Exploring 10 Common Construction Mistakes, Errors & Problems that can Complicate Projects  

Robotics and automated processes continue to reduce the frequency of errors in construction, but many common problems can never be fully eliminated. Construction mistakes can have serious consequences, with just one miscalculation potentially leading to financial, safety, legal, and schedule issues that put projects in jeopardy.

In this blog post, we review ten common types of errors in construction, and the best ways to avoid them. We also provide some useful suggestions for managing these mistakes by creating a culture of continuous improvement.

10 Common Construction Mistakes & Problems

Mistakes have always been an accepted part of every construction project, but as buildings and budgets grow larger and timelines get tighter, the margins for error get smaller. The common mistakes we have highlighted include avoidable issues that occur early in the conceptual or preconstruction phase, and problems that are experienced throughout the project lifespan.

1. Inaccurate estimates

An inaccurate construction cost estimation process is one of the most serious mistakes, since it can lead to cost overruns, contract disputes, and dissatisfied clients when expectations do not align with reality. A lack of timely and complete design, material, and labor information is one leading cause of inaccurate estimates, and manual quantity takeoff methods can also lead to errors as the information is transferred from drawings to spreadsheets. Even when the right tools and practices are in place, shifting market conditions can render estimates obsolete if they are not continuously reviewed.

2. Overly aggressive schedules

Despite the best intentions of project managers, contractors, architects, and other team members, over 85% of large-scale construction projects are still delivered late. This reveals the common problem of overly aggressive schedules that are caused by a combination of pressure from clients, poor resource management, and failure to plan for unexpected events and changes. Unrealistic schedules can create excitement at the beginning of the project that is overshadowed by disappointment at the end.

3. Lack of contingency planning

A construction contingency is a percentage of a project’s budget set aside for unforeseen expenses. Failing to create accurate contingencies or allowing the contingency budget to be used as a catch-all for avoidable construction problems, are habits that can tilt budgets out of balance. The contingency budget should be established early in the project using all available information on projects risks and historical performance.

4. Poor contractor selection

The centuries-old history of the construction industry has been built on personal relationships and trust, but data collection and caution must also be evident when choosing a general contractor. Selection based on low bids or unsubstantiated claims are common and understandable mistakes, since clients and other stakeholders might overlook details to reduce costs and accelerate the project start date. Licenses, insurance coverages, and past experiences should always be thoroughly vetted to ensure this key role is filled correctly.

5. Inadequate communication

Poor communication is one of the common problems in construction projects with many different causes and consequences. Fragmented teams, a lack of centralized information, noisy environments, and outdated data are just a few of the issues that can make construction communication challenging if steps are not taken to bridge the gaps and put all teams on the same page.

Communication problems are a leading cause of disputes, safety risks, and rework that can slow down progress, create frustration, and increase costs.

6. Overlooking site issues

Each site is different, so failing to complete a thorough review or survey can lead to serious construction issues. The existing site size, boundaries, access points, and grading must be known to begin the design process, but soil testing, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and environmental impact studies paint a more detailed picture. Overlooking these finer details during preconstruction can cause excessive delays if site issues must be corrected during the building process. 

7. Not reporting safety concerns

Fast-moving construction teams may not always be aware of the safety or health hazards surrounding them, or may not remember to report safety issues they encounter during the day. Time constraints, unclear reporting channels, and complicated reporting processes can also lead workers to avoid reporting, even when issues present a potential threat. Effective safety training is one of the keys to avoiding these construction problems.

8. Poor training practices

Most construction companies and stakeholders agree that adequate training on safety precautions, equipment usage, quality standards, and other common best practices is essential, but training programs can struggle to keep up with worker turnover and the rapid pace of change. For example, only 39% of construction workers say they have completed occupational safety and health training on the risks related to their work. Inadequate training can impact jobsite safety as well as workmanship quality, morale, and productivity while increasing the likelihood of many types of errors in construction.

9. Improper change control

Effective change control helps to keep obsolete information out of the field, prevent rework, and reduce overall expenses. Information silos and slow communication channels are common issues that undermine change control practices. Many projects also lack the standardized reporting and tracking processes needed to prevent costly lags in change implementation. 

10. Relying on manual processes

Estimation, resource planning, and change control processes lead to more common construction mistakes when they are completed using inefficient, manual methods. Automation, robotics, and construction drones are gradually eliminating back-breaking, unsafe, or repetitive tasks, while mitigating worker shortages and health concerns. Replacing manual administrative processes using cloud-based construction software tools is equally important, since this increases efficiency while minimizing errors.

How to Avoid Construction Mistakes

Mistakes, errors, and unexpected problems can never be avoided completely, but they can be reduced and controlled by following a few basic best practices.

Upgrade communication tools

Communication is the common thread running through many common construction mistakes, with missing, delayed, or incorrect information opening the door for misunderstandings and errors. Mobile construction software apps are bridging many of these gaps by providing access to real-time project information and making it possible to collaborate from any location.

Proactive risk management

Risk management is an effective way to reduce mistakes, since the process involves identifying and mitigating potential threats before they can create problems. Cross-functional teams brainstorm issues like design flaws, safety hazards, installation errors, and material quality issues and develop strategies to lessen their impact and avoid allowing hypothetical construction problems from becoming reality.

Regular site inspections

Site inspections help to reduce the impact of mistakes by catching minor issues before they are compounded into major problems and verifying that completed tasks meet the quality and workmanship standards defined by drawings and specifications. Site inspections are also valuable for identifying construction hazards and equipment issues to minimize the negative consequences of any future mistakes.

Standardized methods

Inconsistent methods lead to inconsistent results, so all team leaders should work to develop standardized practices for installation, inspection, assembly, project management and other common industry practices. Standardized methods reduce mistakes by establishing clear, repeatable processes with minimized guesswork. They also make it easier to develop common training practices and expectations.

Use professional construction software

Cloud-based construction software for takeoff & estimation, document management, procurement, planning, and other key functions gives teams the boost in efficiency they need to meet aggressive project schedules, and it also helps to minimize mistakes. Centralized information and direct links between design, estimation, resource management, and accounting functions reduce errors while adding value across all processes in the construction lifecycle.

How to Manage Mistakes in Construction Projects

Avoiding construction mistakes is the first step towards managing them, since the causes must be understood before new systems and practices can be implemented successfully. With the right software tools in place to keep errors to a minimum, a culture of continuous improvement addresses mistakes by:

• Focusing on problem-solving rather than blame when issues occur
• Following consistent and unbiased contractor vetting and review processes
• Creating detailed construction specifications and drawings to minimize confusion and misinterpretation
• Ensuring common problems and issues are captured in training materials 

A supportive culture that views mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve also helps to enhance the value and adoption of software tools intended to improve collaboration and best practice sharing.

Conclusion

Mistakes are inevitable, but they can also be managed and prevented by deploying the right combination of software tools and jobsite best practices. While building errors remain a common problem, mistakes in estimating, scheduling, resource allocation, and hiring can have equally serious consequences. Versatile and integrated software tools improve collaboration, training, and information access to keep mistakes from standing in the way of success.

RIB Software solutions, including cloud-based options for bid management, takeoff & estimation, document control, resource management, and procurement, weave a digital thread through the project and organization to ensure mistakes are the exception rather than the rule. Real-time drawing, document, and cost information reduces rework while providing ready access to professional reports.

To learn more about the ways RIB Software is making construction mistakes obsolete, get your free demo today and discover the benefits for yourself! 

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