Report Finds Late Payments, Not Just Weather, Behind Many Construction Delays

From detoured commutes to half-finished highways, construction delays are a daily frustration for many Americans. According to new research from Mobilization Funding, 91% of U.S. adults say they’ve had to change routes or plans because of construction, and 70% say those delays affect their daily lives.

While most people blame bad weather or poor planning, the 2025 Construction Delays and Payment Timing Report suggests another major factor: slow payments.

The study, based on surveys of 600 U.S. adults and 400 construction professionals, found that unpredictable weather remains the top disruptor, cited by 43% of respondents. But when payment delays occur, they tend to cause the most severe and lasting setbacks. Among projects affected by late payments, 76% lose at least a week and 38% lose more than three weeks.

Contractors said the biggest challenges come from high upfront costs and waiting on payments, forcing more than half of firms surveyed to turn down projects due to cash-flow risks.

“The public often assumes traffic cones and backups mean bad planning or bad weather,” said Scott Peper, CEO of Mobilization Funding. “But more often than people realize, crews are waiting on checks.”

The report recommends several practices to reduce delays, including securing mobilization funding before work begins, setting and publishing payment calendars, and offering accelerated pay options for subcontractors. Greater transparency around payment status can also help distinguish between weather- and funding-related slowdowns.

Peper said the key to on-time delivery lies in aligning cash flow with project schedules. “When the money runs with the work, subcontractors don’t carry the float, and contractors can deliver at full speed,” he said.