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Conflict resolution is a critical skill for contractors

Contractors

Conflict resolution is a critical skill for contractors

Specialty trades and GCs have trouble seeing eye to eye, according to a new Dodge report.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | October 1, 2024
Conflict resolution is a critical skill for contractors Image by Malachi Witt from Pixabay

Image by Malachi Witt from Pixabay

Contractors interact with other companies seventeen times a day on average, and nearly half of those interactions (eight) involve conflicts, according to a report by Dodge Construction Network and Dusty Robotics.

The study suggests that specialty trade contractors, in particular, rarely experience good resolution from conflicts. Only 38% believe that everyone involved understands what is being communicated, and just 48% find that everyone agrees on next steps and future actions.

Improving communication among contractors can improve project performance, the report says. Better tools could make a difference, as lack of information is a persistent frustration. Only 11% of field personnel report always having access to the information they need about what and where to build.

Currently, 90% of contractors use manual means like chalk lines for layout, but many are open to a better solution. While automated layout is still an emerging technology, used by only 4% currently, nearly six times as many (34%) would consider using this technology in the future.

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