4 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting A New Construction Project

Construction Project Startup

Before construction begins on any construction project, there are several things that must happen. The first is construction planning. This includes determining everything that needs to get done and prioritized. Creative construction planning is also important. In part, because a plan will help ensure cost savings for your construction project. This is done by presenting feasible construction solutions that meet building requirements. Being in construction management doesn’t always have to be by the book. By nature construction management professionals need to have a creative, practical edge.

What’s another vital step in starting a new construction project? Having an adequate budget for construction costs. Also, ensuring there’s enough money to complete all phases of a construction contract.

However, many times, construction projects are over budget and delayed. This is one aspect of project failure. And, there is one key principle that plays into project failure. Being reactive. Being reactive on a construction project is exhausting and costly. You’re always putting out fires. The positive counter principle that will impact a project is to be proactive. Being proactive works every single time! Don’t believe us? Try it.

If you’ve never been a part of the construction process before, it can be hard to know what to do and when. Especially if you’re new.
Construction projects are difficult. So, this means there’s plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong. In this article, we’ll look at the four common mistakes made when starting a new project. We’ll even give a few tips on how to avoid them!

Those construction project mistakes are:

1.) Forming An Inadequate Team

Make sure you form an adequate construction team for your construction project. Your construction team needs to be comprised of qualified individuals. Individuals who can easily take on the role specified. And, at the very least, they need to be set up to receive practical training. Management also has responsibilities. They need to supply projects with the proper number of individuals to fill those roles. An adequate construction team is essential for construction projects to be successful.

Ineffective construction teams will result in construction delays. This means more time and money spent on rework. To avoid this is simple. Plan ahead.

Example: A large project is on your radar. Don’t wait until after you receive Notice To Proceed to start building the rest of your team. Spend the time and money (this is a hard one for many), to search for the talent ahead of time. As they say, to make money you have to spend money. Great individuals will increase your profits. After all, managing millions or billions of dollars on a project is a big deal.

2.) Having a Reactive Approach To Everything

Waiting until construction problems arise to solve them can be detrimental. A reactive approach will end up costing construction teams projects a lot of money. As you can see, money is definitely a trend here.

To avoid this, construction managers need to remain proactive in their construction process. Should construction delays or change arise, take these into consideration before construction starts. Not only should you have a proactive plan, but you also need to know how to prevent issues from arising if possible.

One tip…. Be proactive!! Furthermore…

• Prepare those submittals on time:
• Lack of submittals equals lack of equipment to install
• Write those RFIs:
• Lack of critical RFIs equals lack of information needed to install.
• Write those purchase orders:
• Lack of purchase orders equals lack of equipment to install. Also, lack of subcontractors to perform work.
• Develop that schedule:
• Lack of schedule equals lack of adequate planning. Also, lack of knowing when specific work needs to start and finish.

We could go on and on about proactivity on a project, but we’ll leave these four tips here with you.

3.) Lack Of Coordination Between Other Trades

Construction projects typically involve construction teams with various construction trades. Proper coordination between construction teams is essential for construction projects to be successful. In turn, providing a high quality work product.

Without proper coordination, construction delays can occur and construction project costs can increase. Hence the trend of money again…. To avoid this, construction managers should know how their construction team works at each stage of the project process (planning, design, bidding/proposal development etc.). Also, as well as what they do in terms of coordination with other construction teams on the project.

Construction managers need to communicate frequently. This means communicating with other trades. This is to ensure that any problems may be addressed early in the construction process. This keeps all construction teams moving in the same direction. Futhermore, it helps construction projects be completed on time.

4.) Lack Of Communication

Communication between design and construction management is vital on all construction projects. Big or small. It makes each side aware of what the other is doing at all times. Which helps with the planning and success of a project. This allows both parties to identify potential issues early in a construction project.

Example: Construction delays on a construction project due to a lack of information. A “communication” issue existed between design and construction teams and writing RFIs. (see #3 above – Lack Of Coordination Between Other Trades). When more information is given upfront, construction projects can move forward with ease. Thus time and money are not spent on rework. In this example, the construction team was able to come back later when they received their RFI’s for the missing equipment needed for installation, which ultimately helped save them time further down the line (and money!). That said, once communication is set up between different parties it needs to be kept going. This makes it easier for new issues or construction delays to be addressed.

A Couple of Tips:

• Go through your design documents and draft RFIs early on
• Communicate early with your subcontractors! This ensures safety and other project requirements are met.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! 4 common mistakes construction teams make when starting construction projects! As we’ve said, taking the proactive approach will help to avoid most, if not all, of these common mistakes. Overall, utilizing a proactive approach is important. The importance lies completing a project on time and within budget.