Construction delays can erode deveopers' credibility in the long run

Delays and unmet schedules have become the phenomenal at most of the Middle East construction projects and sites. The delays have left the market with frustrated clients and contractors facing money losing situations.
Feasibility studies for these projects, based on certain periods and schedules to be achieved, have turned out to be unreliable.The right solutions must be found to overcome the uneasy situation that have started to be a feature of all the construction sites.

It is important to highlight the causes of these inevitable construction delays and the appropriate actions. The design process of any project plays a major role and many times the factor causing delays can be rectified at this stage itself.

When designers do not fully incorporate a client’s requirements or introduce new market trends, it proves a major factor for delays at many of the projects across the region because of the need for reworking. Smart systems can be one example.

Another reason could be the requirement from the facilities management company. Some clients recognize this issue and start to award design-built-operate and maintain contracts. A well-studied and designed project which fully meets the clients’ and the authorities’ requirements stands better chance to avoid such delays.

This stems from not needing to redesign due to unfulfilled requirements from the authorities or even time-consuming technical problems that could crop up later in the engineering stage of the project. Too many provisional sums force construction sites to receive contractors in the latter phases of the project.

This could increase mistakes due to a lack of co-ordination and unplanned jobs. Minimizing the provisional sums tracts in the tendering phase will save many delays. Many sites suffer due to an inability and lack of resources to award contractors.

Careful attention and accurate evaluation for the bidders and awarding the job to the right contractor can avoid the delays. One should remember that unrealistic construction schedules and milestones will be hard to stick by.
They also leave the contractors struggling and desperately trying to get an extension of the time claims, the target programs, and going for 24x7 working hours by doubling or tripling the manpower to catch up.

Once an accurate program is in place with the right duration and workforce allocations, strict implementation and adherence will push the project on the right track. All delays shall be monitored on weekly basis, stating the reasons, and the responsible party taking corrective actions.

Getting the approval from the concerned authorities – municipality, civil defense, water and electricity – in the design and executive phases could be a time-consuming task. Nobody can estimate exactly how long it will take for approvals and permits.

Delayed milestones such as sourcing the power or the cold water delivery from the district cooling company would hinder the whole project. So the earlier the contractors start, the better are their chances.
A dated action plan for all approvals should be prepared, and controlled and monitored carefully to ensure the utilities deliver to the project at the right time.

Addressing the labor issue

Many workers have no formal training or permit to execute their specific job, which not only means that the projects take longer, but also leads to an increase in on-site accidents. Worker conditions are generally bad.

The workers’ protests in Dubai may trigger labor initiatives all over the region for better salaries and accommodation. Low productivity and quality is the result of an unskilled and unsatisfied workforce on construction sites.

Training, better salaries and better accommodation for workers can help finish projects on time with a reasonable quality.

Low safety standards lead to injuries and fire accidents on sites, which in turn lead to further delays as well as loss of credibility for the contractor. Therefore, it is important to rise awareness about safety measures.

The logistic on-site and material storage spaces should be addressed in the beginning phases itself, especially in tower developments with no available space around.

The mobilization and demobilization the temporary power options will also save many working days.

Material supply

A shortage in the supply of materials, increase in steel and cement prices and the Gulf currencies’ connection to a declining dollar have been the other factors impacting on project time lines. Suppliers are overwhelmed by the demand and the delivery schedules and often fail to meet the client’s expectations.

The long lead item arrival dates should be monitored carefully to ensure material arrival schedules match the construction programs. A good idea is to plan ahead for material shortage possibility and to have alternative suppliers on standby for the critical long lead items.

The coming of new legislation may force the market scenarios to change. For example, projects may face a re-design situation to be in sync with the green standards that are to be enforced in Dubai soon.

Discussions about the five-day week laws are ongoing, and all are worried about more delays if this is applied.

Every aspect of construction project can lead to a delay in case is it not well planned.