When we consider the construction process and how important it is for effective building projects, one can highlight the use of power tools like the concrete mixer to emphasise the importance of proper planning. Roads, buildings, bridges and more are carefully planned and built to provide access to transportation, public and private facilities and residences and spaces to use for recreation.

 

Any and every building or construction needs to be meticulously planned and specific processes implemented to create safe, functional and long-lasting projects. Besides the rules and regulations in place, builders, individuals and construction companies need to be responsible throughout the process or risk infrastructure issues down the road while also putting lives at risk.

 

Let’s explore the most common mistakes made in the construction process, their consequences and how they can be avoided to ensure functioning and effective infrastructure and spaces.

 

 

Inadequate Planning

 

Many believe that the most complex or essential part of any construction project is the physical act of setting the foundation and building a building, brick by brick. However, the most important part is planning. Planning involves assigning a budget, allocating capital across all the resources needed for the project, and how long it will take to complete. Planning is usually the first step in any successful endeavour, and this doesn’t just apply to buildings or big projects but also to everyday construction jobs.

 

A lack of planning in the construction industry leads to the misallocation of resources, meaning that they end up with not enough equipment or materials to complete the project correctly, which leads to budget overruns, and the project ends up costing more than it was supposed to, which turn leads to financial implications and delays, in some cases to meet these shortages, some construction companies may even cut corners in the building process which would, in turn, can make construction projects even more unsafe.

 

For example, having concrete mixers on site ensures that the workers can mix adequate amounts of concrete needed. Still, if they are short on materials, they cannot use the concrete mixer and the project is delayed until more materials are brought in.

 

Besides causing delays and extra costs, a lack of planning can also affect the workers on site. Safety measures need to be outlined and implemented in the beginning to ensure workers are adequately trained to handle a variety of processes, and proper safety equipment needs to be supplied to ensure their safety.

 

By taking the time to plan properly and bringing in professionals to consult, those in charge of the project can ensure that the project is completed in time, with the right amount of materials available, and that everyone on site is safe throughout the process, leading to the project being completed effectively, up to standards and in time.

 

Poor Design

 

Poor design may not affect the work in progress, but it will be a shocking realisation when looking at the finished product.

 

Think of the infamous building at 20 Fenchurch Street in London’s financial centre. At almost 40 stories tall, the building has been nicknamed the “Walkie Scortchie” after an incident where the building melted a Jaguar parked on the street. This was caused by the building’s unusual curvilinear shape facing south. The building was constructed entirely out of glass, which not only reflected the sunlight but also concentrated the light at this unique angle, making it dangerous.

 

Nearby buildings also complained about smouldering temperatures, carpets catching on fire and tiles cracking due to the reflective structure. The issue has not yet been resolved but will undoubtedly be costly.

 

If the finished project is not up to standard or has design flaws, it will need to be reworked. This entails costly redesigns, which means that more time will be required before the building is complete, and time is money.

 

Poor design also leads to wastage, which is a waste of resources that could have been allocated to other parts of the process. For example, if a concrete mixer is used to mix more concrete than is needed, then that concrete goes to waste. Still, in most cases, concrete mixers are a cost-effective method to mix concrete, as it can be done in smaller quantities to avoid waste, compared to a concrete mixing truck, which delivers a large amount.

 

Poor design leads to quality issues and safety risks, and the project cannot be completed until these issues are rectified, as it will be unfit to use until this is done. Failure in the design stage leads to unstable buildings, not weather resistant, not sustainable, or just a lack of the desired look and feel of the finished project.

 

 

Involving experienced architects and engineers in the design process will ensure that the finished project is up to regulations, can function as it should, is safe to use and will last as it was intended. The design should be revisited multiple times along the way in case adjustments need to be made and to ensure that everything is going according to plan and that projects are being done correctly.

 

Unreliable Workers And Contractors

 

It can be said that a building project is only as good as the people laying the bricks, which is why hiring the right people or company is essential for a successful project.

 

Clients or contractors often make the mistake of choosing the wrong people to get the job done, being either inexperienced or unreliable, and this can be for many reasons. Usually, the cheaper option appears more desirable, and cheaper labour is hired to cut costs, but the work they produce is not of high quality and often does not meet the standards expected. Unreliable contractors can also cause project delays, increasing the overall cost by running overtime and wasting resources.

 

Choosing reputable, trustworthy and experienced sub-contractors and workforces is essential and has a profound influence on the outcome. It is worth researching and finding the right people, regardless of the price, as the wrong people will cost you more money at the end of the day. Having to halt the project halfway to seek a new team to complete it is costly and time-consuming, so instead, get it right the first time.

 

Poor Communication

 

Many different people with different expertise are involved in construction projects, and it is easy for miscommunication to happen along the chain of management. This leads to misunderstandings and mistakes. Miscommunication between architects and engineers in the planning and design stages can lead to design errors that are realised too late and take time to fix. Communication errors between contractors and workers can lead to jobs being done in the wrong order, materials and resources missing when they are needed on a specific day and more.

 

Proper communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and allows the process to run smoothly. Regular updates and check-ins between all levels of the project can assist with keeping things on track and in line with a collective plan and vision.

 

 

Unsatisfied Clients

 

The construction crew may have the skills and expertise to finish the job, but the client has the final say. Whether it is a house, a shopping mall or a freeway being built, there is always a person or group of people funding the project, and they need to be happy with the outcome.

 

If the client feels that their vision was not heard, if the project does not function as they intended or if it is not how they asked it to look aesthetically, this can cause problems. The concrete mixer will have to be brought out to mix more concrete to continue building. Bulldozers were brought out to clear out areas, and other equipment was put back in use to rectify what the client was unhappy with. Minor problems like the wrong fittings or windows being put in are far more rectifiable than issues like the building facing the wrong way or walls being put up where they shouldn’t.

 

Having proper meetings beforehand, having plans thoroughly explained, checked and approved and keeping the client in the loop will ensure that the outcome is what they asked for.

 

Building Violations

 

Building violations occur when the construction project gets underway without following the legal processes, including following zoning regulations and not complying with building codes as stipulated by the area they are building in.

 

The local municipality has land and zoning regulations that need to be followed, stipulating how high the building is allowed to go and what the land can be used for. Commercial properties can often not be built in residential areas, as the ground is reserved for residential use only.

 

Other violations include safety, accessibility and historical violations. These are not easy to navigate but must be adhered to. Construction cannot harm the environment by causing land erosion or pollution. In some regions around the world, public buildings need to be built in a way that makes them accessible to people with disabilities. Historic preservation is put in place to prevent historical landmarks or land, and these areas cannot be altered or built on without approval.

 

Safety rules come standard, and art is put in place to protect the workers on site by maintaining a safe environment to prevent injury or even death. Not following the safety rules can have legal implications and compensation claims from workers.

 

Getting permits and permissions before construction starts is essential for the project to run smoothly. Failing to comply with even the most minor regulations will halt construction for an indefinite period. Next time you see a dormant construction site with dry concrete mixers, untouched scaffolding, and equipment nowhere to be seen, it may be because the builders did not comply with regulations, or broke rules, and were made to stop.

 

Concrete Mixer: A Smooth Construction Process

 

Now that we have gone over everything not to do, you’re one step closer to planning your next big project.

 

Proper planning, appropriate safety measures, following regulations, and adequate communication make completing your project on time and within your budget more manageable. Besides taking the proper measures, you also need the right equipment.

 

Today, we’re highlighting concrete mixers ability to save you time and money and versatile uses across various projects of different sizes. A concrete mixer is mobile, meaning you can transport it to set it up in the most convenient location on-site and move it if necessary to make it accessible.

 

A concrete mixer mixes concrete in single batches, so you can regulate how much concrete is mixed at any given time and mix more if needed. This usually eliminates unnecessary wastage.

 

Concrete Mixer From BS Power

 

When planning your next big or small project, you’ll most likely need a concrete mixer, and BS Power has one for you!

 

Choose to invest and purchase a concrete mixer or hire one for your one-time project. BS Power has a range of materials, equipment and machinery for all things building and outdoor, making it easy to get the job done.

 

When planning your next project, follow all the necessary steps to avoid the common building mistakes that cost you time and money, and then don’t forget to visit BS Power to equip yourself with everything you need to get the job done from your concrete mixer to a generator to power your site.