Why Fit-Out Projects Fall Behind: Top 5 Retail Fit-Out Delays in London

Did you know 7 in 10 business owners underestimate the time and money it takes to complete a fit-out project?

Whether it's a flagship store opening in Piccadilly or a pop-up shop in Camden, every project delay costs money. That’s not just contractor hours, it’s also lost trading days, missed marketing launches, and fractured client trust too.

At Gripple, we’ve worked with some of London’s largest retailers and contractors for 30 years now. So, we’re pretty well-versed in knowing the key culprits of project delays that crop up time and time again. In this blog, we are going to look at the five main causes and how you can avoid them.

1. Last Minute Changes

Plans don’t always go as planned, what looks good printed on a mock-up, might not translate right into real life. When you’ve got multiple layers of approvals involved, everyone wants a tweak here, there and everywhere. Even the smallest of changes can trigger a domino effect, knocking your project off-track.

How to avoid it: Use products that allow for adjustability. Traditional strut and rod systems must be cut to specific lengths on site, so any adjustments can mean a completely new install and typically require re-cutting, re-drilling and re-installing, which of course, adds a lot more time and materials onto the job.

Gripple’s wire suspension systems, however, allow for tool-free adjustment meaning you can alter and fine-tune your suspension if specifications change without needing to re-install.

2. Labour Shortages

It’s no secret the construction industry is facing a worsening skills shortage. In London, where fit-out projects are more common than anywhere else in the country, it can be felt even more intensely. Less experienced installers can make more mistakes, causing project delays, especially if work needs to be redone from scratch. Even worse, there might not be enough manpower on site to pick up the slack.

How to avoid it: Products like Fast Trak, Angel Hanger or Express Hanger are all designed with simplicity in mind and require minimal training, so installers, no matter their skill level, can get up to speed within minutes. The preassembled nature of these kits means installations can be completed up to six times faster than with traditional strut and threaded rod systems. This not only speeds up delivery but also reduces the need for larger teams on site. On a recent Waitrose fit-out project, the contractor saved 282 hours (more than half)! That’s 7 working weeks saved on labour alone!

3. Onsite Construction and Hot Works Permits

Traditional suspension systems rely on onsite cutting, which requires a hot works permit. This can cause delays due to the risk assessments and safety measures that need to take place before hot works can go ahead. Then, you’ve got the added delays should a mistake be made, and work has to start all over again. Not to mention all that wasted material.

How to avoid it: All Gripple’s suspension solutions can be installed without hot works. Whether you are opting for wire suspension or Gripple’s FastTrak prefabricated bracket system, your kits will arrive on site complete and ready to install.

4. Legal Compliance

The Golden Thread of Information, introduced by the Building Safety Act, touches on the entire construction chain. It’s not just specifiers and builders that are impacted; installers and fit-out contractors are also under pressure to hold clear, up-to-date records of materials used in a construction project to prove compliance. This might refer to fire-rated fixings, load ratings, safety factors or carbon reporting. Where such proof can’t be provided to whoever requests it, whether that’s the main contractor, building safety regulator, or just a responsible person, delays may ensue with a scramble to replace systems if need be.

How to avoid it: Make sure you know the products you’re using are reputable and compliant, with robust data to back up performance claims. Gripple’s solutions provide, as standard, detail on fire-testing, load ratings and safety factors, so you can be safe in the knowledge that all products used are compliant.

5. Unclear Plans

Ultimately, there are a lot of moving parts in a commercial fit-out project, and without a clear plan to align contractors and project activity, it can be difficult to keep pace with deadlines. If plans are too vague, it may impact material orders, causing delivery delays. Additionally, incorrect products may be installed which will need to be rectified later. This wastes labour, materials and time, delaying the completion date.

How to avoid it: Gripple offer FREE project take-offs where just by submitting your M&E plans, we’ll provide tailored recommendations on the best tools for the job, plus an accurate reading of how much time, labour and carbon you can save with our suspension solutions, turning your plans into a timesaving, cost-cutting, labour-light reality.

Learn more here, or book a free project consultation to see how Gripple can support your next low-carbon fit-out.