Construction mistakes to avoid in 2024 

Introduction

Running a successful construction project is no doubt a very difficult task—think of it as building a puzzle where every piece must fit perfectly. As you’ll agree, unfortunately, mistakes happen. And with construction projects these mistakes can cost you both time and money. 

In 2024, as construction techniques and technologies evolve, it has become even more important than ever to avoid common pitfalls that can derail your project. And that is why, in our guide, we highlight 8 common construction mistakes you should avoid so that your project runs smoothly.

Mistake #1: Poor Planning 👎

Tell me, have you ever tried building a piece of furniture without reading the instructions? If you have, you’ll agree that it usually ends in frustration. Construction is no different. 

Poor planning in construction can lead to 3 major issues 1) delays, 2) budget overruns, and 3) overall chaos. In short, without a solid plan, you’re like a ship at sea without a compass—lost!

How to avoid these construction mistakes, you ask?

1. Create a detailed project plan where you clearly outline every phase, from the initial designs to the final finish. 
2. Definitely hire an architect or project manager. They will help you map out the process and also suggest ways to save money. Never forget, a well-planned project is 90% complete before it even starts!
3. And consider using a strong and efficient Construction Management tool to help you in your work. 

Mistake #2: Underestimating Costs 💰

You went to shop for groceries only to realize that you have over exceeded your budget. What happened? Clearly you underestimated the cost of certain items and didn’t factor in the little things you required. This is what underestimating construction costs does to your project. 

How do you sidestep this mistake? 

Follow these 4 estimating rules you need to follow to avoid these construction errors:

1. Situational assessment: Real-time data analysis on project costs, allowing construction companies to adjust cost estimates
2. In-depth historical analysis: Analyze historical data from past projects to help construction companies to estimate costs for similar projects in the future
3. Time management: Estimate the time required to complete each task and schedule tasks to be completed in the stipulated time
4. Explore alternatives: VE options allow construction estimators to explore alternative materials, methods, or designs that can help optimize costs without compromising quality or performance.

You can also read about How to use a Construction Accounting Software in detail.

Mistake #3: Placing wrong bids ❌

When you place a wrong bid you face 2 threats: 

Over and all, incorrect bids damage your company’s reputation which in turn make it harder to secure future projects. It can also lead to strained relationships with clients and stakeholders, project delays and even legal disputes. On the flip side, an accurate bidding promises you project viability, profitability, and long-term business success. So, which one will you choose? 

Mistake #4: Failure to prioritize tasks 🗓️

When employees in a company work in the absence of a centralized system that tracks their progress, they are bound to commit errors or overlook certain tasks, resulting in delays and rework. 

Miscommunication becomes a common problem. It leads to poor decision-making and makes it impossible to promptly address issues. There is also a possibility that the employees might forget certain tasks or miss their deadlines. And the only way to avoid all of these construction mistakes is to find a powerful Task Management tool. 

A good Task Management tool should allow you to:

1. Create and assign tasks to individuals or teams with specific dates, priorities and dependencies.
2. Easily assign task to a specific team member like site supervisor, a construction worker, or a subcontractor and track progress​
3. Track the progress of tasks, with real-time updates and notifications when tasks are completed
4. Delegate tasks to other team members or collaborators, with option to set permissions and access level

Read this blog to pick the best Inventory management tool for your construction company

Mistake #5: Not keeping a tab on your inventory 👀

Construction sites can get pretty hectic. Different projects require various raw materials and machinery. Ideally, these items need to be released from your warehouse and collected back once the task is completed.

I say ideally because if you’ve worked on a construction project before, you know how common it is to lose or misplace items. This causes delays and increased costs as workers waste time searching for materials, or the company has to make new purchases.

Without a system that manages construction inventory, it’s challenging to maintain accurate inventory levels; they might be overstocked or understocked. When you don’t have the correct data on your inventory, guess what, there is a high possibility of duplication of orders → unnecessary spending → heavy losses.

To put it straight, not making proper use of inventory management systems disrupts project workflow, wastes money, and hinders project success – so avoid these mistakes in your construction process. Steal these 5 Ways to setup an Efficient Inventory Management system in Construction.

Mistake #6: Skimping on Quality Materials or Overspending ⚠️

We all love a good deal, but when it comes to construction, skimping on quality materials can lead to major headaches later. Cheap materials may save you money upfront but can result in more repairs and replacements down the line.

Just like that, spending a lot of money to buy your materials is an equally bad idea. Cause then you’re losing money from your profit margin. 

A sure shot way to save yourself from falling into the pit of skimping or overspending on materials is to use a good Purchasing tool (preferably one that is cut out for the construction sector like BLDON’s purchasing tool)

A good purchasing tool keeps vendor contact info, like email addresses and phone numbers, up-to-date for future purchases. This lets you compare prices from different vendors easily to get the best deals.

You can also use the tool to set up recurring orders for materials and equipment you need regularly, like monthly or quarterly, and place blanket orders too. Looking to buy a purchasing tool for your company? Check out purchasing tips for Construction companies.

Mistake #7: Failing to Communicate with your Clients 📴

Ever tried juggling client relationships and project details without a construction-specific CRM tool? Trust me, it’s like trying to herd cats! 

Without a powerful CRM you will very likely find yourself scrambling to keep track of client communications, project changes, and project deadlines. 

Not only that, missed deadlines and mixed-up expectations will seem unavoidable. Plus, it will give way to disorganized project data that can lead to duplicated efforts and overlooked issues, causing you to miss out on gaining new clients. You might also lose the ones already onboard. 

I mean, managing bids, contracts, and progress reports without a central system? Good luck with that! 

My advice, use an industry specific CRM tool to save your company projects from committing such construction mistakes and being hurt with risks and losses. Here are 7 construction CRM tips for you.

Mistake #8: Not having your documents in place 🗃️

Losing important documents is a nightmare. Luckily, in 2024, you have many high-performing document management systems that save you from misplacing documents and help you track complicated revisions and approvals. They protect you from major legal disputes and challenges that could cost you a lot of money and delay project timelines.

A reliable document management system is a safe haven for all your construction documents, like contracts and blueprints. It ensures effective project communication and execution.

Conclusion

Avoiding these common construction mistakes is key to a successful project in 2024. With proper planning, accurate cost estimation, effective task and inventory management, and the right tools for purchasing, CRM, and document management, you can streamline your operations and avoid costly setbacks. 

Stay ahead of the game and ensure your projects run smoothly and efficiently!

Because, why not?

FAQs

1. What are the best ways to ensure a project stays on budget?

Detailed planning, along with a contingency fund for unexpected costs, can help keep your project within budget.

2. How do I keep track of materials in my construction company?

Invest in a good inventory management system that provides real-time tracking of materials, automates reordering, and offers detailed reports.

3. How do I ensure easy communication between different teams working on a project?

Set up an efficient email management system that offers ready-to-use email templates, lets you prioritize your emails, and schedule them to be sent at a specific time. It will save you and your employees a lot of time and also eliminate unwanted communication barriers.

4. How do I place more accurate bids?

Leverage advanced estimation software to streamline and refine your bidding process with more precise data. These tools conduct detailed project analysis, accurate cost estimation, historical data analysis, and manage contingency data, among other functions and keep you away from common mistakes that occur during the construction process.

5. Is there a construction specific Task Management tool?

There are different task management tools that are pretty popular among companies and employees like Asana, Wrike, Slack etc. However, if you’re looking for a construction specific Task Management tool you should try bldon. They offer a large set of Construction Management tools which you can try for free.