One of the most difficult problem is the storage of material waiting or fixing. Basically, there are three stages to deal with.

·        Delivery of construction material

·        Storage and protection

·        Issue and transportation

Construction material costs a good deal. Contractor’s finance gets locked up in this material. The Site Engineer must always keep a close watch on the stocks located at the site. The stocks held must be counted at every stage of construction work. The material like cement and steel are generally supplied by the department. The contractor who receives them as and when required is held responsible for keeping the stock in good condition. He must provide sufficient and well protected storage facilities for all the materials. He has to guard the problem of deterioration, outdating, multiple handling etc.

It is necessary to keep record of all the material in order to know the stock position of each material required for construction. Unless proper record of stores is kept, it is not possible to know whether the stock of material is adequate or inadequate or in excess of requirement. Proper recording also helps to understand how the material is used and whether the material is used in proper proportion of the progress of work.

The following are the types of stores:

·        Raw material.

·        Indirect material or general supplies.

·        Components of construction machinery.

·        Tools and equipment.


Purpose of Store-keeping

  •  To keep the purchase department informed, well in advance about the material requirement.

  • Enough time is to be given to the purchase department to procure the required material. It is the duty of the store department of the organisation to assess utilisation of each of the construction items and anticipate the exact period of its requirement in future so as to place the demand for procurement in time.

  • To supply the material for construction work.

  • To issue material against authorised material requisition.

  • To keep record of the material received and its cost.

  • To provide proper protection to material against theft, wastage etc.