The 5 Biggest Causes of Delaying Your Build

Building or renovating a home is already a lengthy enough process in New Zealand. Even if you’ve sorted out consents and documentation, there could still be a plethora of issues waiting to trip you over. Here are 5 of the most deeply rooted causes of build delays in New Zealand, and the best ways to prevent them out.

Material

We all know the woes of having a delivery delayed. This is doubly important when working with new builds or renovations. Issues in the supply chain can withhold critical items from making their site debut on time, delaying work until their arrival. Main contractors frequently pre-order materials to ensure timely arrival. This is a great practice that locks in orders as soon as possible and frees up contingency time that can be used on delivery problems and availability issues.

Weather

Nobody is immune to New Zealand’s inclement weather, not even inanimate building materials. New builds and many kinds of renovation work all involve exposure to the elements. For safety and material integrity, many different parts of work are restricted to calmer weather. The contractor is typically most responsible for mitigating weather effects. To this extent, they will schedule in contingency days and set up weatherproof solutions on site to protect the materials from rain damage. Otherwise, planning builds during drier months and calmer seasons can also help, as well as giving the builders enough room to put tarps or storage for materials.

Budget

Often the foremost concern on most owners’ minds, budgeting plays a large role in ensuring your build finishes on time. Running out of budget is a real and relevant fear but can be mitigated by proactive planning. Setting aside a contingency fund is crucial for both peace of mind and project smoothness. Hidden problems along the way can often cause budget overrun and delays in building. Instead of committing all your prepared cash towards the scope of the renovation, setting aside a rainy-day fund is a prudent and wise choice.

Design & Communication

Typically between client & contractor, missteps in communication and design can cause significant upheaval of the entire project. If something doesn’t look how it’s supposed to, changes and debates can push the project back significantly. This can be mitigated by having the contractor provide detailed 3D renderings of the project, as well as clarifying specifications. On the contractor’s side, failing to obtain approved consent can also give way to lengthy delays. Both can be assuaged by choosing a trustworthy, reliable, and task-appropriate contractor.

Hidden Site Conditions

If work has already begun on your home, congratulations – but you’re not out of the fire yet. Some of the biggest delays can occur during the build, which can often lead to spiralling costs. One of the major causes is discovering unexpected problems with your home or site that hadn’t been accounted for previously. This could be anything from rotted wood, frayed wires, unstable ground, and much more.

Discovered only when work has begun in that area, these can be tricky to root out, but for renovations, one of the best ways is to check for possible moisture, structural, or systems damage, and if you suspect anything, a professional building inspection can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Renovations and new builds work best when planned for largely in advance. This period can span months or more. The best ways to prevent these 5 biggest causes of delaying your build is to have your home thoroughly checked, having materials ordered as soon as possible, hiring only trusted professionals, and transparent communication.

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