Let’s be honest. Printing costs in construction aren’t exactly the first thing that keeps project managers awake at night. But here’s the thing about those seemingly small expenses – they add up fast.
Actually, most construction firms have no clue how much they’re really spending on printing until someone sits down and does the math. The results? Pretty eye-opening.
The Hidden Money Drain Nobody Talks About
Construction companies print everything. Plans, permits, contracts, safety documents, change orders – the list goes on. A mid-sized firm can easily burn through £500-1500 monthly just on printing. That’s before you factor in the time spent dealing with paper jams, running out of ink at the worst possible moment, or hunting down that one document someone printed but can’t find.
The truth is, most offices are still running their printing like it’s 1995. Same old habits, same expensive mistakes.
Start With What You’ve Actually Got
Before making any changes, spend a week tracking what gets printed. Not the exciting stuff, but it’s necessary. You might discover that 40% of what comes out of the printer never gets used. Or that five different people are printing the same set of plans because nobody knows who has the latest version.
This tracking doesn’t need to be complex. A simple log noting what, when, and why works fine.
The Quick Wins That Actually Matter
Here’s where things get interesting. Small changes can deliver surprisingly big savings.
Print Settings Make a Difference
Switch default settings to double-sided and draft quality for internal documents. Sounds basic, but most people never change these settings. Draft quality uses about 50% less ink and looks perfectly fine for most construction documents.
Paper Size Matters More Than You Think
Not everything needs to be A3. Sure, architectural plans do, but daily reports? Probably not. Using A4 when possible can cut paper costs significantly.
Timing Your Purchases
Buying ink and paper in bulk during sales can reduce costs by 20-30%. But here’s the catch – only buy what you’ll use within six months. Ink cartridges don’t age well.
Getting Smart About Equipment
That old printer wheezing in the corner? It’s probably costing more than you realize. Older printers guzzle ink and break down frequently. Modern Konica Minolta printers can be up to 40% more efficient with consumables while offering better reliability.
Leasing versus buying is worth considering too. Lease agreements often include maintenance and supplies, making budgeting much simpler.
Going Digital Where It Makes Sense
Look, nobody’s suggesting construction goes completely paperless. That’s not realistic when you’re dealing with muddy boots and outdoor sites. But some documents don’t need printing at all.
Daily reports can stay digital. Meeting notes too. Use tablets for inspections instead of printed checklists. Small steps, but they add up.
The People Side of Change
This part’s a bit tricky, but changing printing habits requires getting everyone on board. People resist change, especially when it affects their daily routine.
Make it easy. Put up simple reminders near printers about double-sided printing. Share the cost savings with the team – they’re often surprised by the numbers.Measuring Your Success
Track your monthly printing costs after implementing changes. Most companies see 20-30% reductions within three months. The savings often continue growing as new habits stick.
The best part? These aren’t one-time savings. They compound month after month, year after year.
Actually, the construction firms that take this seriously often find the efficiency gains matter more than the cost savings. Less time wrestling with printers means more time on what actually matters – building things.