10 Common mistakes to avoid during the construction process

Everyone makes mistakes, and the construction industry is no exception. Let’s find out the common mistakes in the construction process. 

Lack of communication among team members

In any construction project, there are many companies, subcontractors, and teams involved. The flow of information is enormous, and with every single change or update, all parties must be introduced to them because other parties then must continue to build their plans on these changes. Fortunately, with the adoption of construction software, the flow of information and communication improves. 

Ignoring Weather Conditions

There are materials that require specific weather conditions. Not always do contractors follow this rule. When they avoid this and continue installation, they are sacrificing quality, which results in warranty claims at a later stage. Another factor is safety, there are still accidents when companies continue to work despite the weather conditions risking their lives. Every site and job has its own unique rules for what weather conditions it is allowed to work. 

Skipping Site Preparation

Any job on a construction site requires a lot of knowledge, experience, and most importantly, preparation. Despite the experience and knowledge it doesn’t mean contractors can skip preparation. Every project is unique, you have to go through all the technical details, involved persons, and project goals, and identify possible risks. When going on site you should be ready for many possible changes and have a possible action plan in your mind. 

Inadequate planning and design

A single mistake in design could mean redoing all the work. And these mistakes can happen at any stage, even when calculating footings and finding out that, during construction, a house is sinking and work must be stopped. The majority of mistakes are the result of human error, which is why businesses are developing routine checks. There are also guidelines and standards where it is stated which parts must be controlled, double checked, etc. When it comes to inspection and control, these things should be taken seriously. 

Choosing the Wrong Construction Materials

The most common mistake is when two different materials that should not be connected are assembled together. For example, steel and aluminum Another type of mistake are when the material is not meant for a specific environment or usage. 

Failing to Hire Experienced Workers

The construction industry is facing a labor shortage, and the average age is rising. Also in the construction industry, there are so many different types of work, and each one of them requires a unique set of skills. In most cases, construction companies can’t find workers with the right skills and have to train them themselves. Improper training or wrong hires can result in mistakes. 

Poor management of the construction site

Reworks, or as some call them, “redos, happen very often. Even with skilled workers and teams. In most cases, they happen because of poor management. Managers and workers can become so busy and overwhelmed by the work that they slowly start to lose control over it. Which results in more redos.

Not Following Building Codes and Regulations

Every country has its own unique building code or set of regulations according to which buildings should be built. Engineers and contractors must follow these codes and guidelines. Regulators make adjustments at least once a year and introduce them to the industry. 

Overlooking Safety Measures

Safety is the highest priority on every site, and general contractors always make sure that everyone follows these rules. On every site, there are appointed responsible persons who introduce every company to site specific rules, and contractors must follow them. Despite this, accidents do happen, albeit very, very rarely. 

Underestimating the Budget and Timeline

Improper management of budget and timeline causes projects to run over budget and schedule. Once one contractor starts to delay their work, he sparks a chain reaction, and other contractors start to feel the consequences, and their budget and schedule become affected. Using construction software, contractors can take control of their budget and schedule. 

Author – Emil Berzins. Follow me on