Construction Directory: News and Articles, Not Just Listings

When this writer started looking at construction directories, he found that several of them were resources with industry news and helpful articles. The same directories might also list suppliers in a conventional manner.

There are also conventional construction directories that focus on listing suppliers under different categories, such as bathroom fittings and project management services.

The Construction Industry

In ordinary usage, construction means civil construction. In this sense, the construction industry undertakes such projects as large buildings (like office blocks and skyscrapers), residences (like single houses and apartment blocks), and infrastructure works (like bridges and highways).

The industry is supported by services like architectural design, civil engineering and project management. Construction projects would also need legal assistance to help them comply with numerous legal formalities, that could differ from state to state or even among local councils.

A construction project involves coordinating numerous things including architectural design, civil engineering, planning and monitoring progress of work, assembling required supplies, hiring skilled and unskilled workers, keeping accounts and records, and complying with regulations of local, state and federal governments.

Only large construction firms would find it worthwhile to engage in-house specialists to attend to all these different areas. Most firms would have to depend on outside consultants. A construction directory, listing suppliers of different products and services under appropriate categories, would come in handy for these firms.

Construction Directories

The structure extracted below from a conventional construction directory indicates the variety of categories.

Administration & Pre-construction: Project Management, Internet Services, Cost Estimation

Inspection Services: United States, Training, Franchises

Architecture: Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Architects By State

International Firms

Builders by Region: United States, International

Masonry: Stone, Brick and Pavers, Concrete Block

Cabinetry: Manufacturers, Custom, Hardware

Materials & Supplies: Tools and Equipment, Importers and Exporters, Manufacturers

. ..

Contractors: Mechanical Contractors, General Contractors, Electrical Contractors

Site Construction: Grading Paving and Excavation, Fences and Gates, Utilities

Conveying Systems: Elevators and Escalators, Components and Accessories, Scaffolds and
Platforms

Software: Construction Accounting Software, Cost Estimation Software, Pre-construction

Doors & Windows: Doors, Hardware, Metal Windows and Doors

Special Construction: Building Automation, Sports Facilities, Portable Buildings

. ..

Industry Information: Directories, Employment, Organizations

Under each of the above categories, suppliers are listed in alphabetical order, with the exception
that sponsors typically come at the top.

(Source: http://www.directoryconstruction.com/ )

Regional Directories

Regional directories like Construction Canada.com that describes itself as Canada's largest online directory offering easy access to a database of construction, home renovation, building, supply, contractors, maintenance, manufacturing and design/ build professionals, help users find suppliers near them. Such directories also promote the businesses of the concerned regions.

Conclusion

We looked at civil construction industry. Construction projects are typically projects that require attending to numerous tasks like architectural design and civil engineering, planning and monitoring, assembling supplies, hiring skilled and unskilled workers, complying with local building regulations, getting the work under way, maintaining satisfactory progress, and so on. A good construction directory, organized by industry-relevant categories, would be an invaluable help to the harried project manager of such projects.