Construction project delays are a persistent challenge in the industry. According to a 2023 global construction survey by KPMG, only half of owners said their projects are being completed on time. Depending on the project size and length of delay, construction delays on commercial projects can significantly escalate project costs.
Two of the major factors compounding project delays today are labor shortages and adverse weather conditions.
Issues like these are holding up construction projects, resulting in missed deadlines, cost overruns, and contractual disputes. Keeping construction projects on track requires building materials like insulated metal panels (IMPs) that are designed to accelerate construction by reducing the need for field labor.
THE CAUSE OF DELAYS
Ongoing skilled labor shortages and workforce constraints are slowing down construction projects. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report revealed that construction job openings increased 60 percent in August with 138,000 more job openings in this sector than in the previous month. That increase represents the largest month-over-month increase on record, according to Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). ABC projects that in 2025, the industry will need to bring in nearly 454,000 new workers on top of normal hiring to meet industry demand.
Labor shortages are also wreaking havoc on construction backlogs. A November report from ABC showed construction backlogs are roughly 8.4 months across the country. Though some backlog is healthy for contractors, too much can deter new clients and lead to financial losses.
As the gap between demand and supply of construction workers continues to widen, construction project timelines are going beyond original estimates, driving up costs and delaying projects.
Construction planning software company Touchplan recently captured data from users on over 321,000 scheduled construction tasks to identify the issues that are having the biggest impact on construction project schedules. One of the top reasons for schedule variances related to staffing/crew/manpower issues, which resulted in 65,000 variances.
Adverse weather such as heavy rain and snowstorms is another reason why construction schedules are delayed and disrupted. Weather conditions can slow down construction processes, disrupt schedules, and delay work, especially during the early phases of projects. Touchplan data revealed that weather-related events caused 17,350 delays in construction tasks throughout the year, impacting material delivery, labor productivity, and overall project timelines.
FASTER BUILD SPEEDS
IMPs deliver faster build speeds compared to traditional site-built, multi-component wall enclosure systems. A prefabricated, ready-to-install, single-component system, IMPs require only one type of installer, rather than multiple trades, reducing the need for field labor. At a time when labor is in short supply, reducing the need for multiple trades is critical to help keep projects on schedule.
IMPs also provide strong spanning capabilities. This time-saving feature allows large areas to be covered quickly, which helps accelerate speed of build.
A time-lapse video can show that it can take half as much time to install IMPs compared to traditional multi-component wall systems.
All of these features allow IMPs to provide a weathertight building envelope in reduced time, delivering a speed-of-build advantage that gets projects dried-in faster, allows trades to move forward with interior work sooner, and minimizes construction delays.
OTHER KEY BENEFITS
Speed of build is not the only advantage of IMPs.
IMPs also deliver unmatched thermal efficiency and a full vapor and water barrier, offering high R-values of up to R-8.0 per inch. An energy-efficient cladding option that cuts down on building heating and cooling costs, IMPs are increasingly important in the construction industry’s drive to meet specific energy targets. These panels provide continuous insulation that helps seal the building enclosure and inhibit energy loss more effectively than uninsulated concrete wall assemblies.
Today, IMPs are also playing a role in eco-friendly building practices that help companies achieve net-zero energy and carbon-neutral targets. The high R-values and strong thermal performance offered by these panels help reduce energy consumption and lower GHG emissions.
IMPs are also a cost-effective alternative to traditional building materials like tilt-up concrete. One comparison study found that the installed costs of one manufacturer’s IMP wall systems “were on average 25 percent lower in the United States and 27 percent lower in Canada compared to insulated precast and tilt-up concrete walls. The potential cost savings ranged from averages of 18 to 32 percent, depending on location, with the variation being largely driven by differences in local labor costs.”
Design flexibility is another benefit of IMPs. This flexibility makes it easier for architects to design buildings that reflect brand. Offering ample design possibilities, IMPs come in a wide range of both standard and custom colors, a variety of textures and finishes, and an extensive selection of innovative panel profiles. These panels can also be arranged both vertically and/or horizontally to help create visually striking structures.
Durability is also a standout feature of IMPs. Designed to last for decades with minimal upkeep, these panels require less maintenance than many other exterior wall systems. They remain both air and weather tight and provide consistent high thermal performance over the life of the building.
WRAPPING UP
Project delays are a common risk in the construction industry. These delays can significantly increase construction costs, lead to loss of revenue, missed opportunities, and reputational damage.
Designing and building with IMPs is an effective option for keeping construction project delays at bay. Requiring only one type of installer, IMPs are helping keep construction projects on track, providing a streamlined approach to building envelopes that can impact construction timelines and costs without sacrificing design and durability.
about the author
Karim Muri is vice president of marketing services and strategy development for Kingspan Insulated Panels North America. Muri has led strategic marketing in the construction products market for nearly 20 years. His global experience includes leadership roles in Australia and the United States, working in both the residential and commercial building sectors. For more, visit www.kingspan.com.