Common Causes for Delays in Your Custom Home Project

Project delays are one of the most notorious aspects of the new home construction process and, indeed, any home renovation project. Every homeowner dreads delays to their custom home projects, but they’re typically inevitable. However, they can be minimized with the help of an experienced custom home contractor.

Being aware of the most common causes of delays and working with your custom home builders to anticipate and mitigate these issues can help you ensure that your custom build goes smoothly and is completed on time. To get you started, here are four of the most common causes of delays when building custom homes.

Weather Changes

One of the most common causes of delays in a custom home project is unpredictable weather. Since most of the new home construction process takes place outside, nature can wreak havoc on the construction process, resulting in significant delays. Extreme temperatures, heavy rain, and strong winds can make it impossible for construction work to continue, and your custom home builders will have to wait until the weather passes before they can begin work again.

Although adverse weather can never be entirely avoided, being away of the weather conditions in your area can help you avoid weather-related delays as much as possible. Before starting your project, talk to your custom home contractor about potential weather risks and how they plan to mitigate them. It’s also important to have a contingency plan in case of unexpected weather changes. This can include scheduling additional workdays during optimal weather conditions or working on interior portions of the house during days with bad weather.

Increased Scope

Another common reason for delays in a custom home project is an increase in the project’s scope. As an excited future homeowner, it’s natural to want to add more features or upgrades to your dream home. However, making these changes late in the process can significantly impact the construction timeline and create delays. 

Your custom home builder will need to adjust the construction plan, obtain additional permits, and source new materials, all of which can lead to significant delays. To avoid these delays, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your home’s design and features before construction begins. Work closely with your builder to finalize the project scope and communicate any changes in a timely manner. Delayed communication from the homeowner and miscommunication between home construction companies are the biggest cause of project scope-related delays.

Material Delays

When undergoing new home construction, countless materials need to be ordered since the home is being built from the ground up. As a result, there are virtually endless opportunities for delays and issues with receiving the proper materials in a timely manner.

The construction industry relies heavily on the timely delivery of materials, and any delay in receiving them can significantly impact the construction timeline. In many cases, these delays are beyond the control of your custom home builder, as it depends on the manufacturer or supplier sending the materials. Sometimes materials may be out of stock, get lost during delivery, break in transit, or even end up being an entirely incorrect item.

The key to avoiding material delays is to assume that they will happen. An experienced custom home contractor will add buffer time into the timeline that accounts for some delay. It’s also best to plan ahead as much as possible. Before starting the construction process, your home builder should have a clear idea of the materials needed and their estimated delivery time. They can place orders in advance and track their status to ensure timely delivery. If a delay in material delivery is expected, your builder should make alternative arrangements or adjust the construction timeline accordingly.

Poor Communication

Finally, one of the most common — and most avoidable — causes of delays in the new home construction process is poor communication. Effective communication between the homeowner, builder, and contractors is crucial for the timely completion of the project. Miscommunication or lack of communication can lead to errors, changes in plans, and delays.

To avoid communication-related delays, it’s important to establish clear lines of communication with your custom home builders from the start. Make sure to discuss how often you will receive construction updates and how you will communicate with your custom home contractor in case of any changes or concerns. At NS Builders, we assign a dedicated project manager to each homeowner, so you have a clear and attentive point of contact at all times, minimizing confusion and opportunity for miscommunication.

It’s also vital to clearly and promptly communicate any changes or concerns to your builder, as this will allow them to address the issue and make necessary adjustments without delay. Effective communication is a two-way street between the builder and the homeowner.

If you’re seeking a premier home-building experience, NS Builders is here to help. We pledge to be your lifelong partner in the new home construction journey, working alongside you to create a custom home that fosters decades of happy memories for you and your loved ones. No matter your design goals, our team of home builders has the knowledge, resources, and experience to turn your dream home into a reality, on time and within budget. Let us show you the difference that our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction can make. Give us a call at 774-381-7821, or contact us online and book a design consultation for your custom home today.