The world of real estate management is undoubtedly interesting, active and complex, especially when it comes to architectural projects. It is very common for clients to contract the services of an architectural firm with the aim of building or remodeling a specific property. It is the perfect occasion for that architect firm to demonstrate its professionalism and experience in this field, and to avoid delays in the delivery of the project. How to avoid delays in the execution of architectural projects?
CONTROL FROM THE BEGINNING
It is critical to clearly define each phase of the project from the outset. Good professionals in the sector are very clear about the importance of setting concrete and realistic deadlines. For example, when determining a date for the completion of the project, it should be borne in mind that some formalities related to documentation may require considerable time to be authorized by the municipal technicians of the Town Hall. Not thinking about this detail can lead to delays in architectural projects.
It is important that the communication with the client is precise, fluid and permanent so that the phases of construction of the work are established and known in order for all parties to have a clearer idea of the actual times that will be used in phases such as design or construction, as well as the availability of materials that will be needed. Likewise, orders must be strictly controlled in order to guarantee their supply.
UPDATED PROJECT INFORMATION
It is essential to have a breakdown of the information of the project, where they appear in detail all the necessities that the work requires. However, sometimes unforeseen events can occur and lead to delays in construction.
Many connoisseurs, such as David Joaquin Delgado Hernandez, professor and lecturer at the University of Mexico, identify three types of delays in the delivery of architectural projects:
Severe delays: those that impact the completion date of the project and can be caused by a delay in some of its phases, leading to a global delay of the project.
Excusable delays: a delay that can be justified by the contractor or builder, but is not responsible for it. For example, it may be the case that the client wants to change the end date of the project because it needs to be inaugurated on a certain date, or that the suppliers did not supply the material on time.
Recoverable delays: If, for example, weather is not favorable on the construction site, and work days are lost for safety reasons.
Bureaucracy: One of the reasons for delays in projects. Currently, in most parts of the world, delays in the delivery of architectural projects are caused by bureaucracy. In countries such as Spain, it can take between ten and twelve months to complete the paperwork related to the execution of buildings. This is how Carlos Polanco explains it in an article published in the newspaper El Mundo:
“The city councils are the wall in which the aspirations of the real estate promoters to reduce the terms of their buildings collide. The municipal technicians receive all the projects that apply for approval, a procedure that those affected consider to be prolonged beyond what is necessary and for unjustified reasons.”
He goes on to say:
“Indeed, the granting of an urban planning license is a regulated act. That is, one whose approval is subject to purely objective criteria. If they are complied with, no reason can be given for rejecting the request. This, in theory, is the guarantee of a quick and frictionless process, an ideal that crumbles when translated into practice.”
PLANNING: THE BEST ALLY
Leaving aside the Public Administrations, it must be emphasized that delays in the execution of architectural projects can be avoided. Planning will be important for this. Within this aspect, several factors intervene that will prevent the existence of delays in constructions.
It is important, at the time of establishing the contract, to extend the delivery times of projects and to avoid inefficient controls due to bad communication. Finding alternatives to streamline documentation, taking into account new technologies, may be, as mentioned above, a way to help put an end to bureaucratic obstacles.
The technical architect, in charge of controlling the work, must have knowledge of each of the construction processes of the project, a key aspect that will avoid delays in the execution of architectural projects.
ARQUIFACH, ARCHITECTURAL FIRM IN CALPE
Acquaah is an architectural firm that operates throughout the Costa Blanca, more specifically in Calpe, Aleta, Benison, Truvada and Moreira. It has more than 46 years of experience in the construction, architecture and urbanism sectors and has a professional team specialized in different fields of architectural design, construction, planning, pathology reports, valuations and advice in general.
