Construction projects hold a considerable amount of potential and promise for project owners; you are bringing to life a new space, from the ground up. Whether it’s residential or commercial space, you are ultimately creating a new, engaging environment.
However, construction projects also bring several moving parts that may result in a significant dispute. As the project owner or property manager, you need to be able to identify potential red flags in a project before it becomes a severe issue.
Continued delays
Delays are common with large, complex projects – especially if there are specific requirements or design elements to be upheld. However, there should not always be constant string delays because more delays mean more expenses for you to cover. There are even circumstances where consistent delays make a project’s completion impossible.
Labor shortages
Contractors are responsible for providing an adequate amount of subcontractors or employees to complete a project on time. However, you may notice significant shortages in labor, possibly causing delays in the completion schedule. Usually, it’s a sign of a deeper problem with the project, such as trouble with payments or conflict between the contractor and its staff.
Changes in leadership
The right supervisors and project managers guarantee the success of a construction project, but if you notice top leaders in the project leave or move positions, it’s a sign that there are more problems underneath the surface.
Unexplained changes in activities
Projects typically follow a strict schedule and have particular tasks that each person has to complete by its deadline. Although, there are times where a contractor may have to modify the plan or the sequence of the tasks to complete the project. If you noticed a project manager is continually changing or adjusting the work activities, it might show a potential problem related to scheduling or budget.
Red flags are easy to spot but difficult to address. You may not want to cause a dispute and create more problems for your project. However, there are times when conflicts are necessary, and you need to ensure your standards are met. Meet with an attorney if there are concerns about a potential construction dispute.