Most construction projects face delays, with over half lasting one to three months or longer. New research reveals why—and how contractors are reducing risk through earlier planning and procurement.
BRUNSWICK, Maine, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- New research from STARC Systems, developed in partnership with Construction Dive, reveals that project delays have become the norm across the construction industry—and that many of the most impactful causes are preventable.
Based on a survey of 150 construction leaders, the report finds that only one in three contractors say most of their projects start on time, while more than half of delays last one to three months or longer.
While labor shortages remain the most commonly cited factor, the research shows that planning, procurement, and coordination gaps are among the most overlooked contributors to schedule delays.
Delays Are Widespread—and Costly
Key findings from the report include:
- Only 1 in 3 contractors say most projects start on time
- More than 50% of delays last one to three months or longer
- Labor shortages are the top driver, cited by 48% of respondents
- Contractors report multiple downstream impacts, including reduced margins (81%) and increased labor costs (73%)
"What stood out is just how normal project delays have become—and how deeply rooted the causes are," said Mike Lauze, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Growth Strategy at STARC Systems. "Contractors understand the pressure points. The opportunity now is taking earlier, more intentional action to reduce risk before projects begin."
A Shift Toward What Contractors Can Control
While external factors like labor availability, supply chain volatility, and weather remain difficult to predict, the report highlights a growing shift toward controlling upstream decisions.
Top-performing contractors are increasingly:
- Engaging procurement teams earlier in the project lifecycle
- Improving coordination between preconstruction and field teams
- Rethinking how materials, equipment, and jobsite setup are planned
- Standardizing approaches across projects to improve consistency
Enhanced project planning was identified as the most effective strategy for reducing delays, cited by 79% of respondents.
Procurement and Vendor Strategy: An Underused Lever
Despite its impact, procurement remains underutilized in delay prevention. Only about half of contractors include procurement teams in decisions related to project start readiness.
At the same time:
- Just 25% of contractors cite vendor management as a key delay-reduction strategy
- Nearly two-thirds (62%) still rely on just-in-time (JIT) inventory approaches, which can increase exposure to delays
The findings suggest a major opportunity for contractors to reduce risk by rethinking how materials and equipment are sourced, managed, and deployed earlier in the project lifecycle.
From Reactive to Proactive
The report points to an industry at an inflection point: while delays are widely expected, leading contractors are moving upstream—focusing on early-stage decisions that improve jobsite readiness and reduce uncertainty.
By integrating procurement more strategically and adopting more standardized, repeatable approaches, contractors can better control outcomes in an increasingly unpredictable environment.
Access the Full Report
The full report, What's Really Causing Project Delays—and How Contractors Can Take Back Control, provides detailed data, benchmarks, and strategies based on insights from construction leaders across the industry.
Download the report: https://info.starcsystems.com/project-delays
About STARC Systems
Founded in Maine, STARC Systems designs and manufactures reusable temporary construction wall systems that help contractors safely contain active construction areas while minimizing disruption to occupants and operations. STARC solutions are used nationwide in environments where safety, containment, and operational continuity are critical.
For more information, visit www.starcsystems.com.
Media Contact
John Farrell, STARC Systems, 1 207-607-7217, [email protected], https://starcsystems.com/
SOURCE STARC Systems
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