10 Common Mistakes Developers and Clients Make Before Starting a Build (and How to Avoid Them)
Starting a development project is exciting, but rushing in without the right preparation can lead to costly delays, disputes, and budget blowouts. Over the years, we’ve seen certain mistakes crop up again and again — even on otherwise well-planned schemes.
Here are 10 common mistakes developers make before breaking ground and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Coordinating the Design Team Early
Too often, architects, engineers, and specialist consultants work in silos. This leads to design clashes, missing information, and last-minute changes on site.
How to avoid it: Appoint and coordinate the full design team early, hold regular design meetings, and make sure the tender package is complete before sending it out.
2. Underestimating Pre-Commencement Planning Conditions
Planning conditions can delay a start on site if they’re not discharged in time.
How to avoid it: Review all conditions carefully, agree a programme for discharging them, and get early input from the relevant consultants.
3. No Clear Employer’s Requirements
Without a detailed scope, contractors will make assumptions — which can cause disputes and cost overruns later.
How to avoid it: Prepare a clear Employer’s Requirements (ERs) document, including specifications, drawings, and performance standards.
4. Choosing the Wrong Procurement Route
Selecting the wrong contract type can leave you exposed to delays, poor quality, or inflated costs.
How to avoid it: Seek professional advice on the most suitable procurement strategy for your project, whether that’s Design & Build, Traditional, or Prime Cost.
5. Not Allowing Enough Contingency
Even the best-planned projects face unforeseen costs.
How to avoid it: Include a realistic contingency in your budget — typically 5–10% depending on the project’s complexity and risk profile.
6. Overlooking Party Wall and Neighbourly Matters
Failing to address Party Wall requirements early can cause unnecessary delays.
How to avoid it: Check if the Party Wall etc. Act applies, serve notices in time, and consider neighbourly liaison to keep relationships positive.
7. Ignoring Utility and Service Diversions
Discovering late in the day that services need diverting can halt progress.
How to avoid it: Arrange surveys early to locate existing services and allow lead time for statutory undertakers to carry out any diversions.
8. Not Assessing Buildability
Designs that look good on paper may be difficult or expensive to build.
How to avoid it: Involve a construction professional early to review buildability, sequencing, and access. At ONFORM, our background in site carpentry and project delivery means we spot these issues before they cost money.
9. Rushing Contractor Selection
Choosing a contractor based purely on price can backfire.
How to avoid it: Assess contractors on quality, capacity, relevant experience, and financial stability — not just cost. Always review references and past projects.
10. Poor Risk Management
Risks like cost inflation, supply delays, or design errors need to be actively managed from day one.
How to avoid it: Maintain a risk register from pre-construction through to completion and review it regularly with your team.
In Summary
Successful developments are built on preparation. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll reduce the risk of disputes, delays, and budget overruns — and give your project the best chance of success.
If you’re planning a project in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, London or the surrounding areas, ONFORM can help coordinate your pre-construction phase, manage risk, and set your build up for success.