Few things put more pressure on a construction project than delays. Whether it’s a misaligned scope, material backlog, or unresponsive subcontractors, construction delays cost money, strain relationships, and damage reputations.
For General Contractors and Project Managers running large-scale jobs, avoiding delays means more than watching the calendar — it requires clear planning, fast communication, and partners who know how to execute under pressure. In this article, we break down the real causes of delays and what you can do to keep your
project moving.
What Do We Mean by “Construction Delay”?
Delays aren’t just missed deadlines. In construction, a delay is any unplanned event that disrupts the flow of work or shifts the project off its critical path.
Common types of delays:
● Excusable delays: caused by weather, unforeseen conditions, or site access issues
● Non-excusable delays: errors, poor planning, or crew-related issues
● Compensable delays: where the GC or owner may owe costs to the affected party
● Concurrent delays: two delays happening at the same time, complicating resolution
Understanding what kind of delay you’re facing helps define the next steps—and who owns
the responsibility.
What Actually Causes Construction Delays?
Let’s get specific. Here are the most common (and most frustrating) causes of delays on commercial jobs:
● Missing or late submittals: approvals not processed in time stall the next trade
● Inconsistent subcontractors: incomplete scopes or crews that disappear
● Change orders mid-execution: adjustments that weren’t forecasted or tracked properly
● Lack of manpower: not enough people on-site to hit pace goals
● Material delays: especially in specialty finishes or custom elements
● Coordination failures between trades: one trade blocks another
● Documentation gaps: unclear specs or outdated versions being followed
Delay Prevention Starts with Planning
Delays are rarely random. Most are preventable when you plan proactively.
Top prevention strategies:
● Solid preconstruction process: align all specs, teams, and timelines before breaking ground
● Clear subcontractor scopes: define deliverables with detail and review them with all teams
● Build in buffer zones: leave room in the schedule for inevitable adjustments
● Confirm all documentation: no trade moves forward without approvals and COs in place
● Use schedule-driven management: monitor critical path, not just total days
At RealPlan Construction Inc., we train our crews to respect the flow of work, communicate with the GC in real-time, and deliver scopes without dragging the timeline.
How to Respond to a Delay Without Losing Control
Even with great planning, delays happen. What matters is how fast you respond:
● Reassess the critical path immediately
● Bring in reinforcement crews to catch up on scopes (especially finish trades)
● Document everything (photos, emails, change impacts)
● Reset expectations with the client transparently
● Close open items quickly to avoid cascading effects
Your Timeline Is Only as Strong as Your Subcontractors
If you’re constantly chasing crews, approvals, or documentation, your project will never move as planned.
A reliable subcontractor:
● Mobilizes fast
● Brings their own management layer to the field
● Communicates scope progress daily
● Maintains documentation and approvals
● Adjusts quickly when change orders come in
RealPlan Construction Inc. is trusted by GCs across Massachusetts to keep work moving. From emergency crew coverage to fully scoped acoustical ceilings and painting packages, we show up ready to deliver.
Behind on Schedule? We Can Help
We support commercial construction teams across Massachusetts by providing structured, responsive, and professional subcontractor services.
Construction Delays Don’t Have to Derail Your Project
Delays are part of construction — but disaster doesn’t have to be. With the right processes, teams, and partners, even complex jobs can finish on time. At RealPlan, we understand how much pressure is on the schedule. We’re built to relieve it.