The construction industry in Alberta is an exciting and dynamic sector, but navigating project management can be challenging without a clear understanding of the unique regulatory landscape. Learn the key strategies to avoid delays in your Alberta construction project.
Inexcusable delay is caused by events that are outside of the contractor’s control, such as weather or natural disasters. Excusable delays should be outlined in your contract to ensure that you are protected.
Establish a detailed project schedule
Creating and updating a comprehensive project schedule is the best way to ensure that your construction projects stay on track. This step involves gathering information about each task that must be completed, and determining how long it will take to complete each task. It also requires listing all of the necessary materials, labor, and equipment required to complete each task. Once the look-ahead schedule has been established, it is important to update it on a regular basis based on actual progress made. This will help you to identify potential delays in your timeline and take proactive measures to prevent them from impacting your completion dates.
Ineffective communication with subcontractors, suppliers, and design teams can be one of the biggest causes of construction delay. To avoid this, it is important to establish clear lines of communication and regularly meet with stakeholders to address any issues as they arise. This can help to reduce miscommunication and disputes that could otherwise result in significant delay claims.
Another common cause of construction delay is unforeseen site conditions. These can include underground utilities, unstable soil conditions, or hidden structural issues. Dealing with these issues often takes more time and resources than expected, which can impact the overall project timeline. To avoid this, it is important to conduct thorough risk assessments and develop contingency plans for these events.
Unpredictable weather conditions can also delay construction projects. This is especially true in Alberta, where the weather can change drastically throughout the year. To avoid this, it is important to develop a robust weather monitoring system that can provide real-time updates about expected weather conditions. This will allow for more flexible scheduling and enable contractors to work in the best possible conditions.
It is also important to consider holidays, sick days, and vacations when calculating your construction schedule. These can add weeks to your timeline, so it is important to keep these factors in mind when establishing your project timeline. If you are unable to finish your construction project on time, it is important to create a new schedule and involve everyone in the process of coming up with a plan to catch up.
Communicate frequently with all parties
Construction projects are often complex, requiring the efforts of many different people and companies. It’s critical that everyone involved in a project has clear and open communication channels, so that problems can be addressed immediately and conflicts resolved. This can reduce misunderstandings, disputes and miscommunication that lead to delays.
Internal issues can cause significant project delays, especially when they result from a lack of collaboration and communication between project stakeholders. For example, if a subcontractor is not aware that their work is part of a larger build or timeline, it can delay every other aspect of the project. Inadequate communication can also cause rework and inefficient processes that eat into project schedules and budgets.
Inadequate coordination between project managers, engineers and contractors can also lead to delays. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including insufficient training, miscommunication or a lack of collaboration tools. The best way to address these issues is to ensure that all team members are properly trained and that they have access to the proper resources and support.
Other common causes of construction delays are due to regulatory issues and bureaucracy. This can include zoning requirements, environmental considerations, and compliance with local laws and codes. In order to avoid these delays, it is important to thoroughly research regulations and establish a proactive relationship with regulatory authorities. This can help minimize delays and prevent cost overruns.
It’s also important to establish a system of accountability and risk mitigation with your team. This includes creating clear documentation, conducting regular compliance checks and utilizing project management software. This will help you avoid delays and cost overruns by reducing the amount of time required to navigate red tape.
Another way to avoid delays is to develop a realistic schedule with a buffer. This allows you to account for unexpected events and ensures that your project will be completed on time. For example, if you know that you will be facing a delay in building materials because of a natural disaster or shortage, you can build a timeline that allows for the extra wait. This will give you the extra time to find solutions and get your project back on track.
Plan for unexpected events
While planning is essential to any construction project, even the most meticulously crafted plans are not immune to unexpected events that can cause delays. Whether it’s an environmental impact, unforeseen site conditions, material shortages, or weather-related problems, these issues can be difficult to resolve. To minimize the impact of these types of issues, construction teams should plan for them proactively by establishing timeline buffers and communicating with all stakeholders on a regular basis.
Working through Alberta winters can be challenging for construction crews, as extreme cold and unpredictable weather conditions often lead to delays and increased safety precautions. Unexpected events are common causes of construction delays, but many are avoidable if construction teams take steps to prevent them in advance. For example, some projects require permits from local authorities that can take time to obtain. Having a clear plan for obtaining these permits can minimize delays, and implementing effective communication channels can ensure that any unexpected changes are quickly communicated to all parties.
Other types of unforeseen events that can cause construction delays include unexpected underground utilities, unstable soil conditions, or hidden structural issues that must be dealt with. Having a contingency plan in place for dealing with these situations can help reduce the impact on the project schedule. In addition, ensuring that all workers have the proper safety equipment and training can also help mitigate these problems.
Another important aspect of preventing construction delays is having a system in place to track and monitor progress. This can be done through a variety of ways, including using software that offers real-time visibility into construction activities. By utilizing this type of tool, it’s easy for project managers to identify areas where improvements can be made and to quickly respond to issues that arise.
It’s also critical to understand the difference between a critical and non-critical delay. A critical delay can’t be made up, whereas a non-critical delay only adds additional time to the overall project completion date or the dates of other key milestones. Delays caused by unforeseen events are typically considered excusable, but it’s important to review the terms of the contract to be sure that this is the case.
Developing a robust plan for managing unforeseen events on your Alberta construction project is the best way to avoid construction delays. By ensuring that all employees are properly trained, establishing realistic timelines, communicating with stakeholders regularly, and utilizing technology that’s tailored to the local regulations, you can better ensure that your project is on target for a successful outcome.
Be prepared for builders’ liens
Construction delays are a fact of life in the industry and can be frustrating for everyone involved. However, with careful planning, you can minimize the risk of delay-related disputes. This includes being prepared for builders’ liens, a legal remedy that gives contractors, subcontractors, labourers, and suppliers the right to demand payment for work done.
Alberta’s dynamic construction landscape is home to a robust industry that plays an important role in the economy. In 2021 alone, the sector contributed over CAD 55 billion to the province’s GDP.
However, managing a successful project in this environment can be challenging without a firm understanding of the local construction law landscape and industry dynamics. This webinar will explore the key strategies and insights that can help you effectively navigate the unique complexities of Alberta’s construction industry.
Construction delays are costly for all parties involved, including contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. By establishing a detailed project schedule and communicating frequently with all stakeholders, you can prevent delays from occurring and keep your project on track. In addition, incorporating a little contingency time into your project plans can help mitigate the impact of unavoidable delays.
Another crucial part of being prepared for construction delays is knowing what to do if you are not paid for your work. The provincial Builder’s Lien Act provides contractors, subcontractors, labourers, or suppliers with the ability to file a builders’ lien against the land where they have worked to recover the money they are owed. A builders’ lien will prevent the land from being sold or transferred until the debt is satisfied.
However, registering a builders’ lien can be a lengthy and costly process. There are filing fees associated with the registration of a lien, and interest will also be applicable to the amount owed if it is not paid promptly. For these reasons, it is often better to pursue other methods of recovery such as legal action or placing an account with a collection agency.
A recent decision of the Court of Queen’s Bench serves as a reminder that merely supplying labour or materials to a project does not necessarily give rise to builders’ lien rights. When assessing whether work and materials supplied meet the requirements for registration of a builders’ lien, courts will consider contextual factors such as the nature of the project at issue.
