A recent survey for Sherwin-Williams reveals that nearly 9 in 10 construction professionals working on projects over $30 million have experienced significant delays. The report captures the growing strain on timelines, budgets and safety across the advanced manufacturing construction sector.
Delays Driven by Material and Weather Disruptions
The majority of respondents cited material availability (71%) and unpredictable weather (65%) as the top causes of project delays. These issues frequently interrupt construction progress, with delayed shipments and weather-related work stoppages becoming common hurdles on job sites.
Coatings and Construction Timelines
According to the report, one area with potential to mitigate such delays is the use of shop-applied protective coatings for structural steel. These coatings, applied off-site in a controlled environment, are ready to install on arrival, reducing weather-related downtime and improving scheduling reliability.
Worksite Safety Still a Top Concern
The survey also shed light on jobsite safety. Nearly half (45%) of respondents identified maintaining a safe worksite as a primary challenge. Alarmingly, more than 40% reported serious incidents involving falls from heights. Moving certain construction tasks off-site — such as fireproofing — was noted as a method for improving worker safety by limiting the need for elevated, in-field application.
Additional Survey Takeaways
- Budget management remains a pressing issue, with 53% of respondents naming it their biggest challenge.
- Performance over price is trending in fire protection coatings, with cure time (27%) ranking as the top factor in product selection.
- On-site coatings can cause substantial delays. Over 60% of respondents reported weather-related delays specific to the fireproofing process, averaging 3.4 months for field-applied coatings.
The survey included 194 construction professionals with a focus on large-scale projects. It offers insight into the persistent issues facing the construction of advanced manufacturing facilities and megaprojects across the U.S.
