Guidelines are crucial in any construction project, but those familiar with the construction industry will tell you that rules sometimes get broken. When this happens, problems emerge and lead to project delays. 

This blog article will discuss the reasons for construction delays and how to prevent them from happening. This is a must-read for project managers, contractors, subcontractors, and construction workers.

Communication Breakdown

Different individuals with specific roles work together on a construction site. Of course, they must know their responsibilities for the success of the construction project.

Nothing gets done on a construction site if there’s no proper exchange of information. That’s why keeping communication clear and open is very important. 

There must be a communication hierarchy - a kind of top to bottom structure - to relay information. For example, the laborer should ask or receive instruction from his immediate superior. Communication must be open as far as possible to better perform tasks and achieve objectives. 

A worker shouldn’t get to a task without receiving clear instructions from his foreman. If help or further information is needed, he must not hesitate to ask. This is the same way with the foreman to the project manager. Failure to communicate can botch up the task at hand or delay the project.

Subcontractor Issues

Contractors often hire subcontractors to help complete a construction project. But not all the time that the latter contribute to the project. Sometimes subcontractors can pose problems that lead to project delays. No matter how you thoroughly screen them, there’s occasionally that ne’er-do-well that escapes your attention. 

A machine operator who lacks skills may cause injury or fatality that can shut down the construction project. Accidents are common in construction, making it one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Thus, it’s crucial to carefully screen your subcontractors. 

Contact previous employers or any references to make sure you’re hiring the cream of the crop for the job. Ask about the kind of job they do and some details about previous projects. Moreover, don’t hesitate to tell them if there’s something wrong or change your arrangements if something doesn’t meet your standards. 

Labor Scarcity

Never be surprised if you have difficulty finding workers to make your construction team. The construction industry in the United States is experiencing a labor shortage. This sector has over 400,000 unfilled positions due to several factors, such as older workers retiring and most of the younger generation don’t have an interest in construction jobs. 

Perhaps the risk of getting injured or suffering death on the construction site dissuades the younger ones from working in the construction sector. Unhealthy working conditions and seasonal work are also common reasons for labor scarcity in construction. 

Now, if you can’t find enough workers to finish your construction project, you’ll be facing delays. Injury or illness of a few of your workers can also reduce your manpower and lead to failure to complete the job on the deadline. 

Solving this problem isn’t easy. But you can improve your recruitment tactics to attract more workers. Moreover, make sure to raise your workers’ safety assessment and take care of your employees. 

Budget Conflicts

Another reason for delayed construction projects is budget conflicts. If the client doesn’t meet the expected budget for the project, it will surely shut down the job site. Workers won’t go to their jobs anymore because they aren’t receiving enough compensation for their work. 

Budget conflicts are difficult to avoid, but there are steps you can do to minimize their impact. While it’s hard to make predictions, you can always prepare for the unexpected. Moreover, you can use machine learning to take advantage of existing data and detect trends that can lead to budget challenges. 

Environmental Issues

Natural and environmental issues can also cause construction delays. It doesn’t matter how high-tech your construction machinery and equipment are, you still don’t have something to tame Mother Nature.

Rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural calamities can be a problem to your construction project. They can damage your construction machinery and equipment, causing projects to get delayed. 

Although you can’t control natural and environmental changes, you can get weather updates and make informed decisions. You can watch the news, browse the internet for weather updates, or use machine learning for predictions.

The advantage of machine learning is not to be trifled with as it can utilize data and predict outcomes more accurately. 

Takeaways

Construction delays can sometimes be unavoidable, but you can take steps to anticipate them and minimize their impact. First, you have to know the common reasons why construction gets delayed.

Labor scarcity, issues with subcontractors, budget conflicts, communication breakdown, and environmental issues can lead to projects to a halt. You can use technology to overcome these challenges and make informed decisions.