5 Main Causes of Construction Delays and How to Deal With Them

Every project manager should strive to deliver a project in the time that it was planned. Delays are not only frustrating, but often come with additional costs, too. Unfortunately, when it comes to large-scale projects, delays are still very common. Here are 5 of the main causes of construction delays and a few tips on how to deal with them:

1. Managing delays and blockers

There are two types of problems that occur during a construction project: delays and blockers. Delays usually happen when things don‎'t go according to plan. All construction projects should have an exact time period and deadline for the various small task that leads to a finished project. Any deviation from that plan is called a delay. A blocker is a task that needs to be completed before another one can be undertaken. A simple example would be that you can't start plastering the walls before they have been constructed. The best way to deal with these kinds of problems is careful planning. The more detailed your initial construction plan is, the less likely you will be to encounter such unexpected delays. A contingency plan is a good way to deal with blockers. Try to identify as many blockers as possible and have plans in place for how to deal with them if delays occur.

2. Bad weather

Poor weather conditions are a common occurrence and one of the main reasons for construction delays. While you can't control the weather, there are ways to mitigate the damage and prevent some of the delays. The first thing is to plan ahead and add some extra time to your project depending on the average expectancy of bad weather in your region. If the conditions are not suited for outside construction, you should have the workforce do some indoor work. The work won't be as effective as the one that was planned, but at least things will move along. Another good way to avoid delays is to use reliable quick set concrete during poor weather conditions. Technology has come a long way and the use of additives makes such products convenient for use even during periods of cold weather.

3.  Unrealistic expectations

The construction industry is famous for delays mostly due to taking on an unrealistically high number of projects that just can't be finished in the set amount of time. Because of the need to raise profits, construction companies sometimes overestimate themselves and end up actually losing more than they gain because of delays. It's important to know your limits and only take on projects that you can finish in the time that you promised. In a market full of competitors who are famous for delays, you can stand out as a reliable company that gets the job done. This kind of reputation will give you an edge over the competition and easy entry to the more desirable high-end projects.

4. Poorly planned budgets

A construction project has a lot of interconnected parts and processes that work together. It's very important to define all those elements and know exactly how much they cost. The budget needs to be defined before the work starts, because insufficient funds can lead to huge delays if not addressed immediately. Always make sure that you have enough money for the next batch of required supplies as well as the monthly wages for the crew. When planning your future spending, always include a contingency budget. Because of surprises that can occur when work starts, it's impossible to plan everything ahead, and some extra money will always come in handy.

5. A tired workforce

Construction work involves hard physical labor, and it is important to remember that the people working are human beings with limitations when it comes to endurance and strength. Forcing people to work overtime in order to get the job done faster usually has the opposite effect, as a well-rested and happy workforce will always get things done faster and with fewer mistakes. Therefore, a well-organized construction project should include regular resting periods for employees as well as enough food and fresh water available nearby in order to keep the people healthy and productive.

Delays are seen as a common occurrence during a construction project, but they don't have to be. Careful planning and execution are really all that is required for a construction project to meet its set deadline.