Construction work is a complex and challenging field that requires skill, precision, and attention to detail. However, even the most experienced and professional builders can make mistakes that compromise the quality, safety, and efficiency of their projects. To avoid costly and potentially dangerous errors, here are some common mistakes that you should avoid in construction work.
Poor planning can lead to delays, budget overruns, design flaws, and legal issues. Before you start any construction work, you should have a clear and realistic scope, schedule, budget, and contract. You should also conduct a thorough site analysis, obtain all the necessary permits and approvals, and coordinate with your clients, contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders. Planning well can help you avoid surprises, conflicts, and rework.
During the planning phase, it is critical to identify shortages of materials supply. Due to several reasons, some materials require a long lead time to be delivered on-site on time. Either you order the material with enough anticipation or request a product change. Being aware of these materials shortages is essential to avoid project delays.
BoQ should be matched with Drawings & drawings should be proper coordinate with all involved department like civil, mechanical, electrical etc. Material delivery & vendor mobilization should be in proper sequence. This small failure will make big gap in milestone.
Most importantly… not collaborating with your workforce. Often times, PM and CM forget about the fact that the workforce probably knows more than they do about the SOW. Always collaborate with your workforce prior to beginning construction to determine obstacles the team will encounter prior that were missed by engineering and management. My crews have helped me avoid countless hours and change orders by pre-fielding jobs and pointing out complications missed by engineering and myself.
If you plan poorly and document poorly, you will pay for it during the implementation. It is up to you to choose when you spend the effort. Spending it on the front end of planning sets you apart.
the first step probably would be a work and construction schedule in form of CPM, PERT or any other workable activity versus time schedule to be followed-up by experienced site manager or engineer.
Codes and standards are the rules and regulations that govern the quality, safety, and performance of construction work. Ignoring them can result in fines, penalties, lawsuits, and even injuries or deaths. You should always follow the codes and standards that apply to your project, such as building codes, fire codes, electrical codes, plumbing codes, and environmental codes. You should also keep up to date with any changes or updates to the codes and standards, and consult with experts if you have any doubts or questions.
Codes and standards are confusing enough if you are not proactive on this it can doom the project. And this may not show up until final inspections when going for the certificate of occupancy. This is not just codes that will effect you but also local ordinances can also be a large problem any big project should have a good code consultant but even on small jobs the architects, engineers and the construction manager need to be fluent in these codes and ordinances.
Ignoring codes and standards is not an acceptable course of action, as they establish the necessary guidelines and criteria for the design, construction, and operations of buildings. Seeking guidance from a knowledgeable consultant can help in understanding and correctly interpreting these codes and standards.
Leveraging prior project lessons learned can provide a starting point for a pick list to evaluate potential quality risks during the life of the project. The Trick is to tie the risk matrix to the Schedule plan to use during short interval schedule sessions to identify the risks and avoid letting them happen / monitor to catch them early if they do happen. Be proactive / not reactive.
Using low-quality materials can compromise the durability, functionality, and aesthetics of your construction work. Low-quality materials can also cause defects, failures, and hazards that can affect your reputation and liability. You should always use high-quality materials that meet the specifications and requirements of your project, and that are suitable for the conditions and environment of your site. You should also inspect and test your materials before and during use, and store and handle them properly to prevent damage or deterioration.
Quality materials are the backbone of any successful construction project. Using subpar materials can lead to durability issues, project delays, and even safety hazards. To avoid these pitfalls, it's essential to prioritize quality from the very start. Some key steps to keep in mind: - Choose reputable suppliers with a proven track record. - Test and inspect materials rigorously, both upon delivery and throughout the project. - Maintain meticulous documentation of specifications and testing results. - Implement a solid quality control plan and conduct regular inspections. - Foster clear communication among all project stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Cutting corners can mean skipping or reducing important steps, processes, or procedures in your construction work. This can save you time and money in the short term, but it can also create problems and risks in the long term. Cutting corners can affect the quality, safety, and compliance of your construction work, and expose you to legal or ethical issues. You should always follow the best practices and standards of your profession, and ensure that your work meets the expectations and satisfaction of your clients.
I’m currently involved in a dig-up to repair sewer laterals due to unrealistic timelines placed on construction completion. As a result, crews did not properly expose every conflict and damaged several sewer laterals. Compromising timeline constraints vs doing the job properly results in a net loss at the end of the day.
Cutting corners in construction not only compromises the integrity and safety of a project but can also lead to more significant costs and delays in the long run. One innovative approach to prevent this is the adoption of 'Predictive Analysis' in project management. By using predictive analytics, we can forecast potential issues that might tempt teams to cut corners, such as material shortages or scheduling conflicts. This foresight allows us to plan alternatives proactively, rather than resorting to shortcuts under pressure. Another practical strategy is implementing a 'Quality Incentive Program'. Rather than focusing solely on meeting deadlines, this program also rewards teams for achieving quality benchmarks.
This again comes into the venue of understanding risks and their tradeoffs. A short cut may indeed help the project in the moment but have a huge cost later due to unforeseen consequences. This is an eyes wide open issue.
Simple is another persons life worth the time and money it may have saved and yet could possibly fail in the future. Which then in all reality it costs you even more money more time along with the possibility of someone's loved one and so much more. You dont think it could happen to you until it does, no one is invincible.
Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, errors, conflicts, and disputes in your construction work. Communication is essential for ensuring that everyone involved in your project is on the same page, and that the information, instructions, and feedback are clear, accurate, and timely. You should communicate effectively with your clients, contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders, using the appropriate channels, tools, and methods. You should also document and record your communication, and resolve any issues or concerns as soon as possible.
To avoid mistakes in construction work, effective communication is crucial. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, errors, delays, and costly rework. Ensure clear and open channels among project stakeholders, define responsibilities, set expectations, and maintain regular updates. Miscommunication is a common source of construction errors, and it can be prevented by prioritizing clear and concise communication throughout the project.
Learning slowly can mean failing to update or improve your knowledge, skills, and techniques in your construction work. Construction is a dynamic and evolving field that requires constant learning and adaptation to new trends, technologies, and challenges. Learning slowly can affect your competitiveness, productivity, and innovation in your construction work, and limit your opportunities and growth. You should always seek to learn from your experiences, feedback, and mistakes, and to pursue new training, education, and certification in your field.
In all work, there is a period of learning that occurs at the onset of activities (1st 10%). The trick is to recognize this and work with the new members of the team to assure that they are properly onboarded and that they are ready when the time comes to move into full execution of the work.
To prevent mistakes in construction, proactive and transparent communication is paramount. When challenges arise, it is crucial not to adopt a "head in the sand" approach. Addressing issues promptly and openly is key to avoiding complications later on. Transparency is vital—never withhold bad news in the hope that it will resolve itself. Colin Powell's insightful words, "Bad news isn't wine. It doesn't improve with age," emphasize the importance of timely and honest communication. The sooner problems are acknowledged, the better chance for an effective solution before it escalates into major complications. This approach fosters a culture of accountability and collaboration, ultimately contributing to the success of the construction project.
The worst mistake you can make, is the mistake you make the second time. When you make a decision to not do what you should do, your making a decision to accept failure. There is no right way to do the wrong thing. You have to understand and plan the work. You must follow the spec,s use the correct materials, hold accountable the safety and quality for the product you are providing all while growing from Lessons Learned and never making the same mistake twice.
Not charging enough. Construction people are naturally helpful folks. This can lead to not charging enough for each job. Then that can lead to many of the other problems listed in this article. Make sure you charge enough, it will help you avoid the other problems because you feel like you can devote enough time to solving them.
Reasonable expectations and timelines are imperative for all projects. These must be clearly communicated to the whole construction team and design team and any changes to these should be communicated to everyone immediately. I see more projects where people say I did not know and from there it can go bad
Encourage Teamwork Any type of Construction Project involves a team and collaborative engagements from various parties within a project will ensure a smooth flow of work. Without teamwork ; Drawings, BOQs , Specifications , Drawing Registers , Transmittal Forms , Conditions of Contracts , Programs are meaningless. A clear Channel of communication should be followed in order to implement the action plan into walking the talk. Unproductive meetings should be replaced with engagement training workshops where the project teams share ideas and solutions to any problems relating to the Project.