Construction projects always look like they should go to plan on paper. But when you actually get involved with them, they never quite pan out how you want them to. There’s always some real-world factor you didn’t account for properly in the build up.
Not to worry: this post is here to help. In it, we take a look at some of the most irritating pitfalls and how you can avoid them. If you can cut out the problems highlighted on this list, then you’ll eliminate the vast majority of issues you’re likely to face.
Delayed Material Delivery
When it comes to running a successful construction project, there’s nothing more annoying than delayed material deliveries. If items don’t show up on site on time, then workers are idle and, in some cases, you have to send people home.
When there are delays of days or weeks, the situation becomes even more serious. In some cases, it can put entire projects in jeopardy.
The trick to solving this problem is to find vendors you can rely on. Don’t necessarily go with the cheapest option. While you might get a better price, you’ll pay for it in the form of delays to project completion and poor labor relations.
Permit Delays
Another major bugbear is permit delays. City authorities can be slow in handing out approvals for your project to go ahead.
The best policy here is to be proactive. Start the process early and perform proper cultural heritage management checks to appease anyone that might oppose the development on archaeological grounds. Provide all the necessary papers and requirements up front so that you’re not scrambling later.
If you’re struggling, always speak to a consultant who understands the area first. They’ll be able to guide you through the process from beginning to end, helping you overcome any hurdles you face, one at a time.
Hot Weather
There isn’t much you can do about the weather, but it can interfere with your construction plans. If temperatures go too high, it can become too hot for workers to get on with their jobs. Simply touching building materials with their bare hands could lead to burns. Employees may also get symptoms of heat stroke, rashes, cramps and exhaustion.
To prevent this, prepare well for hot weather. Offer all workers gloves so that they can safely hand materials in hot weather. Also provide plenty of cold water onside, either by using ice, or installing a refrigerated water dispenser designed for outdoor use.
If you notice any colleagues feeling hot or light headed, immediately bring them into the shade and get them checked out. If you allow heat stroke to develop, it can knock workers out for weeks.
Hitting Something You Didn’t Know Was There
There are times on any building project where you will ask yourself, “what the heck did we just hit?” You’re excavating for some foundations when, all of a sudden, you knock into something you had no idea was there.
In the best case scenario, it’s just a big lump of concrete. In the worst case, it’s archaeological ruins, a water pipe, gas main or electricity cabling.
Ideally, you should know precisely what’s beneath the ground before you start digging. To avoid running into any nasty surprises, always conduct a land survey. If that comes up with no results, scan the ground using tools that allow you to peer beneath the surface, without actually digging it up.
Scheduling Chaos
Working out the order in which you need everything is a nightmare. When to bring in suppliers, hire subcontractors to the site and rent equipment feels like a constant balancing act. It’s never easy.
The trick here is to rely on technology. Where possible, use project management software. Either administer it yourself, or bring someone in who understands how it works. A construction projects manager should be able to bring all elements of the build together seamlessly, without any issues.
Unreliable Workers
Most construction firms don’t want to admit that their workers are unreliable, but it is an issue that plagues the industry. Employees often don’t turn up for their shifts, forcing you to delay elements of the project or hire more expensive temps.
Employees sometimes have bad habits such as fudging their timesheets or doing low-quality work. In some cases, they may even verbally abuse clients, managers and members of the public.
The trick to solving these issues starts with recruitment. Find people with a reliable track record. If that’s not possible, let disgruntled employees go and rehire.
