The construction industry is always changing, and that means we need admin support to keep up with the times. While having an administrative assistant in the office was the way to go, now, with all this digital tech and more people working from home, virtual administrative assistants are the new trend.
Are you considering adding an administrative assistant to your team but unsure whether to hire a traditional in-person full-time employee or an independent contractor working remotely? We can help you break down the costs and understand the benefits of hiring virtual assistants.
At Virtual Construction Assistants, we can help you find qualified and reliable virtual assistants to assist with a wide range of projects, from administrative tasks to data entry, bookkeeping and more—all without the overhead costs of a full-time employee.
Let’s break down the cost of hiring virtual vs. in-person assistants.
Hiring a Construction Assistant | Cost Analysis
There are a few main costs to consider when deciding between a virtual or in-person construction assistant. For some companies, cost won’t be a factor in their decision. But for others, the cost of going virtual can far outweigh the expense associated with hiring an in-person, full time employee.
Payment
When it comes to how much you pay your construction administrative assistant, the biggest difference is in how you pay a virtual vs. an in-person employee. Virtual assistants usually are hired as independent contractors, so their rates can initially seem a big higher when you look at hourly pay.
However, if you look at the expenses you can avoid when hiring a virtual construction assistant, the cost starts to make more sense. You don’t have to account for things like insurance, technology, or other benefits that are often required with a full-time employee, making it overall a lower cost for a virtual assistant.
A virtual assistant is only paid for the hours they work, making it a more cost-effective option compared to hiring full-time in-house staff whose pay remains the same no matter what their workload is.
Onboarding costs
Getting your construction assistant up and running is a key part in making sure they succeed overall in the role. And as with any new employee — virtual or traditional — there are costs associated with it.
Hiring a virtual assistant in the construction industry is usually quick and affordable. Most have experience in construction and need little training to understand how your business works. The main costs are for setting up the required software and making sure your virtual assistant can use the tools and systems correctly. So this could include getting licenses for project management or communication software, but it’s generally a lower cost.
Bringing on a new full-time construction assistant in person can actually be quite costly. New employees usually need to go through a thorough training program to learn about the company’s specific procedures, different saftey practices in the construction industry, and just overall training into how the company operates. The cost of these programs, including materials, can range from $500 to $1,500, depending on how extensive and long the training is.
Remember that training a full-time employee also requires work hours and resources from your other team members, which can lower their usual productivity. Make sure to factor in this “time cost” since it can significantly increase the overall expenses of hiring a new employee.
Cost of office space
The actual workspace is another area where savings with a virtual assistant become obvious for a lot of business owners. Traditional employees in your office require a lot of equipment and space like desks, furniture, and equipment — not to mention the added utility costs that come with having in-person employees.
With a virtual assistant who works remotely, they’ll use their own equipment and space, which can translate into substantial savings, particularly for companies where office space is limited. With their own equipment and their own space in their own home, your overall cost of hiring will be lower.
Benefits
Typically, virtual assistants work as independent contractors on your construction projects. This means that they are responsible for their own health insurance, retirement plans, and any other benefits. For you, this means lower expenses that can help keep your bottom line minimal without sacrificing valuable help.
Hiring a full-time in-person assistant often means offering a comprehensive benefits package to remain competitive and meet any legal requirements. These packages include things like health benefits, retirement plans, and different types of insurance, which can amount to significant monthly or annual expenditures ranging from $500 to $1,500 per month per employee.
How to find a virtual assistant for your construction company
Now that you know the costs associated with hiring an in-person vs. a virtual construction assistant, you can make an informed decision about which one is best for your company.
If you’ve decided hiring a virtual construction assistant is the right choice for you, your next step is hiring a virtual assistant company like VCA to help you. You can skip the time-consuming part of looking through resumes and trust us to find, interview, hire and onboard the perfect virtual construction assistant to fit your needs.
Hiring Virtual Assistants Benefits
There are countless benefits to hiring virtual assistants:
- More cost-efficient – Lower overhead costs and only pay for the work you need completed
- Flexible and scalable – A virtual assistant can scale and grow with your business to meet your needs during peak or slow season.
- Larger talent pool – When you hire a virtual assistant, you can recruit from across the world, not just in your local area.
- Improved customer service – With virtual assistants handling customer inquiries and support tickets, response times can improve, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
- And more!
Get started today with Virtual Construction Assistants!
We’re here to help you with all of your staffing needs. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can find your perfect virtual assistant.
