Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Commercial Construction Projects

Construction projects for commercial purposes may hold many sub-programs that have relationships and dependencies among the stakeholders as well as require financial commitments.

This is the reason why the main factors of success are proper planning, good project management and the perfect execution of tasks. However, the mistakes that are made in any project are usually blasting normally due to the following reasons.

Knowledge of these hazards is useful in avoiding any holds up, excess costs and legal issues that may be associated with a certain project. So without any further delay, here are the ten most common mistakes people make when it comes to commercial construction and how to prevent them. We will also briefly discuss the role of the professionals in making the goal of such projects come to reality.

Overview:

Commercial construction encompasses small shops and stores, large, central business districts, office buildings and industrial plants and finally, commercial construction can be said to be different from residential construction in all ways including size, legal requirements, and design.

Missteps in commercial organisations can result in calamity effects which include stopped operations, physical risks and possible litigation. There is no such thing as a flawless project, but the following mistakes can be controlled if there is adequate planning with the help of professionals.

Introduction:

Business construction activities are more than just construction of walls and laying of floors and other structures. These projects entail capital expenditure, involves more than one party and spurs collaboration and cooperation of architects, engineers and contractors among others.

One single mistake and a project can be off-track for months, the costs would shoot up through the roof, and in some cases, the very project is at risk of failure.

Luckily, with the right approach and properly taking into consideration recommendations of other professionals, these threats can be significantly reduced. In this article, the ten common pitfalls that most commercial construction projects bear are reviewed together with ways of avoiding them.

Also Read : Smart Construction Technologies

10 Mistakes to Avoid:

Inadequate Planning:

Mistake:

Some of the areas that contractors frequently get it wrong in commercial construction are: Lack of adequate planning. Some of the difficulties that may arise later include the following: rushing through the design phase and skipping feasibility studies and not setting clear goals.

How to Avoid It:

In essence, one should ensure that they conduct a proper feasibility study before they start construction. Determine who will benefit from the project, find out its specifics and challenges that can be met in certain regions, and see its overall objectives.

Involve architects and engineers right from the start so that the project incorporates the best designs including a view to the future. The project entails the evaluation of all aspects of the project such as timeline, costs, regulations, and possibly forming of risks.

Underestimating the Budget:

Mistake:

Most commercial construction undertakings are hit by financial hitches because of cost considerations that are often underestimated. This results in the cost of compromises or in the extreme a project being stalled because of lack of adequate funds.

How to Avoid It:

Consult with a financial planner or a simple cost estimator, so as to come up with a cost estimate with some extra money allowance for emergencies. In a bid to avoid underestimations, it is always better to overestimate them instead. Other costs not to be overlooked are regulatory costs and permits and even changes in the costs of raw materials.

Ignoring Local Regulations and Codes:

Mistake:

Neglecting to conform to local legislation such as building codes, zoning laws and environmental laws will attract either fines, or forced changes resulting in costs in terms of time or even alteration of the whole project.

How to Avoid It:

As you set out for work on your construction project, make sure you do this with a clear understanding of the lawful requirements in your area for construction projects. Consult with legal and compliance specialists with prior understanding of the region’s legal requirements.

Preparing the permits and approvals beforehand would prove more useful since if mobilisation is considered too soon then a lot of money will be spent.

Also Read : Types of Beam in Construction

Poor Communication Between Stakeholders:

Mistake:

Whenever the owners, contractors, architects and other stakeholders of a construction project fail to communicate effectively, their goals are likely to differ, the project will be delayed and expensive mistakes will be made.

How to Avoid It:

It is recommended that a communication plan be put in place from the onset as soon as the project is initiated. Introducing the project management software will help in the coordination of the project by ensuring that all the project members are informed at the same time.

The meetings and updates are essential to ensure the continuous implementation of the project without any hampering of the flow. Conflicts are managed effectively through proper communication since these arguments can be nipped in the bud if a proper communication channel is followed.

Overlooking the Importance of a Contingency Plan:

Mistake:

Quite often it is related to the failure of many projects operating under the assumption that the doomsday scenario is not going to happen. In any given situation, they don’t have the capacity to think of a backup plan, allowing for all sorts of problems to emerge unannounced.

How to Avoid It:

It is important to put in place a strong contingency plan before the project is embarked on. Remember always to inoculate for mishaps such as bad weather that may hinder construction, lack of materials or even a wrangle with the contractors. Making arrangements to have another plan at hand can help avoid a single hitch that leads to other large problems.

Neglecting Safety Standards:

Mistake:

It is always important that safety should always be given first priority in any construction program. Lack of application of safety measures may culminate to disasters, injuries, and legal cases.

How to Avoid It:

You can also hire a safety manager or a safety consultant who will guide the project to adhere to all the OSHA standards. Maintain constant inspections of the workplace in order to avoid a case of a mishap occurring at site, as well as ensure the workers receive constant training on safety measures.

Failing to Hire the Right Professionals:

Mistake:

There are higher chances of getting poor work, delayed work, and higher costs when you hire inexperienced or professionals who are not qualified enough for the job.

How to Avoid It:

All the time you must ensure that you scrutinise any contractor, architect, engineer, and other professionals that you hire. Make sure that they have worked on similar commercial projects before and always verify references on their past works. With the help of a good team you will avoid additional expenses and get a good project on time.

Unrealistic Timelines:

Mistake:

It is self-defeating and counterproductive to set unrealistic time targets because it will only result in unproductive work, low quality production, and even spurn ended stakeholders.

How to Avoid It:

Construct a timeline that covers the chances of a set back or a hold up in the project. Work together with the project managers and/or contractors in order to develop a schedule that will be satisfactory in terms of the time that is taken although sufficient time should be allocated to ensure quality work is achieved

Ignoring the Role of Technology:

Mistake:

Inefficiency in construction means the industry should learn from the modern construction technology and avoid the older techniques that may slow down the construction period or lead to higher costs.

How to Avoid It:

Adopt advanced technologies, like the Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, to increase efficiency, promote coordination and enhance a project’s accuracy. Some of the applications of remotely operated drones and artificial intelligence is in site monitoring and surveying and safety management thus improving overall project management.

Inadequate Post-Construction Planning:

Mistake:

The majority of developers pay attention only to the construction period and do not think of the post construction processes like maintenance and facility management.

How to Avoid It:

They should try and start to consider the purposes of the building while constructing the facility. Involve facility managers right from the beginning so as to set up systems that are easier to maintain or manage.

Do not forget about the company’s cost-saving measures in the long run through the adoption of sustainable and energy-efficient measures.

The Role of Professionals in Commercial Construction:

The analysis shows that the role of professionals in the delivery of commercial construction projects cannot be overemphasised. Here's how:

Architects and Engineers play a crucial role when it comes to coming up with tangible,beautiful and safe buildings during the designing stage.

A Project Manager directs several teams, manages schedules and timelines, oversees budgets, and communicates with stakeholders.

Legal and Compliance Experts make sure that the project in question complies with the laws of the country or region and does not trigger any legal issues.

Subcontractors, on the other hand, are the ones who are to decide how the construction of a particular component or section is to be made, though they are supposed to adhere to the approved construction plan.

Safety Consultants make certain all OSHA requirements are satisfactorily addressed; and the building is fit for the workers as well as the future users.

Cost Control Analysts ensure the costs of a project are kept within the set financial capacity by putting into consideration how they can be controlled.

Conclusion:

Even though commercial construction processes are by themselves delicate, by excluding usual pitfalls like insufficient planning, low budgets or safety issues it is much easier to have a successful project.

Also, Note that the work of the professional is irreplaceable. It helps to consult professional architects and engineers, adequate project managers and legal consultants in order to ensure that the project is executed to the right time and cost and compliance to the law.

Avoiding these 10 mistakes and embracing the expertise of seasoned professionals can make the difference between a successful project and one mired in setbacks. Proper planning, communication, and a strong team are the cornerstones of any successful commercial construction endeavour.