Rework is something every construction worker wants to avoid. It causes so many issues from costs to delays, it’s worth making the extra effort to do your best to prevent it.
There’s nothing worse than starting a project only to find out that you have to go back and redo some of the work. Rework can be costly, time-consuming, and frustrating.
It’s one of the worst things anyone in construction ever wants to hear because of the after-effects. Rework impacts scheduling and costs, and sometimes, those costs can be as high as 20% of the total project cost. That’s why identifying causes and being proactive is so critical.
What Causes Rework?
There are many causes of rework. Here are five of the most common:
1. Poor Planning
If you don’t plan properly from the start, it’s likely that you’ll have to go back and redo some of the work later on.
Planning includes coordinating and sequencing. If work is performed out of order, it will result in work not being completed accurately or properly. This would then lead to a lot of removals and reinstallation, leading to a massive overhead cost.
Weather can also wreak havoc with planning and scheduling. Sudden weather changes can result in hastily completed work. It’s tempting to want to rush to get things done instead of taking the time to do it right when weather becomes uncomfortable or outright dangerous. Planning for weather interruptions is vital to the overall success of a project and to keep costs down.
What Causes Rework?
There are many causes of rework. Here are five of the most common:
1. Poor Planning
If you don’t plan properly from the start, it’s likely that you’ll have to go back and redo some of the work later on.
Planning includes coordinating and sequencing. If work is performed out of order, it will result in work not being completed accurately or properly. This would then lead to a lot of removals and reinstallation, leading to a massive overhead cost.
Weather can also wreak havoc with planning and scheduling. Sudden weather changes can result in hastily completed work. It’s tempting to want to rush to get things done instead of taking the time to do it right when weather becomes uncomfortable or outright dangerous. Planning for weather interruptions is vital to the overall success of a project and to keep costs down.
2. Lack of Communication
If there isn’t clear communication between all parties involved in a project, it’s likely that some tasks will be missed or not done properly.
Not having good communication will also lead to significant errors that have a major impact on the end result. You could end up with gaps in information, expectations, and project specs or even a fundamental misalignment of the protocols and hierarchy involved with respect to reaching out and asking for clarity or assistance.
You could also end up with supervision that operates under misunderstood parameters and communication could be dropped or misdirected when issues come up. Encouraging good communication doesn’t mean micromanagement, but it does mean ensuring that communicating isn’t difficult for anyone at any level.
2. Lack of Communication
If there isn’t clear communication between all parties involved in a project, it’s likely that some tasks will be missed or not done properly.
Not having good communication will also lead to significant errors that have a major impact on the end result. You could end up with gaps in information, expectations, and project specs or even a fundamental misalignment of the protocols and hierarchy involved with respect to reaching out and asking for clarity or assistance.
You could also end up with supervision that operates under misunderstood parameters and communication could be dropped or misdirected when issues come up. Encouraging good communication doesn’t mean micromanagement, but it does mean ensuring that communicating isn’t difficult for anyone at any level.
3. Changing Requirements
If the requirements for a project change after work has already begun, it’s likely that some of the work will have to be redone to meet the new specifications.
This includes design changes that are requested by the client after the plans have already been agreed upon. They may not understand how big of an issue a change request can be or how it will result in higher costs and possibly an extended delay.
Regardless of where the change request comes from, changes often lead to rework. The further along your construction project is when a request is made, the greater chances of significant amounts of rework that may be required.
3. Changing Requirements
If the requirements for a project change after work has already begun, it’s likely that some of the work will have to be redone to meet the new specifications.
This includes design changes that are requested by the client after the plans have already been agreed upon. They may not understand how big of an issue a change request can be or how it will result in higher costs and possibly an extended delay.
Regardless of where the change request comes from, changes often lead to rework. The further along your construction project is when a request is made, the greater chances of significant amounts of rework that may be required.
4. Poor Quality
If the workmanship is poor or the materials used are of low quality, it’s likely that some of the work will have to be redone. Even when the work is done correctly, if the materials do not properly meet the construction specifications, it could result in rework.
This can apply to concrete, glass, or any other construction material that does not meet the standards after installation. A lack of quality can also apply to any components that are electrical or mechanical that can cause damage after work has been done.
For example, an electrical circuit that isn’t closed properly and sparks can end up causing major safety issues and even structural fires if not replaced.
4. Poor Quality
If the workmanship is poor or the materials used are of low quality, it’s likely that some of the work will have to be redone. Even when the work is done correctly, if the materials do not properly meet the construction specifications, it could result in rework.
This can apply to concrete, glass, or any other construction material that does not meet the standards after installation. A lack of quality can also apply to any components that are electrical or mechanical that can cause damage after work has been done.
For example, an electrical circuit that isn’t closed properly and sparks can end up causing major safety issues and even structural fires if not replaced.
5. Mistakes
We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. If a mistake is made during a project, it’s likely that some of the work will have to be redone to fix it.
Examples of mistakes that can significantly impact rework include things like layout or location issues. If a plan is read incorrectly or misunderstood, you might end up putting in a framework that wasn’t supposed to go there. That results in rework being a necessary adjustment to meet the proper specifications.
5. Mistakes
We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. If a mistake is made during a project, it’s likely that some of the work will have to be redone to fix it.
Examples of mistakes that can significantly impact rework include things like layout or location issues. If a plan is read incorrectly or misunderstood, you might end up putting in a framework that wasn’t supposed to go there. That results in rework being a necessary adjustment to meet the proper specifications.
How To Avoid Rework
How To Avoid Rework
The best way to avoid rework is to identify its causes and take steps to prevent them. Be proactive where you can, and give yourself extra time to get the project completed. Here are some other fantastic tips to help you avoid rework:
1. Plan Properly
The best way to avoid rework due to poor planning is to plan properly from the start. Make sure you understand the requirements of the project and that all parties involved are on the same page. With GLXY Software Solutions, it becomes easier to plan everything out and ensure that everything is clear across the board.
1. Plan Properly
The best way to avoid rework due to poor planning is to plan properly from the start. Make sure you understand the requirements of the project and that all parties involved are on the same page. With GLXY Software Solutions, it becomes easier to plan everything out and ensure that everything is clear across the board.
How To Avoid Rework
How To Avoid Rework
The best way to avoid rework is to identify its causes and take steps to prevent them. Be proactive where you can, and give yourself extra time to get the project completed. Here are some other fantastic tips to help you avoid rework:
1. Plan Properly
The best way to avoid rework due to poor planning is to plan properly from the start. Make sure you understand the requirements of the project and that all parties involved are on the same page. With GLXY Software Solutions, it becomes easier to plan everything out and ensure that everything is clear across the board.
1. Plan Properly
The best way to avoid rework due to poor planning is to plan properly from the start. Make sure you understand the requirements of the project and that all parties involved are on the same page. With GLXY Software Solutions, it becomes easier to plan everything out and ensure that everything is clear across the board.
2. Communicate Clearly
To avoid rework due to a lack of communication, make sure you communicate clearly with all parties involved in the project. Make sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and that there is a clear understanding of what needs to be done. GLXY Software Solutions provides a fantastic option for clear communication and a point of reference for everyone involved.
2. Communicate Clearly
To avoid rework due to a lack of communication, make sure you communicate clearly with all parties involved in the project. Make sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and that there is a clear understanding of what needs to be done. GLXY Software Solutions provides a fantastic option for clear communication and a point of reference for everyone involved.
3. Avoid Changing Requirements
To avoid rework due to changing requirements, try to avoid making changes to the requirements after work has already begun. If changes are absolutely necessary, make sure all parties involved are aware of the changes and that the work can be completed to meet the new requirements. Notifications can be pushed out effectively when you use the GLXY Software Solutions platform to ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Avoid Changing Requirements
To avoid rework due to changing requirements, try to avoid making changes to the requirements after work has already begun. If changes are absolutely necessary, make sure all parties involved are aware of the changes and that the work can be completed to meet the new requirements. Notifications can be pushed out effectively when you use the GLXY Software Solutions platform to ensure everyone is on the same page.
4. Use High-Quality Materials
To avoid rework due to poor quality, use high-quality materials and make sure the workmanship is up to par. Using low-quality materials or doing poor work will only result in having to redo the work later. Even it it is more expensive to use the quality materials, it is likely to be more expensive to use cheaper materials that have to be redone later with higher-quality materials.
4. Use High-Quality Materials
To avoid rework due to poor quality, use high-quality materials and make sure the workmanship is up to par. Using low-quality materials or doing poor work will only result in having to redo the work later. Even it it is more expensive to use the quality materials, it is likely to be more expensive to use cheaper materials that have to be redone later with higher-quality materials.
5. Avoid Mistakes
To avoid rework due to mistakes, try to avoid making them in the first place. Pay attention to detail and double-check your work before moving on to the next task. If a mistake is made, take steps to fix it as soon as possible by notifying everyone involved.
5. Avoid Mistakes
To avoid rework due to mistakes, try to avoid making them in the first place. Pay attention to detail and double-check your work before moving on to the next task. If a mistake is made, take steps to fix it as soon as possible by notifying everyone involved.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that you want to avoid rework as much as possible due to the impact of costs and the way it can cause delays in your timeline. That means you need to take steps to prevent rework wherever possible.
Plan properly, communicate clearly, avoid changing requirements, use high-quality materials, and avoid mistakes to reduce the likelihood of having to redo work later on.
Rework can be costly, time-consuming, and frustrating. But by taking steps to prevent it, you can save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
For more information or help in preventing rework, see what GLXY Software Solutions can do for you!
