Reworking something on construction means to redo that particular task that was incorrectly done in the first place. You may be moving forward with your construction project but do something wrong and it can cost you a lot.
Construction projects
About 98% of the construction projects experience rework. It becomes a challenging task to devise a budget that not only accommodates everything under the budget. But, it should also deliver what is needed out of that construction project.
In each phase of construction, cutting costs is a challenging act.
What Is Construction Rework?
Construction is a complex industry, and you need to have experts by your side for this. No project is void of uncertainties, and that uncertainty can lead to construction rework. It can have a devastating impact on the project that affects its cost, schedule, and productivity.
Not only this, but it also affects the relations between the general contractors, trade contractors, laborers, and owners. That doubles the effect on the construction project.
Construction rework can happen for dozens of reasons such as:
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Lack of supervision
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Change of design
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Change of process
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Failed communication
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Poor procurement methods
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Schedule pressures
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Misunderstanding of clients requirements
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Limited resources
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Insufficient information
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Using bad materials
All this leads to construction rework and changing of designs as a whole that becomes too costly. Construction rework can cost you up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Construction rework cost
Construction rework can cost 5% of the total contract value and can increase work hours by 7.1%. This means cost overrun and going beyond the schedule.
Designers and contractors are responsible for sowing the seeds of rework in the earlier stages of the construction. The likelihood of construction rework increases when there is miscommunication in the early stage of the project.
How to Avoid Construction Rework?
As we now know that most of the construction rework is caused due to miscommunications at the beginning of a project, we can address the issues there. The main points we came up with to avoid construction rework are:
Emphasize On Communication
Communication is the key to state what you need out of your project. Many people are involved in a construction project from contractors to sub-contractors, owners, and laborers. When someone is about to suggest a necessary change in a project, he must inform every member of the team.
Previously, it was difficult to convey the idea to every member. But, now with the development of technology, it has become possible to use project management software and keep everyone in the loop.
Have Qualified Partners
Having partners, contractors, and builders on the team who are unqualified increases potential risks for the project. This can lead to cost and schedule overruns, misuse of materials, over-use of materials, and mistakes that a project cannot bear.
That’s why having an experienced construction team onboard becomes crucial from the very beginning of a construction project. They will help you in planning your project from the start while taking care of all ifs and buts.
Minimize Unnecessary Changes
Changes aren’t bad. Even some changes can develop a better construction project which otherwise wouldn’t be possible. However, the last-stage change can bring about many differences among the team. That makes it necessary to include trade contractors from the beginning of the project.
Trade contractors would tell if the project is constructible or not. When everyone knows the constructability of the project, avoidance of last-stage changes, and the project’s budget - everything goes more smoothly.
VDC and BIM
Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) are helpful to check the success of a project. It makes a digital model of the project and involves everything from electrical wiring, doors windows, terraces, and more. This allows builders to see the potential risks beforehand and mitigate them on time.
Also, you can make the necessary changes while designing instead of last-stage changes. BIM and VDC experts make the construction project and any possible changes in the designing process.
They test it and carry on the project that is the most suitable. Usually, the project is designed in CAD.
Wrap-up
Construction rework services can cost so much to the company. It not only cause schedule or cost overruns but affects the relations between the team as well. The right communication at the right time can minimize the changes needed later on.
Moreover, opting latest technology to check the project can give insights about the schedule, budget, and necessary changes on time.