When building a new home or commercial building, there are numerous potential risks and hazards that can arise. Contractors and subcontractors face strict safety requirements and deadlines that are designed to protect workers from these hazards. However, because of the complexity of the construction process and the interconnected nature of various systems, unexpected issues can arise at any point in the process that could lead to injury and/or damage if left unaddressed. This is why it is important for anyone in charge of designing and building a new structure to create a comprehensive project plan, with attention paid to common issues that can arise throughout construction. These issues include issues related to engineering, design, and management - all aspects of the project that need to be taken into account from day one in order to ensure everything runs smoothly during and after construction is complete. This is also why hiring a professional project manager is so important during the design and construction phase of a project—they can help oversee the different teams and make sure that all of the various teams are properly communicating, managing their time, and completing tasks on schedule so there are no unexpected delays or issues that may arise from a lack of communication or poor planning and scheduling. These issues can be difficult to manage in the absence of a project manager, making it necessary for someone to oversee and coordinate everything from start to finish in order to ensure everything is completed on time and according to plan. Here are some common issues that can arise during the construction of a new home or commercial building.
Wrongly sized or poorly designed foundation
One of the most common issues that can arise during construction is that the foundation for the new home or commercial building was not designed or built correctly in the first place. While it is true that many foundations are often overlooked as an issue during construction, they are an important factor to consider when building a new home or commercial building. In fact, one of the most common reasons for a cost overrun or project delay is because the foundation was not designed properly and/or does not match the design of the home. While the engineer (if there was one) may have overlooked this as a potential issue, it is important to keep this in mind for the future. If the home is not being built on a leveled or sloped site, the wrong foundation design can have several negative consequences, including issues related to moisture, foundation cracks, and settling. It is important to have a professional engineer review the foundation design and recommend changes, if necessary, so that it is properly sized and constructed for the home.
Inadequate safety measures
Another common issue that can arise during construction is that the project does not include adequate safety measures. This can include issues related to proper fall prevention, ladder safety, and working at heights, among others. While most construction sites are required to have fall protection, few actually do. It is important to make sure that your project plans include the right safety measures to protect workers, including fall protection devices such as safety harnesses, ladders, and fall prevention systems. This is true for both new construction and renovations, as well as when retrofitting a home with energy efficiency measures such as solar panels.
No or inadequate access to clean water
One of the most common issues that can arise during construction is that the site does not have easy and immediate access to clean water. This can be an issue in areas that do not have running water, or if a water source is not immediately available. While this may seem like an issue that can easily be resolved, in some cases it can take months or even years to get water to the site. This could be a result of permits and permits for connecting to water systems, as well as other permits that might be needed to bring water to the site. If a site does not have access to clean water, it could put the construction team in a difficult position, especially if there is an urgency to get work done.
Inadequate planning and scheduling
One of the most common issues that can arise during construction is that the project is not properly planned or scheduled, which can have a negative impact on the overall schedule. This can happen when the project is not managed properly from day one, and there is no method in place to track progress, communicate with team members and stakeholders, and ensure everything stays on schedule. This can lead to delays and an inability to meet critical project milestones, such as safety certifications, utility hookups, and the like. It is important to have a project manager oversee the different teams and make sure that everyone stays on schedule and communicates effectively so that there are no unexpected delays or issues that can arise from a lack of communication or poor planning and scheduling.
Underestimating the complexity of the project
One of the most common issues that can arise during construction is that the project team does not fully understand the complexity of the project, which can lead to issues related to communication, project management, and budgeting. This can be especially true for large projects, such as commercial buildings or large-scale residential complexes. It is important to communicate the scope and complexity of the project from day one so that the project team members understand what they are getting into and can better manage expectations. If the project team does not fully understand the scope and complexity of the project, there is a much higher risk of communication issues, project management issues, and cost overruns. As a result, this can lead to significant delays and an extended timeline for project completion.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of potential issues that can arise during the construction of a new home or commercial building. While some of these issues can be prevented or avoided, others may be unavoidable.