Managing Delays From the Construction Side

  • 09/01/15

Not all construction delays are the fault of the construction contractor. By keeping the lines of communications open, the client and contractor together can work to avoid any serious slowdowns in the project.

Project managers should be aware of early warning of delays caused by the client, main contractor or your own people. Client delays arise because they may change their minds, give instructions too late or are slow in approving drawings and plans. They tend to overlook the fact that these delays push back the start for contractors or sub-contractors, and that the contractor is powerless to avoid these delays.

Main contractor delays usually involve construction work being completed late, causing subsequent stages to fall behind schedule. In some cases, delays are the result of mismanagement and a lack of coordination.

Last but not least, the subcontractors themselves may cause delays; for example, by under-resourcing the project in the early stages or by not completing design drawings and getting them approved on time.

Make sure delays outside your control are recognized and documented. Such delays can impact you financially and need to be recorded and the financial impact dealt with by the responsible party. You should not have to bear the cost of other peoples’ delays, nor should you be blamed for them.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

    Furnishing the Future: Adaptive Solutions for Modern Learning Spaces

    On this episode of Schools in Focus, we'll talk about the role that classroom furniture plays in creating adaptive, flexible learning spaces. Our guest is Wesley Edmonds, the Director of Workplace, Adaptive Solutions at OFS.

  • Massachusetts Charter School Opens New Academic Building

    The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, Mass., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new academic building, according to a news release. The 17,000-square-foot space will serve as a classroom and science lab building for the student population of almost a thousand in grades 6–12.

  • Wisconsin District Launches Series of Improvement Projects

    The School District of River Falls in River Falls, Wis., recently launched a series of five construction projects scheduled for completion by September 2025, according to a news release. The district partnered with Bray Architects for their design and with integrated construction management firm Kraus-Anderson (KA) for their construction.

  • Fellowes Launches New Textile Collection

    Fellowes Contract Interiors recently partnered with Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings to launch a new line of high-end-design, cost-effective textiles, according to a news release. Part of Momentum Textiles’ Kickstart collection, the new selection offers high-quality and versatile textiles for both smaller budgets and the early design phase of larger projects.