How a developer can protect money and time while building: advice on controlling costs, deadlines and risks.
Once construction starts, a developer faces new challenges: controlling the quality of works, keeping contractors on schedule, spotting deviations before small problems become big. City Expert works closely with developers from Serbia and the region; we spoke to civil engineer Aleksandar Vlajković, director of the supervision company ASE Consulting Expert doo.
Where is money most easily lost?
One of the biggest problems before construction can be poor, incomplete design documentation that the developer cannot check at the time. Buyers who contracted apartments of a certain position and size can also become a problem if the design changes during the works. Developers should engage professional supervision as consultants before the works begin, so that shortcomings in the documentation are found in time.
Supervision during the works, not at the end
If the developer is not on site every day, the basic control system should be professional supervision that visits the site regularly from the start and reports problems in time. All phases matter, but above all the protection of the foundation pit towards neighbouring buildings and the reinforced-concrete structure. A good site visit records remarks with instructions to contractors; besides daily reports, weekly site meetings with contractors, subcontractors and designers should record problems and solutions.
Is the project following the plan?
A dynamic work plan tells the developer when to buy materials and when to contract individual works. When a phase is late, contractors are asked to add workers and machinery, or additional contractors are engaged.
A delay is not only about deadlines
Where buyers pay instalments tied to the stage of completion, a delay in one phase affects the developer’s cash flow; larger delays can mean contractual penalties towards buyers. Digital tools for daily and weekly reports help, but the engineer’s judgement on site remains irreplaceable.
City Expert and ASE Consulting Expert
City Expert is a strategic partner for developers through the phases of a project, from choosing the plot onwards; once construction starts, ASE Consulting Expert can help monitor the works systematically through professional supervision.