Common construction risks involve a range of issues from worksite injuries to supply chain disruptions, significantly impacting contractors and project owners. These risks highlight the importance of adopting effective risk management strategies in the construction sector.
Construction firms in Sarasota, Fl, face many risks: worksite injuries, skilled labor shortages, cash flow problems, contract disputes, job site theft, defects in workmanship and material, weather delays, and supply interruptions, to name just a few. One study found that construction companies have the lowest survival rate of any type of startup, with only 36.4% still in business after five years. Understanding the most serious construction risks contractors face in Florida can help you better appreciate the perils and pitfalls in this field and develop smart risk mitigation strategies. Here are five top risks to be aware of:
- Skilled Labor Shortages and Injuries — The Associated General Contractors of America found that 78% of construction firms are having trouble finding qualified workers. A skilled labor shortage, an aging workforce, and an influx of inexperienced workers are driving up costs and increasing injuries on worksites. Construction continues to lead all industries in the total number of worker deaths each year.
- Construction Defect Claims — Construction defects are on the rise. Deficiencies run the gamut, from poor workmanship to serious design flaws that can cause property damage, injury, and even death. Most contracts have a one-year warranty period, making it hard to reach settlements on latent defects that aren’t evident until years after the work has been completed. In addition, commercial general liability (CGL) policies exclude many types of defects, and some courts have ruled that CGL policies don’t cover construction defects.
- Unrealistic Growth — Increasing demand and competition are driving contractors to take on more jobs and bigger projects that are beyond their capacity. The Surety & Fidelity Association of America found that overextension (taking on too much work) was the No. 1 reason why construction firms fail. Specifically, these failures were tied to inexperience with new types of work, expansion into new geographic areas, significant increases in the size of projects, and rapid expansion.
- Cash Flow and Accounting Problems — Construction is a capital-intensive business, and contractors often find themselves strapped for cash. Construction firms run the risk of becoming overleveraged, tying up working capital in multiple projects and investing in expensive assets like heavy equipment, vehicles, and tools. Contractors may underbid a project or fall behind in billing. Or they might not accurately estimate their costs or efficiently procure supplies. As a result, they often encounter financial difficulties.
- Job Site Risks — Contractors don’t always adequately protect their job sites, exposing workers to injury and leaving property vulnerable to damage or theft. If the site isn’t properly secured, equipment, tools, and materials may be stolen or damaged. Workers and visitors to the site may be at risk if proper safety standards aren’t followed. In addition, the danger of a fire is quite high on a construction site. All of these risks can result in costly losses and expensive liability exposure.
Warning signs
These are the more consequential construction risks you’re faced with today, but there are other risks as well. The Surety Information Office has compiled a list of warning signs that your construction firm may be experiencing ineffective financial management systems, bank lines of credit constantly borrowed to the limit, poor estimating or job cost reporting, poor project management, lack of a comprehensive business plan, and communication problems.
Managing Subcontractors to Mitigate Construction Risk
Construction may be risky, but there are measures you can take to protect your company. High among those is managing the construction risks your subcontractors bring to a project. These exposures can cause immediate, long-term, and sometimes irreparable harm to your projects. The following precautions will go a long way toward ensuring your project is satisfactorily completed and your firm is financially strong at the end:
- Vet subcontractors thoroughly before hiring them.
- Make sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
- Hold subcontractors to contracts that clearly state job requirements and establish who is liable for what.
- Communicate with subcontractors regularly.
- Establish a detailed work schedule.
- Document job progress.
Partnering with Atlas, an insurance professional versed in Sarasota’s construction environment, can also ensure comprehensive protection tailored to the specific risks of this location, helping safeguard your projects and financial stability.
