What should a contractor do if they anticipate delays during a project?

Informing the owner as soon as possible when anticipating delays during a project is essential for maintaining clear communication and trust in the contractor-client relationship. By promptly alerting the owner, the contractor allows for proactive measures to be taken, such as adjusting timelines, reallocating resources, or discussing potential solutions to mitigate the impact of the delay. This open communication fosters transparency and provides the owner with the opportunity to plan accordingly, which is critical in managing expectations and avoiding misunderstandings about project progress.

In addition, notifying the owner early can help in safeguarding the contractor’s legal and contractual interests. Many contracts require timely communication regarding delays, and failing to do so could lead to disputes or claims for damages.

The other choices would not effectively address the issue of delays. For example, waiting until the project is complete fails to allow for any corrective actions and could damage the relationship with the owner. Keeping the situation to themselves limits any possibility for collaboration or assistance, and delegating the responsibility to a subcontractor could shift accountability but doesn’t facilitate the necessary communication with the owner, which is critical for project success.