Any commercial construction project can have hiccups that amount to delays and extra expenses. Some issues are out of your control, but there are some you can avoid. Having an experienced construction management team or knowledgeable general contractor on your side can help you avoid these 5 common commercial construction problems and keep your build from becoming a nightmare.
- Running Behind Schedule
- Financial Issues
- Miscommunication
- Surprise Change Orders
- Poor Site Management
1. Running Behind Schedule
One issue that all construction projects face is falling behind schedule. You can remove most obstacles to steady progress with detailed pre-construction planning. Even so, there are some other unforeseeable reasons for delays that you should be aware of and factor into your preliminary timeline.
- Weather
- Natural Disasters
- Third-Party Delays & Oversights
- Mold, Asbestos, & Other Toxic Substances
If you want your project to succeed, you must be accurate and realistic about deadlines and costs with commercial architects and contractors. Ausonio Incorporated uses tries-and-true project tracking systems, and an open communication model to help address issues before they arise and minimize impacts to the schedule.
We outline the construction schedule in your contract, which you can use to track job progress, and which we revisit and update with each major change and milestone reached. These are just a few tools in the Ausonio tool box which helps us stay ahead of potential delays.
2. Financial Issues
Financial issues can crop up by accident, but they are always avoidable. Sources of funding dry up, costs change, and people make mathematical errors. Prevention can be as simple as double-checking numbers each step of the way.
Pre-construction and design services like the ones we offer at Ausonio can uncover potential issues before breaking ground. Pre-construction is as essential as the building phase because it lays the foundation for the entire project.
Our value is in our inherit knowledge of the process, front-to-back. We have performed this process many times, and believe that we can perform all that is required in the time provided. Our extensive Design/Build experience enables us to think critically from the view point of the design team, and out land-development experience enables us to appreciate the importance of value engineering in order to meet the client’s financial needs.
3. Miscommunication
Communication is essential to completing any construction project. It usually breaks down when things go wrong. Avoiding miscommunication is as simple as making sure everyone is on the same page and quickly informed of any changes.
To succeed in completing any project, it’s critical to establish a process that facilitates effective teamwork. We take three primary steps to accomplish this, we work with members of the project team to develop an “operating charter” that provides a clear understanding of the goals, objectives, scope, strategy and sequencing of the project.
Through weekly management meeting, individual tasks and responsibilities are assigned and tracked. Ausonio is a proud user of Procore, which enables smooth tracking of all correspondences and project documents, putting everything from the project documents to schedules and correspondences online for your ease of access.
Open communication means a more efficient, productive project.
4. Surprise Change Orders
A change order occurs when the contractor or client wants to introduce new specs or fixes after construction has started or due to an unforeseen condition, as mentioned above. These alterations and additions generally result in higher costs.
Ausonio always tries to come up with multiple solutions to any problem, giving the client options they need to make informed decisions. Brainstorming different solutions early on will make the build much easier and more efficient for everyone. Doing so saves money and resources.
5. Poor Site Management
Personalities clash as often as a construction site changes. Some projects are too big, and news travels too slowly across crews to keep up with every update.
Ausonio’s highly experienced superintendents and crew are trained to communicate openly with owners and with our office staff to ensure that solid information and insights are available in real time in order to mitigate issues and make the appropriate decisions as the issues arise. This minimizes cost impacts, running behind on schedule and avoids any further miscommunication as a result.
Talk With Ausonio Today
Every construction project will encounter challenges that can influence the budget and schedule. While thorough planning can prevent many issues, the key to success is an experienced commercial contractor you can trust. If you’re building in Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz Counties, contact Ausonio today to schedule a consultation.
