Causes of Construction Rework and How to Avoid Them

Commercial construction projects have numerous moving parts. Oftentimes, even with proper planning things can still shift throughout a project - or worse - things can go very wrong. This can result in problems ranging from schedule delays and late delivery, to budget overrun, worker injuries, and rework. Construction rework is anything that may need to be redone or updated because something was done incorrectly during the initial construction phase. 

Common Causes of Construction Rework

To successfully identify ways to reduce or eliminate rework, commercial general contractors need to understand why rework occurs and its consequences in construction. 

Planning and Scheduling Problems

Without proper planning and a realistic timeline, a construction project can be difficult to manage. Everything from weather delays to resourcing supplies can have a negative impact on your initial schedule. Furthermore, issues like inadequate involvement of the client or insufficient communication throughout the project can cause issues and ultimately, delays. These types of pressures on a schedule can easily lead to mistakes and errors. 

Construction Errors

Every so often, there are simply errors in construction or improperly constructed/installed work. This could be the result of inexperienced workers, insufficient supervision and/or quality control processes. Sometimes there may even be an issue that is not discovered until work has begun - problems with layout or location, measurement issues, etc. Ultimately, there are a variety of factors that could lead to construction errors that subsequently call for rework. 

Material Specifications

Building materials may not always meet specifications, which can lead to rework. Material defects could include having the wrong materials specified initially or the incorrect materials delivered. Sometimes, there is even a determination after the fact that certain materials are substandard and need to be replaced. For example, attempts to save money may result in substandard materials leading to work that must be redone.

Communication & Collaboration

Lack of communication and collaboration is bound to result in mistakes with any project. With a commercial construction project, different stakeholders have to communicate regularly and collaborate to ensure the success of the project. Tenants and property managers must work with designers, contractors, architects, and project managers; all of whom must collaborate with subcontractors and other 3rd parties. 

How to Avoid Rework

Rework is one of the most common problems in construction, and one that can have a significant impact on the cost and schedule of a project. Identifying the common causes can also help identify solutions. 

Before beginning a project, ensure you are properly prepared. Clear contracts are key to establishing scope, defining materials, schedule and budget, and reducing the likelihood of miscommunication. Areas such as planning and scheduling, require clear, ongoing communication. If there are unavoidable delays, it is imperative that these are addressed with transparency to avoid rework or construction errors later. 

The biggest key takeaway is that proper communication is key to avoiding many causes of rework.

To learn more about how Green Heart can help reduce rework on your next project Contact Us Today →