5 Mistakes Developers Make That Cost Time
When it comes to property development, time is money. Every delay, whether it’s waiting on approvals, fixing overlooked compliance issues, or redoing work cuts into margins and pushes projects off track.
The good news? Many of the biggest time-wasting mistakes are avoidable with the right preparation and advice. Here are five of the most common pitfalls we see at JC Engineers and how to sidestep them.
1. Leaving Engineering Too Late
Too often, developers focus on design and council approvals first, only to discover late in the process that engineering input is needed. By the time an engineer is engaged, design revisions, additional reports, or council clarifications may be required adding weeks (or months) to the timeline.
How to avoid it: Involve your engineer early. A quick review in the concept phase can flag potential issues before plans are lodged, saving time and costly redesigns later.
2. Submitting Incomplete or Generic Documentation
Certifiers and councils don’t like guesswork. Missing forms, generic designs, or documents that don’t address site-specific conditions almost guarantee your application will be delayed or rejected.
How to avoid it: Ensure all engineering certifications (e.g. Form 15s), soil tests, and structural designs are completed and site-specific before submission. Clear, accurate documents get the green light faster.
3. Underestimating Compliance Requirements
Every site has unique requirements, wind ratings, flood overlays, retaining walls, easements, and more. Developers who overlook these early often face knockbacks during approvals or even mid-construction, forcing rework and delays.
How to avoid it: Work with engineers familiar with local council standards and environmental factors. They’ll identify compliance risks upfront and design solutions that satisfy the rules.
4. Poor Communication Between Stakeholders
Misalignment between developers, designers, engineers, and certifiers is one of the biggest causes of lost time. Small misunderstandings like who’s responsible for stormwater design can snowball into weeks of back-and-forth.
How to avoid it: Choose a consultant who values collaboration. At JC Engineers, our planners and engineers work together, and we keep builders and certifiers in the loop to prevent bottlenecks.
5. Skipping Site Inspections
It may seem like an easy saving to cut corners on inspections, but it almost always costs more time later. Missed defects, overlooked structural issues, or incorrect construction methods can lead to stop-work notices or failed certifications.
How to avoid it: Schedule inspections at key stages. A short visit from an engineer can save weeks of remediation work and keep your project moving.
The Bottom Line
Delays don’t just push timelines out they eat into profits, frustrate stakeholders, and sometimes put projects at risk of collapse. Avoiding these five mistakes won’t just save time; it will protect your budget and reputation too.
At JC Engineers, we help developers of all sizes build smarter by cutting through red tape, ensuring compliance, and keeping projects on track from start to finish.
Need engineering support that keeps your project moving?
👉 Contact JC Engineers today for practical, reliable advice and fast turnaround on certifications, reports, and inspections.
