A New Dawn
In Construction How the Pandemic Has Impacted Condominium & HOA Projects
— By Patrick Bach, RS, MEng of David Bach & Associates, LLC — F
or nearly two years now, we have experienced unprecedented challenges and delays at every level of construction,
including manufacturing, materials shortages, government orders, labor force disruptions, design, permitting, and field inspections. Many projects suddenly stopped, were not started, or were subject to slowdowns and delays. Condominiums and HOAs have been apprehensive about starting major projects due to potential disruptions the work may have caused, owners working remotely from home, ability to fund, and potential health risks.
A Disrupted Supply Chain
The global supply chain continues to remain disrupted. Materials sourced from other countries are nearly all delayed. Recently, news agencies have reported that swarms of idle ships anchored offshore of our port cities are waiting to offload their cargo. Truck driver shortages have led to overcrowded shipyards full of shipping containers.
Some of these shipping containers most likely include various types of specialty siding, hardware, electrical and plumbing supplies, sealants, and raw materials. Building
10 Community Associations Journal | January-February 2022
product shortages have contributed to significant delays in construction schedules and project completion. Contractors have been adapting by finding US suppliers where possible and looking to architects and specifiers to approve substitute products.
Overseas-sourced materials are severely delayed. Swarms of ships wait to offload cargo while truck driver shortages have shipyards overcrowded with stalled containers.
Shortages and Higher Costs
Product shortages have led to an increase in material costs. Lumber and plywood costs have nearly tripled from a year ago. This has resulted in contractors submitting material cost increase change orders on projects already under contract and higher bids on projects not yet contracted.
Some owner/contractor agreements include language to protect the association from bearing the cost of material increases; however, the agreement may allow the contractor
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