10 Signs Your Building Project Is Going Off Track (And How to Fix It)

Most building projects do not fail suddenly. They drift, and the drift is visible months before the crisis if you know what to look for.

The Warning Signs

Early or inflated progress claims, a programme that stops being updated, variations issued verbally, trades arriving out of sequence, and site meetings that produce no written minutes are the five most common indicators.

How to Fix It

Reinstate written reporting. A one-page fortnightly report with dated photographs, a current programme, and a variations register resolves most disputes before they start.

Which warning sign matters most?

Progress claims running ahead of works — it is the earliest and most reliable indicator.

How often should I receive reports?

Fortnightly, in writing, with dated photographs and a current programme.

Can a drifting project be recovered?

Usually, if reporting and contract administration are reinstated early enough.