Why Do Projects Go Over Budget? How Permagard Helps Reduce Project Costs
Rising material costs, unforeseen circumstances, underordering and delivery delays - all of these can lead to a project going over budget. Most professionals will experience a project overrun at some point in their career, but when it does repeatedly occur, it can lead to serious cash flow and reputational issues.
At Permagard, we do all we can to make professionals’ lives easier, from job kits and bulk buy deals to drastically cutting down time on site. Keep reading to see how you can stick to your budget with ease.
Why Do Projects Go Over Budget?
When a budget is tight but costs and time on site continue to spiral, it can lead to tough conversations and profit losses - but why exactly do projects keep going over budget?
- Material and equipment costs - fluctuating prices, mark ups and supply chain issues all contribute to rising material costs.
- Unforeseen issues - such as faulty products or discovering mould behind plasterboard or rotting timbers can lead to unquoted work that suddenly needs to be squeezed in.
- Incomplete curing or setting - some materials, such as concrete, require suitable conditions and correct application to cure properly and within expected timescales. If applied in the wrong circumstances - like in bad weather, if working outside - you could be spending more time on site than initially scoped.
- Idle time on site - with incomplete curing or material delays comes idle time on site, or even a lot of overtime in a bid to get the job done on time.
- Callbacks - there’s no money to be made when called back to fix failing products.
As you can see from the above, it’s not just the material and labour costs that impact project budgets. It’s the little, often unexpected things, like delivery delays, poor quality materials and even uncontrollable things like the British weather.
How to Cut Project Costs
Staying on budget means doing more than just buying the cheapest products - it’s a balancing act between purchasing quality materials and spending minimal hours on the job. Maintaining that balance isn’t always easy, but there are ways to help keep costs low, such as:
- Using high quality products with high quality finishes.
- Smarter purchasing decisions, such as making the most of deals and bulk purchases.
- Simple installation processes that eliminate room for error.
- Enhancing efficiency - reducing unnecessary time on site helps improve profitability.
Here’s how Permagard’s products help keep project costs under control.
Specialist Job Kits
We stock specialist job kits to remove the hassle of sourcing products and help keep costs down. They help take the guesswork out of project specs as everything is pre-measured and comes at once, meaning less time waiting for materials to show up.
This is especially valuable for injection creams and epoxy products. You need to know the correct ratios when mixing to ensure the correct installation and drying times. Our kits take the maths out for you, reducing the risk of specification errors and ensuring you have the right components from the outset.
A few examples of our kits include:
- PermaSEAL PRO DPC Injection Kit
- PermaSEAL 8 Clear 40m² Waterproof Membrane Kit
- PermaSEAL 3 Damp Proof Membrane Kit 10m²
Bulk purchasing can also help reduce delays caused by unexpected stock shortages or repeat ordering during a project. You save on delivery fees, too, as you’re not purchasing multiple products throughout your project. Shop some of our bulk deals below:
Quick & Easy Application
If your job starts to overrun, you’ll likely find yourself either putting in extra hours for nothing to get everything done, or having a difficult conversation with a client.
Complicated mixing processes, long curing times and even multi-coat systems can all lengthen project time. So we’ve kept things simple where possible. Our products are designed for speed, with simple mixing and installation processes and minimal coats where possible.
Products like MicroShield ULTRA - which prevents penetrating damp with just one coat - and PermaSEAL PRO DPC Cream ensure maximum efficiency. Our MicroShield ULTRA has a cream consistency that prevents run off and minimises any mess, keeping the installation process as smooth and simple as possible.
Long Lasting Products
Budget products can save you money upfront - but as they fail over time, the maintenance costs can quickly rack up. If you continuously rely on these products, it may cause reputational damage, too.
High quality products improve long-term performance and reduce the likelihood of premature failure. While they can feel like more of an investment upfront, they will prove their worth in the long run. They significantly reduce the need for callouts or emergency repairs, leaving you with complete confidence that you’ve done the best job for your customers.
Our PermaSEAL membranes, like the 3 Mesh Membrane 20m² and 20 Waterproof Floor Membrane 20m², have a life expectancy of 50 years, while MicroShield ULTRA lasts for 25+ years and the PermaSEAL PRO DPC Cream offers permanent protection.
Fully Stocked Trade Counter
There’s nothing worse than being on the job and realising you’re a roll of membrane short, or your facade cream doesn’t quite cover the whole building. Last minute scrambling can lead to purchasing overpriced products that may not always be the best quality, impacting long-term performance, as mentioned above.
Our warehouse is fully stocked to ensure speedy delivery. Place your order before 2 pm for same day dispatch, delivered within 1-3 days. You can also collect your products from our trade counter in Avonmouth, just off the M5, within 15 minutes. And for super urgent jobs, you can always drop in and pay over the counter.
Technical Guidance
Choosing unsuitable products or applying them incorrectly can result in issues during and after a job, leading to longer project times and, in worst cases, repurchasing products to reapply. While there will always be room for error, a simple installation process can improve product performance, reduce callbacks and time on site.
We’ve created comprehensive guides to help minimise room for error and help with application. Consisting of our years of experience, industry knowledge and close collaboration with all our customers, our blogs break down product applications, the latest industry insights, compliance and more. All this helps you feel confident when using Permagard for your projects.
Some of our guides include:
- The Complete Guide to Wall Tanking & Waterproofing
- Tanking a Cellar – How to Guide
- How to Install Epoxy Flooring
- How to Lay A Liquid Epoxy Damp Proof Membrane
If you’re scoping for a project, our in-house technical team is also available for free expert advice before ordering what you need, to make sure you have everything you need at the right price.
Saving Money With Permagard
As mentioned earlier, sticking to your project budget means providing high quality solutions without compromising on costs. We work closely with professionals to find the right products that align with their budgets, whether it’s a large, multi-property project or a quick job.
Get in touch with our team today; call us on 0117 982 3282 or email us at: [email protected].
