Construction Problem Center
Why Construction Projects Go Over Budget
Cost overruns are rarely caused by one big mistake — they're usually the sum of small, unmanaged decisions made without reference to a budget.
Common causes
- Starting construction without a proper BQ or detailed estimate
- Frequent design changes once construction has started
- No contingency allowance built into the original budget
- Material price fluctuations not accounted for
- Poor procurement — buying materials piecemeal at higher prices
- No one tracking actual spend against the budget as work progresses
When to get a professional assessment
- • No BQ or budget was prepared before construction began
- • You can't say how much has been spent so far versus planned
- • Frequent 'extra' costs your contractor didn't originally quote
This information is general guidance for planning purposes and is not a substitute for an in-person professional assessment. Every building and site is different — a TEKEEY engineer can confirm the actual cause and recommend next steps.
Request a site inspection
A TEKEEY engineer will visit, assess the issue, and recommend next steps.
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