How To Stop Wasting Money on Travel & Accommodation in Construction

If you run a construction business, you already feel it.

Travel and accommodation costs keep rising, wages are increasing, and margins are tighter than ever. Yet accommodation is still often treated as an unavoidable expense—booked late, poorly planned, and wildly overpriced.

The traditional approach?
Putting teams into expensive hotels, overspending on meals, and accepting it as “part of the job.”

But there is a smarter way to control costs without compromising your workforce’s comfort or performance.

With the right accommodation strategy, you can significantly reduce spend while improving morale, productivity, and retention.

Why Serviced Accommodation Makes Financial Sense for Construction Teams

Hotels are expensive, inflexible, and designed for short stays.
Short-term rentals can be inconsistent and difficult to manage.

Serviced accommodation offers a practical middle ground—built for working teams and longer projects.

Key benefits include:

• Lower nightly rates for extended stays

• More space per person, reducing cost per head

• Fully equipped kitchens, cutting food expenses dramatically

• All-inclusive pricing covering utilities, Wi-Fi, and cleaning

The result? Predictable costs, fewer admin headaches, and better value overall.

Practical Ways to Cut Accommodation Costs (Without Cutting Corners)

1. Plan Ahead to Avoid Premium Pricing

Last-minute bookings almost always cost more—especially during peak construction periods. By planning accommodation early, you secure better locations, better properties, and more favourable rates.

Early booking equals control. Late booking equals compromise.

2. Stop Paying Per Room — Think Per Team

Booking individual hotel rooms is one of the fastest ways to inflate costs. Larger serviced properties allow you to house teams together, lowering the cost per person while providing shared living space.

That means:

• Better value

• Improved team cohesion

• Space to unwind after long shifts

3. Choose Practical Amenities — Not Hotel Extras

You don’t need luxury add-ons that drive up nightly rates. What contractor teams actually need is simple:

• A full kitchen to avoid eating out every night

• Reliable Wi-Fi for work and family contact

• Parking for vans and equipment

Paying for what matters—and nothing you don’t—keeps budgets under control.

4. Secure Long-Term Rates for Long-Term Projects

If your project runs for weeks or months, your accommodation strategy should reflect that. Long-term bookings unlock discounted rates, guarantee availability, and eliminate constant rebooking.

Consistency saves time. Long-term planning saves money.

5. Work With an Accommodation Partner Who Understands Construction

Generic booking platforms aren’t built for contractor needs. They don’t understand site locations, team logistics, or long-term projects.

A specialist accommodation partner negotiates better rates, manages multiple properties, and ensures the accommodation actually works for your team—so you’re not firefighting issues mid-project.

The Bottom Line: Smarter Accommodation Protects Your Profit

Construction is already cost-intensive. Overspending on accommodation only adds unnecessary pressure to your bottom line.

With forward planning, serviced accommodation, and the right partner, you can:

• Reduce travel and accommodation costs

• Improve team comfort and performance

• Simplify logistics across projects

At Thirteen Haus, we specialise in contractor-focused serviced accommodation—providing cost-effective, well-located homes that support your teams and protect your margins.

Looking for a smarter way to house your workforce?
Get in touch and let us take care of it—so you can focus on delivering the job.