Ask any construction veteran, and they’ll tell you that problems on the construction site are inevitable. Things just seem to go wrong, and with surprising regularity. Experienced professionals build these snags into their business plans. Startups: not so much. Of course, if you’re just starting your own business, the last thing you want is to be wiped out by a foreseeable issue. Here’s a head’s up of some of the problems you’re like to face as a construction startup. They’re more common than you might think.
A Worker Gets Injured
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Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in which to work. Construction workers are around 4.5 times more likely to get injured than the average worker. Don’t just assume that because you’ve done a risk assessment that injuries won’t happen. They will. And when they do, you need to be ready. Top professionals recommend that construction companies get legal counsel if a worker is injured. Legal counsel is there to make sure that the company is protected, and that they can get fair compensation from the insurer. Experts also recommend that firms contact the insurer immediately, informing them of the injury. It can sometimes take a long time for an employee to launch a claim. If they wait a year, and you haven’t told the insurer, the insurer may not cover the claim, citing “fair notice.” Make sure your insurer has plenty of notice ahead of any potential claim, even if the injuries seem minor.
You Don’t Set Up The Worksite Properly
So, you’ve got all the equipment you need and all the materials on site? Great. There’s just one problem: the site isn’t setup for heavy machinery. After a couple of days, the ground is shredded, and half of your equipment is stuck in the mud. Don’t make this mistake. Invest in some rig matting and ensure that all your equipment is adequately supported.
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The Owner Doesn’t Like The Quality Of The Work
If you’re just starting out in the construction industry, there’s a chance your work won’t be of a high standard. Owners will quickly pull you up on this. And they can use it to delay or refuse payment. Often inexperience isn’t the only cause or wonky doors and poor millwork. Sometimes it’s because the architect doesn’t show up often enough to discuss the progress of the build. Other times, it can be because the owner themselves doesn’t want to pay for additional services. It’s best to be upfront about what you can and can’t achieve with your limited budget before quality becomes an issue.
You Don’t Get Along With The Architect
Contractors and architects often have disagreements. The contractor will pursue a particular project in the way that makes sense from a cost and building perspective. But the architect might want a project to be undertaken with entirely different goals in mind. This can cause architects and contractors to disagree about the direction of the build. In most situations, the two parties would part ways and do business elsewhere. But on construction projects, architects and construction firms need to work together for the client. The advice, therefore, is to interview architects first before agreeing to work with them.
