@fakemoney, construction, like any other business, thrives on efficiency. There are building contractors who have invested heavily in knowledge,skill set, transport and machinery so as to be efficient to sell the construction service. If you are looking at the most efficent way to construct, careful selection of a building contractor for either labour based or full contract gives the best savings.
The pick up investment will be a step forward for you but for a seasoned contractor, he moved forward from the pickup step years ago into other factors for efficiency eg concrete mixers, formwork, skilled labour etc.
Using a hardware shop that already offers transport should be a better alternative for you.
Laxmanbhai contractors, for example, is the most efficient buildings contractor in kenya. He started out as a simple mason and built the Lenana School chapel in the late 1940s.
He continued to increase his efficiency till the current level where he is the best.
http://voicesofkenya.com...i-group-chairman-laxcon
If a developer is interested in maximum efficiency, this is the go to person. From this maximum efficiency, it comes down till the most inexperienced contractor so you can choose in between depending on your budget, expectations etc.
For small construction projects, you can look for super efficient fundis/foremen/labour contractors. Unfortunately, these super efficent foremen/fundis usually rise very fast into the next laxmanbhais so you need to get them before they rise.
Unless someone possesses super legendary management talents, its not possible to achieve any much savings/efficiency in construction if construction is not your every day activity.
As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.