Common Construction Problems and How Construction Software Can Help You Solve Them

Biggest Challenges in The Construction Industry

The construction industry is prone to problems, and a rise in the market has kept them from disappearing. A project manager’s job is to ensure everything runs smoothly to deliver on time, within budget constraints, and of the best quality possible. Whether it is a delay due to inclement weather, lack of workers, or even document mismanagement, it is essential to deal with it immediately so it will have a manageable impact on the project’s overall progress.

Let us take a look at some of the common problems that construction managers are facing today.

Compliances with Regulations and Ordinances

The world is changing quickly, as are the building rules and laws. Many laws and regulations affect construction differently, and ensuring that your project complies with them is critical. Yes, it is a lot to keep up with, and it is easy to miss a notice about a new rule or a change to the current laws. When that happens, you can finish a project only to find out that you just wasted tens of thousands of dollars because you have to go back and fix the problem.

Limited Skilled Workforce

Another one of the biggest problems is that more skilled workers are needed to meet the market’s growing demand. And this one gets worse yearly, too, because fewer young people want to work in construction, and more older workers are getting close to retirement age. Demand keeps rising, but only a few people are qualified to work in construction.

One standard option is to work with various subcontractors to do a specific scope of work. Another is to take on mentoring work or apprenticeships to people with little or no work experience and skilled workers who already have jobs. This lets more potential employees be hired.

Delays in Completion

One of the biggest worries of a homeowner is that the project will be done as soon as possible without compromising its quality. As stated earlier, it can be due to something unpredictable, like the weather – or it might be something that could be easily prevented, like miscommunication.

The construction contract should include a construction milestone schedule which you can use to track the project’s progress. Milestones are like checkpoints – you can use them to check them against what is happening with the project. You need to know the reasons why the project might be late. But delays should be taken care of immediately, and the homeowner and the contractor should talk directly.

Poor Communication and Collaboration Between Teams

The success of a project, regardless of its industry, depends on how well people talk to each other. You must collaborate and communicate with various teams to ensure each activity is done on time. Miscommunication is often the root cause when things go wrong with a project. Because construction technology, such as software, is becoming more common, people have access to information about how the project is going and what is happening in real-time. It is one way to reduce slowdowns and speed up the bumps when communication breaks down.

Unorganized Workflows and Tasks

A project manager must make decisions and set up various processes that fit the project plan’s schedule. This ensures that everything is done right – for example, each task is done in the correct sequence. But if the project’s management is struggling to keep up with the speed and size of demand, it could be a big problem. People managing the construction project should have the right skills to ensure everything is streamlined and organized.

Financial and Budget Problems

You may have to pay employees, vendors, renters of equipment, and suppliers, but the money you owe is due when the project is done. As the contractor, you need enough money to deal with this problem. Getting an open line of credit for your business will help you pay these bills and keep your good name.

Scheduling Management Problems

Scheduling is one of the most frustrating problems that have come up in construction so far. Some subcontractors can’t be on the site simultaneously, or there could be work conflicts or injuries. Even if everyone agrees on a date and time in advance, someone will always have a conflict or call you to say they cannot make it.

Another example is when a supply chain has stopped necessary building materials from getting to the site. Some days, everyone can get to work on time but cannot finish the task since they need specific materials or equipment. This is where an efficient construction time management system should be in place.

Resistance to Adapting Construction Technology

For decades, technology has been a big part of the construction business. Even though it sounds good, one of the biggest problems in the industry is that most people need to be faster to adapt to changes in internal operations when using construction technology.

As a business owner, you can only spend thousands of dollars on new software, thinking it might help your organization in the long run. While construction software can offer powerful, easy-to-use features, it will only be worthwhile if your crew and staff can utilize their property.

Missing Documents and Paperwork

It is not surprising that construction usually involves a lot of paperwork – given its scope, size, and complexity. A project manager must keep track of many documents, such as contracts, receipts, insurance certificates, materials orders, etc. Having to deal with that regularly slows down document management and makes mistakes more likely. Luckily, many systems and solutions can help manage documents in many ways, like sorting, due dates, project deadlines, and more. You can now get access to updated information with just a simple click.

Irregular Inventory and Equipment Management

To be more specific, many companies often need to remember construction equipment costs, such as maintenance and replacement costs. Managing construction inventory and equipment is another cost driver, especially when replacing some resources. You must keep a close eye on your inventory and equipment levels to ensure that you have the right resources on-site whenever you need them.