Scheduling material deliveries to a construction site
, 2 minute read, by Mashrur Corporation
A site that runs out of material stops, and the labour still has to be paid. A site with too much material loses it to rain, theft and double handling. Good delivery scheduling sits between the two.
Work back from the programme
Start with the construction programme, not the total quantity. For each pour or stage, list what must be on site and by when. Then work back by the supplier's lead time and add a small buffer. The result is a delivery schedule you can hand to the supplier at the start, in place of a phone call the night before each pour.
Different materials, different rhythms
- Cement loses strength in storage, so deliver it close to use, in lots that will be used within weeks.
- Steel keeps well and takes time to cut and bend, so it should arrive ahead of the pour it belongs to.
- Sand and stone are bulky and cheap to hold. Keep a working stock, replenished by regular loads.
- Bricks and blocks can be stacked for long periods but occupy space the site may need.
- Finishing materials are damaged easily. Bring them in late, when a room can be locked.
Know the site's limits
Urban sites in Chattogram and Dhaka often have narrow access, no laydown area and restrictions on when heavy trucks may enter the city. Tell the supplier the largest vehicle that can reach the gate, the hours it may arrive, and where it will unload. A truck turned away at the gate is paid for twice.
Storage rules that prevent waste
- Cement: dry closed store, raised off the floor, away from walls, oldest bags used first.
- Steel: on timber sleepers off the ground, sorted by diameter, covered in the rainy season.
- Sand and stone: on a hard base, in separate heaps, away from site traffic and mud.
- Bricks and blocks: stacked on level ground close to where they will be laid.
Receive properly
Every delivery should be checked against the challan by someone who signs for it: count or weigh, check brand and grade, note shortages on the challan itself. Disputes about quantity are easy to settle at the gate and nearly impossible a month later.
Plan for the monsoon
From roughly June to October, rain slows transport, raises the price of some materials and makes earth roads impassable. Bring forward what can be stored safely, and expect a longer lead time on what cannot.
This is general guidance. Standards, duties and procurement rules change, so confirm current requirements for your project before acting on it.