs and investigates the most cost-effective and dependable designs for customers. Workers take a detail-oriented approach to understand and address a situation’s particulars with top-quality engineering and fabrication processes. The company has decades of experience in the refining and petrochemical marketplace. It has developed a strong reputation for working with parties to find the most satisfying innovations to address their current and future requirements. Whether industrial professionals need new products designed from scratch or seek replacements for aging or ineffective assets, MTL’s engineers have the knowledge and experience to provide prompt help.  Key Features The company is an efficient source of replacement parts or custom-designed components, giving professionals the peace of mind that they can reduce costly downtime. Allows clients to schedule the delivery of hardware lockers stocked with all the products needed to maintain tower internals or conduct turnaround projects Utilizes a wide variety of fabrication equipment — such as a CNC plasma table and punch equipment — to meet customers’ time-sensitive needs Creates tower internals from several durable and well-established materials — such as carbon steel and chrome — giving people plenty of choices when addressing their precise requirements 5. GTI Solutions

There’s a shift happening in how developers think about space. Mixed-use developments used to mean a simple mix of homes, shops and maybe a café or two. Now? Things are changing—and fast. Developers are realising that to really get people through the doors and keep them there, you need more than just a place to sleep or shop. You need an experience. The push for smarter design isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about creating places people want to spend their time in. It’s no longer enough to offer a supermarket downstairs and a gym in the basement. There’s a growing demand for places that offer entertainment, interaction, and community feel—all under one roof. The Rise of Leisure-First Zones We’re seeing more developments where the entertainment offering is the centrepiece, rather than a side feature. It makes commercial sense too. More dwell time means more spend—on food, drinks, and yes, even on digital activities. Some developers are also getting creative with their offerings. For example, concepts that borrow from the online space—arcade-style experiences, strategy gaming zones, or social competitive games—are being brought into real-world venues to mimic what’s already popular with younger crowds. In this context, it’s not unusual to see real estate planners referencing trends tied to modern recreational habits. And this is where the online world and physical space blend. With the increasing popularity of remote entertainment, some spaces are taking cues from platforms people already enjoy in their downtime, like non Gamstop casino sites. It’s not unheard of for communal lounges to include smart tech stations where people can plug in and game, or even host events inspired by virtual worlds, including those that mirror experiences of online gaming.  These platforms have incentives for guests like welcome bonuses and secure payment methods to boot. It could prove to be a smart move in attracting tech-savvy visitors who expect more from their surroundings. The New Heartbeat of Developments: Experience-Driven Design Entertainment is now a driving force behind how new developments are designed. Think rooftop cinemas, e-sports lounges, arcade-style social hubs, immersive escape rooms, or rotating food and music pop-ups. These aren’t add-ons—they’re essential parts of the blueprint from day one. This shift isn’t just being pushed by residents or customers—it’s being encouraged by local councils and planners too, especially in major city centres where space is at a premium. Entertainment-focused communal areas keep high streets relevant and breathe life into what might otherwise be cold, cookie-cutter structures. Developers are also leaning into hospitality principles more than ever before. Take something as simple as a bar—once just a tenant in the commercial unit below, now it’s likely being purpose-built with footfall in mind. If you’re designing and constructing a bar within a mixed-use space, making it flow with the rest of the building is crucial—not just from an architectural point of view, but for visitor experience as well. There’s a helpful guide on constructing a bar that covers exactly this, especially relevant for spaces expected to double up as social and community hubs. Why It Works It’s simple: people want connection. Not just a strong Wi-Fi signal, but a reason to come downstairs or across town. That’s where clever design comes into play. Developers are rethinking how people move through space, and why they’d choose one building over another. Imagine finishing work and heading not just to your local for a pint, but to an outdoor screen showing a cult film, or signing up for a VR football tournament without ever leaving the building. These experiences are what get shared on social media, drive footfall and build community buzz. They also make commercial tenants happy—more foot traffic means more business. And let’s not forget the investors. Multi-use sites that include entertainment zones are seeing increased interest from stakeholders, particularly in city areas where competition is fierce. The more time people spend in a development, the more profitable each square foot becomes. What It Means Going Forward As more people work flexibly or remotely, developers need to work harder to pull them in. It’s no longer just about square footage or the number of flats—it’s about what else is happening there. If someone’s choosing between two places to live or work, the one that offers weekend rooftop DJs or midweek film clubs has a clear edge. This trend doesn’t look like it’s slowing down either. While traditional retail continues to struggle in some regions, leisure is booming. Flexible event spaces, pop-up galleries, and social hangouts are filling the gap left by closed chain shops. The smartest developers are planning for this now—making sure their properties aren’t just places people go, but places people stay. In the end, it all comes down to giving people something extra. That “extra” doesn’t have to be massive—it just needs to be memorable. A well-designed bar, a quiet games area, or a bit of weekend entertainment can turn a good development into a destination. And as long as people are willing to go out of their way for a space that offers more, developers will keep designing with experience front and centre.