FTG ENG | eBooks

Problem 1: Probability of Rework Rework in construction shouldn't be confused with change orders. Often caused by gaps in communication, bad information, or mismeasurement in the field, rework is ultimately the result of unintentional errors that must be fixed. No matter who is responsible for the error, rework is a costly undertaking that requires ripping and replacing already- completed work, and ultimately doing the same work more than once. In addition to creating workflow and scheduling hassles, rework can break the budget. Consider the additional materials you may need to order or equipment you have to rent, not to mention the additional labor required to rectify the mistake. Even worse, the indirect costs of rework—such as investigating what went wrong and the extra planning required to fix it—can be greater than the direct costs, in some cases six times as high. 7 At the end of the day, someone has to pay for the work that wasn't executed as intended, and if it involved your crew, that responsibility will likely fall on you. As if that isn't hard enough to swallow, rework can also shine an unwanted spotlight on your firm's reputation and cast doubt on the quality of your work. Given the lasting impact that rework can have, both financially and professionally, anything you can do to reduce the probability of it is worth exploring. Solution: Perform Layout with Greater Accuracy A technology tool that can help you accurately and efficiently place layout points in the field can help you minimize—even eliminate—costly rework. When you're able to perform layout precisely, you can avoid the mistakes and miscalculations that are too easily made when layout tasks are done with manual tools and processes. Because the tool does the positioning work, you're able to move freely about the site and see potential issues at the layout stage, before they become mistakes that require rework. You're able to catch any design issues quickly and ensure work is executed correctly in the field the first time. You can also use a robotic layout solution to record layout work performed, providing greater visibility into the jobsite and work in progress. When your field team has the ability to easily share site feedback and potential issues with office personnel, you're able to facilitate better communication and collaboration. This shift alone can have a positive ripple effect on your company culture, not to mention your profitability. How Technology Helps You Avoid 3 Costly Construction Problems There are three problems that seem to crop up time and again in construction. More than just a pesky nuisance, they can be expensive issues that hurt your profit margin and hinder your company's ability to grow. Rework is so common in construction that it accounts for 30% of the work performed 5 and 12-15% of total costs. 6 52% of rework globally is caused by poor data and miscommunication. 8

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