If you work in the construction industry, chances are you’ve dealt with a dispute. The industry is moving faster than ever with an increase in mega-projects of greater complexity, multiple stakeholders, and sometimes hundreds of people involved on a project. Add in a labor shortage, supply chain issues, and a global pandemic and there is more room than ever for disputes to occur.
Disputes benefit no one. They lead to major delays, hurt relationships, added stress, and of course financial setbacks. The 2021 Global Construction Disputes Report, shows a significant increase in disputes over the past few years. The global average value of disputes in 2020 was $54.26 million. Among regions surveyed, the buildings (education, healthcare, retail/commercial, government) sector saw the most disputes.
How can TraceAir help?
Know what you’re getting into
The best way to deal with disputes is to avoid them before they begin.
By using TraceAir to do a 3D aerial scan before your project begins so you can fully understand current site conditions and plan accordingly. Are there stockpiles on the property that will need to be removed? Hills or valleys that will have to be leveled or filled?
Traditional surveying uses approximations to measure between data points, however, drones provide more detailed accuracy. A TraceAir drone scan will provide hundreds of thousands more data points in the same area in much less time. More data points provide more accurate measurements of things like stockpiles or changing terrains on the project. This increased accuracy is why drone scans are favorable.
This data can be used to create budgets and schedules. It can also be used to ask all the right questions upfront so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Clear communication
Even with all the planning in the world, not being able to clearly communicate plans and changes is bound to lead to disputes.
The number one cause of disputes discovered by the Global Construction Disputes Report was owners, contractors, and subcontractors failing to understand and/or comply with its contractual obligations.
TraceAir makes it easy to communicate and collaborate instantly using a mobile-friendly web platform. Users can make fast decisions using overlays of project documentation and user-added data. Notes and markups can be added and easily shared with the whole team.
Data-driven decisions
Not using data to make decisions is a recipe for disaster. TraceAir allows you to make decisions using real data, allowing little to no room for discrepancies.
Here are a few ways to use TraceAir to eliminate human error:
- Check as-built lots before having them surveyed
- Confirm completed work prior to billing
- Manage dirt balance
Should a dispute arise, having accurate, time-stamped data to discuss is hard to argue with. Read how Independent Construction used TraceAir to resolve a billing dispute.
With TraceAir, we resolved this issue in days instead of weeks, and we recouped tens of thousands of dollars that otherwise would have been lost."
– Ron Nooteboom, Independent Construction, Vice President of Operations
One source of data
When working with multiple contractors, most likely they are using their own project management software's. Using multiple sources of managing data leaves major gaps for disputes.
TraceAir makes it easy for everyone from stakeholders to contractors to use our platform and have access to the same data, overlays, notes, and more. There is no software, everything is web-based. We also provide unlimited licenses so everyone can use TraceAir.
Track progress
TraceAir recommends our clients conduct a drone scan at the beginning of their project and then once a week through completion. This allows for very accurate tracking of progress and also a clear record that can always be revisited if needed. Our aerial images are accurate within 1/10th of a foot, identifying and preventing errors in the field before they become costly.
One of our clients was able to use their weekly TraceAir scans to see when the grading contractor mistakenly excavated beyond the limit. By catching this error early, the client estimated they were able to save the project $10,000 in rework costs. Without this weekly scan this most likely would have gone unnoticed.
A proven solution
Working in the construction industry, especially during a global pandemic, is challenging enough without disputes. Implementing tools like TraceAir is a proven way to avoid disputes, saving time, money, and stress. Schedule a demo to see how it works!