Do everything to avoid construction contingencies

During construction work, every unforeseen event can cause delays, increase costs, and compromise quality. Weather conditions, communication issues, administrative delays… Obstacles are numerous and often unavoidable. Here are effective strategies to anticipate and minimize construction contingencies.

Construction contingencies: definition

Construction contingencies encompass all the setbacks that can disrupt a project. They affect timelines and budget.

What is a construction contingency ?

Construction contingencies are unforeseen events that disrupt the progress of a project. They alter the work schedule and generally increase costs. Some can be mitigated with appropriate measures, while others require finding alternative solutions.

Site managers and project supervisors know that it is impossible to predict everything and that even the best-planned projects can face unexpected obstacles. For example, it is common during the construction of a building to discover underground pipes not listed on the urban planning maps. And contingencies can be of any other nature.

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The most common construction contingencies

• Weather conditions: Extreme weather events such as heatwaves or heavy rainfall can cause temporary work suspensions.
• Geotechnical soil characteristics: In geologically unstable areas, the Élan law, through its article 68, requires prior soil studies to anticipate the risks of clay shrinkage or swelling.
• Unregistered obstacles in the DICT: Discovering underground structures like ducts or rocky outcrops can significantly delay the project.
• Unforeseen issues during demolition: Unexpected structural or material conditions often require planning adjustments and increased costs.
• Administrative delays: The validation and processing of permits can delay the start of the work.
• Communication breakdowns between teams: Gaps in information transmission can lead to execution errors and delays.
• Poor communication between teams: This can lead to misunderstandings and inconsistencies in task execution, causing delays.
• Poor project management: Poor coordination of operations can lead to delays and decreased productivity on-site.
• Subcontractor failure: A subcontractor's inability to meet their commitments can disrupt the project's timeline and budget.
• Theft of materials: Loss of materials or equipment requires replacements, which can impact the budget and schedule.
• Accidents on-site: Any safety incident can lead to a temporary halt in activities, affecting timelines and increasing costs.

This list is not exhaustive, and other types of contingencies may arise depending on the specific characteristics of the site and the project.

Why is it necessary to anticipate and avoid construction contingencies ?

Anticipating and avoiding construction contingencies is essential to ensure the success of a construction project. Here's why an anticipatory approach is necessary:

• Cost control: Anticipating unforeseen events helps maintain the initial budget. By identifying and managing risks early on, unexpected expenses are reduced, and project profitability is optimized.
• Meeting deadlines: Unmanaged contingencies can significantly delay progress. By implementing preventive measures, project timelines are respected, and consequences like delay penalties are avoided.
• Resource optimization: Proper management of human and material resources reduces inefficiency and downtime. By anticipating potential issues, the use of teams and equipment is optimized, ensuring sustained productivity and maintaining required quality standards on-site.
• Client satisfaction and trust: A well-managed project, free from unpleasant surprises and delays, improves client satisfaction. This strengthens trust in the company and opens the door for future collaborations.
• On-site safety: By anticipating risks, safety measures are reinforced, reducing accidents and creating a safer working environment for all involved.

How to avoid construction contingencies ?

Construction contingencies can lead to delays and numerous additional costs. To prevent them, the effectiveness of preparation and accuracy in monitoring the work are crucial.

It is essential to properly prepare the construction site

Proper preparation of the construction site is necessary to mitigate contingencies. Here are some tips to optimize your management:

• Prevent administrative delays: Submit your documents well before deadlines. Ensure that all required documents are included and maintain active communication with authorities to clarify processing times.
• Ensure site safety: Implement measures to secure the site, limiting the risks of accidents and theft. Regularly review safety during site meetings to increase awareness and prepare for effective intervention in case of incidents.
• Anticipate weather conditions: Adjust your planning to weather forecasts. Develop alternative plans to minimize disruptions caused by adverse weather.

Carry out rigorous monitoring of the construction site

Optimizing construction site monitoring allows for detecting and addressing issues as soon as they arise. Adhering to the technical file and execution plans prevents many setbacks.

Site meetings, organized by the project manager or construction supervisor, play a key role in tracking progress and quickly correcting mistakes. Reacting swiftly to unforeseen events is crucial to prevent a small issue from turning into a major delay. Maintaining a billing schedule based on work progress helps manage cash flow and cope with financial contingencies.

Having clear and effective communication between the office and the construction site

The benefits of good communication on-site are numerous. Easy communication between the office and the site is essential for reacting quickly to unforeseen events. It helps reduce delays and additional costs. The exchange of visual information, such as photos or videos of issues, increases clarity and accelerates decision-making.

Investing in specialized communication tools is a smart move. Construction tracking apps facilitate communication between the project management team and the workers. They allow real-time monitoring of the site and keep a record of encountered contingencies. They also simplify justifying additional work to the project owner.

A suitable software like Alobees can bridge the gap between the construction site and administrative services, helping avoid time losses due to permits, safety regulations, or material deliveries.

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Avoid contingencies and improve profitability with Alobees

Alobees is a construction tracking application designed to simplify and efficiently structure the role of the project manager. Its intuitive interface provides a clear and detailed view, helping to anticipate and manage contingencies quickly.

Some features of Alobees:

• Document centralization: Gather all essential documents in one place for quick, informed decision-making. This reduces the risk of administrative errors.
• All-terrain access: The app is available on PC, mobile, and tablets. Stay connected at all times, whether on-site, in the office, or on the go, to respond quickly to unforeseen events.
• Communication: Easily exchange and share important information, reducing the risks of misunderstandings and delays.
• Task planning and organization: Plan and track work precisely to optimize resource use and anticipate potential obstacles.
• Management of interventions and timesheets: Track your teams' schedules in real time and control labor costs, enabling quick responses to issues.
• Payroll variables: Easily collect payroll data from your field employees to simplify payroll management and avoid errors.

The application meets the needs of construction professionals by offering precision, efficiency, and complete control over projects. Try Alobees for free for 14 days and discover how to optimize the management of your construction projects.