6 General Construction Contractor Mistakes Every Professional Should Be Careful Of

In construction, one small mistake can become a cause for great financial losses. Construction is among the sectors most prone to stumbles during the operational process, and sometimes it’s not really in our control. However, with strategic approach and a professionally sound game plan, mistakes can be hindered. 

The complexity and longer timelines of construction projects are factors bound to end up in unwanted damages and delays. But there are ways to downscale them with precautionary measures. For contractors, understanding common construction mistakes is the first step to avoiding them. Let’s discuss them down below.

List Of Construction Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

As a professional, it’s a major setback if your repair budget exceeds as a result of construction mistakes. Therefore, it’s best to prevent pitfalls even before they occur. Here is a list of the most common mistakes that have been reported in the construction sector. 

1. Offering Lower Bid To Land Projects

A seasoned contractor knows that presenting a lower bid is not the solution to finding more clients. This might sound very tempting during the hiring process, but as you proceed with the project, the asking price will likely be extended. In the middle of the project, asking the hiring person to provide more budget is neither ethically reasonable nor professionally viable. 

Therefore, it is best to follow the structural process of bid generation. Research materials, perform strategic planning, and comprehend the full scope of tasks involved in the project. Following the step by step process will not only help generate a practical estimation of budget, but also save you from future embarrassment. 

2. Use of Outdated Blueprints

There is no place for outdated blueprints in the current construction industry. Anyone with the basic knowledge of architecture and design will know that. However, many contractors deliberately chose to ignore this factor, and settle for outdated blueprints, created using obsolete software and applications. 

Using incorrect applications and data in your blueprint is a recipe for disaster. It might impact the entire mapping, and if not effectively updated on time, might incur huge costs. In fact, following the wrong drawing might even end up requiring the entire structure to be stripped apart and redone. Therefore, it is advisable for contractors to use latest softwares to generate blueprint drawings. 

3. Following The Wrong Order Of Construction

There is a reason why all specialist and general construction contractors study the right order of construction — because it’s a prime factor in executing a successful project. While it is okay to sometimes switch the order of tasks and perform one over the other, this is only a viable option when you have extensive knowledge regarding the implications of this change. 

In some cases, it’s essential to stick to the pre defined building design stages. For example, excavation, foundation, steel framing, pipeline and wire laying, masonry, and fit out works. Let’s suppose the contractor misses the rough plumbing and electrical work, and moves on to creating drywall and ceilings right after framing work. This means there will be no piping or wiring system underneath, hence inhibiting the supply of energy and water to the house. Fixing this issue will cost time and energy in addition to a ton of money. 

4. Not Getting The Required Permits

In order to run a project seamlessly, pre-approving the design and getting related permits is fundamental. If you start building without either of these, there is a high chance local regulations authorities with stamp your property with a ton of penalties and fines. 

Therefore, make sure you are getting all the required construction licenses as notified by the local construction code. For UAE-based building permits and licensing requirements, review the official guidelines by Dubai Development Authority. For procedures to obtain permits, check out the Building Permit Procedures by Dubai Municipality.  

5. Neglecting On Site Safety

Construction is naturally accompanied by a set of risks related to site operations and crew collaboration. If appropriate safety measures are not taken prior to starting a construction project, it can have adverse effects on the property, staff, as well as the public. 

When it comes to safety in construction, the work needs to be done from the ground up. Not only is it essential to practice crew safety, but operational hazards should also be addressed to ensure no one gets hurt. Ignoring either one of them will be a grave mistake. Below are the four major tiers where safety should be a first priority.

• Site safety with the use of appropriate machines and hardware to ensure no one is put at risk.

• Providing appropriate safety gear including helmets, shoes, and apparel to the staff.

• Ensuring worker awareness regarding the standard work protocols, as well as those related to emergency situations.

• Addressing fire and weather hazards by labeling and securing all flame-retardant materials, glass components, and sensitive gear.

6. Use Of Subpar Construction Materials

The result of a project mainly relies on the type of material and components used in the process of construction. Contractors who do not take into account the quality of construction materials often underquote the price, which is one of the red flags when hiring a contractor. 

A good contractor knows the importance of quality materials and also ensures each component complies with building codes and safety standards. If you are looking for quality building materials with a guarantee for stability, design, and durability, check out the range at Alisuq. 

To sum it up, mistakes are an inevitable part of construction, but measures can be taken to avoid major contractions in the process. A little error can lead to great physical and financial distress, which is why it is essential for general construction contractors to understand common construction mistakes before taking on their first project.