Finding construction workers’ accommodation means considering various different aspects about your team and their needs.
Employee accommodation is often a careful balance of business needs and the comfort of your team, and that’s never more true than when it comes to finding temporary accommodation for construction workers.
These team members are travelling for you to share their skills, and taking part in physical work, so the needs of their accommodation may be slightly different from usual. In this guide, we’ll cover the key considerations for construction workers’ accommodation, including how to make sure your workers’ well-being and comfort are being taken care of.
Construction workers' accommodation is just that — temporary contractor accommodation for those in the construction industry. Traditionally, this would be basic accommodation offered on-site. Modular apartment construction would be carried out, building temporary accommodation for construction workers specifically for the project duration. But with increasing understanding of the importance of work-life balance, as well as general expectation for modern comforts, you should consider alternatives for construction workers’ accommodation so they no longer need to stay on-site 24/7.
Construction workers’ accommodation needs to be a space where colleagues can relax and fully re-energise for the next day of physical labour. Failing to offer suitable accommodation and facilities can directly contradict the duty of care you have to your team, as well as put you at risk of not complying with health and safety when it comes to welfare. With the UK construction workforce expected to grow by almost 3 million by 2029, you should get a suitable policy in place as part of your travel management workflows for booking construction workers’ accommodation if these team members are key contributors to your business.
These days, there are plenty of accommodation options available, covering everything from hotels, becoming more common due to their convenience and amenities, to rental homes. Tripeden.com for Business lets you search millions of properties, so you can find the construction rental that suits your needs and your team.
The ideal accommodation solution for you will depend on several factors, which we’ll touch on below, but you should also consider the following for finding the sort of accommodation that can meet your team’s needs.
Construction requires team members to use heavy machinery and work on dusty sites, and this can mean they’ll bring more dust, sand, or dirt than a standard guest into their accommodation, such as on their work boots. So, make sure the rules of each accommodation aren’t against being used as a construction rental. If there is no specific rule, it’s still worth reaching out to management directly.
Talk to others in construction about where they usually choose to stay. Their chosen accommodation might prefer or specialise in longer-term stays for construction workers and their needs.
If you opt for an accommodation option that comes with extra charges, for example, a restaurant to eat on site (and you know your team will be reliant on it), then make sure you’ve planned ahead for these expenses.
Business travel payment methods include corporate credit cards and pre-paid debit cards to ensure your team has everything they need to make the most of their accommodation. If this is an extra expense your budget can’t cover, then a rented house with an equipped kitchen may be the most cost-effective choice.
Making sure you find the correct construction rental for your team will depend on several factors, and while you may be looking for the perfect balance, sometimes a compromise is required. Here are key things to consider:
How many people need accommodation? If it’s less than a dozen, a hotel may fit your budget, but for larger teams, hired houses or shared apartments may make more sense. With Tripeden.com for Business, you can book for up to 30 people at a time, so it’s easy to sort accommodation for everyone in just a few clicks.
As mentioned, you want a location that isn’t directly on-site, but remains in easy reach. Research your chosen neighbourhood and make sure it has the amenities your team may need. It’s worth noting that ethnic minority construction workers are more likely to live in a construction rental as part of a project, so make sure you choose an area that is safe for people from diverse backgrounds.
Construction work is hard work. Make sure your accommodation has everything your team needs to relax, but also clean up after each day. Construction work requires contact with hazardous substances, including cement, so sufficient cleaning facilities, like a shower, bath and washing machine, should be provided.
How long is your project? If it’s just a few days, then a hotel may be ideal, providing a comfortable place to sleep each night. For longer stays, though, you’ll want to consider things like food preparation, laundry, and a preference for more generous floor space.
Depending on how long your team will be staying, construction workers’ accommodation may be more budget-friendly if you consider a rented house rather than a hotel. This will also provide teams with more home comforts.
Sometimes projects get delayed or postponed without warning. Check if your chosen accommodation has flexibility on dates or cancellation policies.
If your team is likely to bring some of their equipment home, such as their valuable work boots or other kit, make sure they’ll be kept safe. Lost property can cause delays in your overall project.
Does your business have a focus on being eco-friendly? If so, look for accommodation that matches this ethos.
Budgeting for a construction rental can be rather more complicated than planning a standard corporate business trip. You’ll likely be seeking a construction rental for a team of people, and for a longer duration than just a few days. Add to this the importance of location and facilities, and it can be easy to go over budget. Here are some things to consider to keep costs in line while also making sure your team is catered for:
Contractors may come and go, but try to avoid booking accommodation for them on a case-by-case basis. Booking for the whole team means options like rented shared houses become a much more viable, and cost-efficient choice.
If you have a team of six with three more heading to the project a week later, it might still prove to be more affordable to rent a nine-bed house for two weeks than a six-bed house and three hotel rooms over a fortnight.
The rules for booking a construction rental are the same as any accommodation booking on this front — the earlier you book, the better. You might also get better rates for being timely, especially for longer stays. Tripeden.com for business lists over 3 million properties for you to choose from.
When it comes to construction rental, it may be easy for businesses to get caught up with the expenses and keep costs down. Nonetheless, it’s vital that you keep comfort in mind, as it may make the difference between construction workers fulfilling their contracts and not.
With 46% of people reporting increased stress when faced with frequent work travel, you’ll want to choose a location for your temporary workers that doesn’t require them to travel too far to site. Similarly, you’ll want them to be far enough from the workplace that they can decompress after each day.
You should also make sure the choices you make are fair and impartial. For example, don’t rent a shared flat for the junior team members and a personal hotel room for seniors. Accommodation discrepancies like this can quickly breed workplace tensions.
Mental health is a key consideration in this industry. With many construction workers citing loneliness as an issue they face at work, you may want to choose accommodation that emphasises community. This could mean renting out a serviced apartment that allows each worker to have their own room but share communal spaces.
Tripeden.com for business is a free, easy-to-use corporate accommodation booking platform. From savings and rewards to endless choice (3 million+ properties), we make it easy for you to find your ideal construction rental. And with airlines and car rentals also listed on our site, you can have every aspect of your travel organised easily.
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