The sad truth of construction is that not all projects make it from the blueprint to the final product. There are plenty of reasons why construction projects fail to finish successfully – and as a Denver homeowner, you want to make sure that your project doesn’t become a statistic.
At Ridge Construction, our team of Denver area construction experts is here to help you learn the common pitfalls of a home remodeling or construction project and the steps you can take to avoid the unthinkable.
Why Do Construction Projects Fail?
It’s hard to know why some projects fail to reach completion. Sometimes it’s just a case of bad luck or elements outside of the homeowner’s control, but some reasons can be easily avoided with the right steps.
There are many reasons that construction projects fail – and many are less obvious than you may think. Let’s break down the common reasons that construction projects fail to reach the final step:
Unrealistic Expectations
Many homeowners go into a construction project with an idea or concept of what they want but don’t have the time or experience necessary to consider all the variables – including time, money, and available resources. This can lead to anger or frustration when a contractor tells them that their “dream project” is just that – a dream.
If the desired outcome doesn’t quite fit into what a contractor believes is possible, this can potentially lead to delays and disagreements about how best to approach the project. If expectations prove to be a problem throughout the project, you may find that the final results never arrive.
How To Avoid…Unrealistic Construction Project Expectations
When homeowners don’t have the right expectations set at the beginning of a construction project, chaos can ensue once dirt starts moving.
To avoid starting off with unrealistic expectations, it is essential to sit down and discuss your construction project requirements with your contractor prior first.
A clear conversation before your build can help you and your contractor develop a clear understanding of what needs to be done to complete the project. Your contractor can also help rein in any potentially impossible outcomes that are limited by money, resources, staffing, and restrictions with your property.
A clear set of expectations can also help you avoid sticker shock when the final construction project price arrives. Work closely with your contractor, explain to them your ultimate goal with your project, and keep a clear head to avoid unnecessary surprises or failure.
A Failure To Plan
There are many reasons why your home remodeling or construction project could fail, but the most common reason for failure is a lack of planning.
In other words, if you fail to take the time to plan – you are planning to fail!
When you begin a construction project without the right amount of planning and preparation, you may find that you run out of money, time, or resources to complete the project. You can also risk causing confusion between yourself and your contracting team as to the scope of the work and the expectation of what will happen by what date.
How To Avoid… A Failure To Plan
No matter the size or scope of your project, you need to start your construction process with a plan that takes every potential variable into account:
- Your complete construction budget and the potential cost of the work.
- The potential (and desired) timeline of the entire project from planning to completion.
- A clear inventory and supply list to complete the work.
- A general contractor and a team of professionals who have the skills and experience to complete every aspect of the job.
You should also take time to sit down with your contractor at the beginning of your home remodeling or commercial construction process so that they can discuss with you every aspect of their operations.
Lack Of Communication
Another main reason that construction projects fail is due to a lack of communication. When working with a contractor or construction team, you must maintain consistent communication with every necessary individual or company along the way.
When you fail to communicate, it can be easy to assume. Assumptions can cause conflict between contractors and owners are one of the primary reasons that projects are delayed or fail to finish. The last thing you want is to have your contractor quit over a dispute!
How To Avoid… A Lack Of Communication
Once the walls are up and the house is looking more like a home, it will be time for you to start picking out the finer details. This is where the price can begin to vary greatly.
Based on what you can afford in your budget, you may choose to install high-quality fixtures such as marble floors, quartz countertops, or under-cabinet lighting. The team at Ridge Construction can help you find alternatives to expensive fixtures that will offer the same results as the higher-priced fixtures.
Similarly, you will need to consider what appliances you will want for your custom home build. In general, the more you invest the longer your appliances will run. Many appliance styles are high-efficiency models, which can help pay you back in utility costs over time.
Unexpected Obstacles
Depending on the size and scope of your construction projects, the build may last for some time and involve quite a few steps. The plans for your project will need to be carefully crafted and then implemented in a timely manner so that you can avoid any potential problems down the line.
But even with every precaution taken into account, there is always a risk of some unexpected obstacles occurring:
- Weather delays may interrupt or stop projects in their tracks.
- Hiring difficulties can lead to shortages on the site – especially for skilled workers such as plumbers, electricians, welders, etc.
- Material shortages can cause delays in progress as some aspects of a project can require certain phases to be completed before moving forward.
How To Avoid…Unexpected Obstacles
Unfortunately, you can’t really prevent unexpected obstacles – otherwise, they wouldn’t be unexpected!
You should be prepared for these types of problems and have a good understanding as to how they will affect your construction project. You’ll also need the patience, resources, and experience to complete every aspect of the job.
This is something that you should discuss with your contractor at the planning phase so that you are ready for anything that may come along.
Avoid Construction Failure With Denver’s Ridge Construction Company
The best way to avoid construction failure is to work with a team that knows how to get the job done right.
Denver’s Ridge Construction has been in the home remodeling, renovation, and construction business for years. Our Colorado construction team has seen it all – from minor repairs to complete home makeovers and ADU builds.
With the help of our construction project experience, we can provide you with the skills and resources necessary to ensure that every project starts with clear expectations, a complete plan, and constant communication. Our experience in various builds has shown us how to overcome unexpected obstacles to ensure that your project stays on task and finishes successfully.
Want to learn more? Contact us today to learn more about our Denver-area construction services, and follow our blog to see the latest tips and insights from our team of pros!