We can avoid construction delays if we are aware of the common causes of delays and foresee it and be ready for the appropriate action.
Let us take a look the most common cause of delays:
- Rainy Weather
- Client financial trouble
- Changes to initial design
- Contractor’s poor management skills and poor communication
- Contractor’s lack of manpower
- Labor dispute and disagreement
- Late delivery of materials from supplier
- Restrictive rules and regulations
- Access to power and water
- House owner additional work that is not included in the house plan
- House owner request for modification
It is totally impossible to eliminate construction delays but we can minimize it by proper planning and management. House construction is very complicated because there are many people involved. One of the most difficult tasks is handling different people from different walks of life. Materials may not be delivered on time, subcontractor will not always be sure that there are enough manpower needs on site immediately, mishandling of communication between carpenters, plumbers, electrician and among others.
The following are some simple strategies to minimize house construction delays:
- Monitor the weather and be prepare for the bad weather and make necessary action.
- Make sure that there are proper permits before each phase of the construction.
- Ensure that there is a site access and on-site security to avoid theft of materials and equipment
- Hire only the most experienced workers and subcontractors
- Owner should minimize their change request.
- Make sure to have daily communication with your workers, subcontractors, owner and supplier.
- Monitor all cost including materials and labor costs as well as the time schedule for every phase.
- Schedule daily tasks for the next week
- Ensure that you have safety training program and have plans for emergencies.
- Hire subcontractors that is honest, trusted and trustworthy and with good communication skills to avoid conflicts and disagreement in the future
- Make sure that the client or owner of the house paid on time based on terms of payment
- Contractor should know how to handle money.