Thursday, 8:00 am. That is the scheduled time when the crew from Cesar’s Concrete is going to be at your doorstep, ready to start your cement project. Whether you are getting that new stamped patio you have always dreamed about or having a cracked and damaged driveway or walkway replaced, you are eager for them to get there and begin the task. So it is entirely understandable that you are a little miffed or sad when you get a call and are told that the project is delayed. In fact, sometimes a concrete project can be delayed several times depending on the circumstance. But before you get too mad, you need to understand the reasons behind concrete projects and why they sometimes get delayed.
Occasional Delays are Inevitable
Delays are as frustrating for concrete contractors as they are for their clients. Time is money, and when a crew is forced to delay a concrete project, they are not making any money, and in some cases, they are losing money. We also understand that delaying a project will not make our clients very happy, which is something we want to avoid at any cost. But, unfortunately, there are times when we can’t start a project, and there is nothing we can do about it.
As with any business you deal with, you go in with very high expectations, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our clients are the people who pay for our food and make the car payments, they are critical for a successful business, and we would never purposefully do anything to upset them. But there are circumstances in which delays are inevitable.
The Reasons for Delays
Weather– While many of you are aware that concrete can not be poured in temperatures that are too cold or when it’s raining, there are other weather-related delays that can happen. Concrete cures best when the temperature is around 70 or 80 degrees, but as the temperatures rise, concrete poring becomes a problem. So your project can be delayed if it gets too hot outside. In addition, concrete cannot be poured on very windy days either. Weather is a fickle thing, and sometimes it changes at the last moment, and we are forced to inform you about the delay on short notice.
Project Timelines– Just like any other type of contractor, concrete contractors focus on doing the job the right way no matter what it takes. When you hire us or any other contractor, you expect us to do the job right, and we always promise to exceed your highest expectations. Because of this, some jobs will take longer due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, we might tear up a driveway only to notice the soil is bad, and we will need to bring in extra dirt to complete the project the right way. Of course, this delay will cause us to have to delay other projects, but we still think doing the job right the first time is paramount.
Equipment Failures– Due to the nature of concrete work, heavy machinery is often utilized. Therefore, there is always a small chance that a piece of equipment can fail and will need to be repaired or replaced before work can continue. But, again, this is always an unforeseeable delay, and we will always work diligently to rectify the situation.
All of the Small Things– There are also several other reasons why a project might be delayed; again, these are incidents that are out of our control, and we can’t change that. Like any other company, we rely heavily on our employees, and when they get sick or have an emergency, we are left short-handed. When this happens, it could lead to a project delay. Sometimes we run into something completely unexpected when we begin a project, like when we discover concrete that is reinforced with steel, and it takes much longer than expected to tear it out. We also run into delays when customers are forced to shift their schedules. These are just a few examples of minor problems that can cause project delays.
Communication and Flexibility
Should something come up and we are forced to delay your concrete project, we will let you know as soon as possible. We will always communicate with our customers concerning anything that might affect their project. We also want you to know that we are also a flexible company, and we will work with you in the event of an emergency situation. For example, if you are leaving for vacation or have a scheduling conflict and you need your project done at a specific time, we can work things out.
As professionals, we never cut corners when we do a project, and we always do the best work we can. We are heavily invested in our work, and we take every project very seriously. If we have to delay a job because your project needed extra time to complete correctly, then that is what we will do. The value to you is a final product that is done properly, and it is something you will enjoy for many years. So if we do have to delay your project, we apologize in advance. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give us a call.
