Benjamin Franklin is often credited with coining the phrase “time is money,” but some research suggests that this phrase may have originated in ancient Greek philosophy. No matter where it originated, the phrase captures an important concept: Time is a valuable resource. This saying is commonly heard today in the construction industry. In construction, the total time spent on a project directly impacts costs. Project delays escalate costs, supporting the adage that time is indeed money. Today, one significant factor in construction project delays is the lack of skilled workers, which leads to cost overruns, disruptions, and legal disputes. Keeping construction projects on track requires building materials such as insulated metal panels (IMPs) designed to accelerate construction and maximize efficiency by reducing the need for field labor.
Labor shortages delay construction projects
As mentioned, ongoing skilled labor shortages and workforce constraints are stalling construction projects. A workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Arcoro in July and August found that 94 percent of construction firms are having trouble filling positions, particularly among the craft workforce, which performs the bulk of onsite construction work. The survey also revealed that workforce shortages impact contractors’ ability to build projects; 54 percent reported project delays because of workforce shortages. According to the survey, labor shortages are more likely to cause project delays than other issues, such as supply chain challenges and shipping delays. Between July 2023 and July 2024, construction planning software company Moca Systems Inc. captured data from users of its Touchplan software on more than 321,000 scheduled construction tasks to identify the issues with the most significant impact on construction project schedules. One of the top reasons for schedule variances was staffing issues, resulting in 65,000 changes. The construction industry is projected to continue facing labor shortages, with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) estimating in a study in 2025 that the industry will need to bring in nearly 454,000 new workers on top of normal hiring to meet demand. Construction backlogs are one of the impacts of persistent labor shortages. A December report from ABC showed construction backlogs are roughly 8.4 months across the country. Though some backlogs are healthy for contractors, too much can deter new clients and lead to financial losses. As the gap between demand and supply of construction workers widens, project timelines go beyond original estimates, driving up costs and delaying projects.
IMPs keep construction projects on track
IMPs can deliver faster build speeds than site-built wall and roof enclosure systems. A prefabricated, ready-to-install, and single-component system, IMPs require a single installer rather than multiple trades, reducing the need for field labor. At a time when labor is in short supply, reducing the need for skilled trades is essential to help keep projects on schedule. IMPs also provide strong spanning capabilities. This time-saving feature allows large areas to be covered quickly, which helps accelerate the build speed. According to the Metal Construction Association’s (MCA) Selection Guideline for Insulated Metal Panels, IMPs can be erected at a rate of up to 465 m2 (5,000 sf) per eight-hour shift by a four-person crew on an industrial project and up to 102 m2 (1,100 sf) per
eight-hour shift by a four-person crew on an architectural project.
These features allow IMPs to provide a weathertight building envelope in reduced time, fast-track construction, and deliver a speed-of-build advantage that gets projects dried in quicker. They also enable trades to move forward with interior work sooner, minimizing construction delays.
Other key benefits of IMPs
The speed of building is just one of the many advantages of IMPs. Installed IMPs can cost less than insulated precast and tilt-up concrete walls. IMPs also deliver high thermal efficiency and a full vapor and water barrier, offering high R-values of up to R-8 per 25 mm (1 in.). An energy-efficient cladding option that helps reduce building heating and cooling costs, airtight IMPs with strong thermal resistance are increasingly crucial in the construction industry’s drive to meet specific energy targets. These panels provide continuous insulation, which helps seal a building enclosure and inhibit energy loss.
Another key benefit of IMPs is design flexibility. This flexibility makes it easy for architects to design buildings that reflect the associated brand. Offering many design possibilities, IMPs come in a wide range of standard and custom colors, various textures and finishes, and an extensive selection of panel profiles. These panels can also be arranged vertically and/or horizontally to help create visually striking structures.
IMPs are also compatible with other building materials, such as brick and concrete, allowing for visually appealing and contrasting designs. Various protruding fins can also be used with IMPs, allowing architects and designers to make their projects stand out.
Another feature of IMPs is their long-term durability. Designed to last for decades with minimal upkeep, these panels require minimal maintenance. They remain air-and weather-tight and provide consistent high-thermal performance throughout the life of the building.
Wrapping up
Project delays are a common risk in the construction industry. These delays can significantly increase construction costs and lead to loss of revenue, missed opportunities, and reputational damage. Designing and building with IMPs is an effective strategy to avoid delays in construction projects. As labor shortages and weather conditions continue to wreak havoc on construction schedules, IMPs can help keep construction projects on track, providing a streamlined approach to building envelopes that can positively impact construction timelines and costs.
Karim Muri is vice president of marketing services and strategy development for Kingspan Insulated Panels North America. He has led strategic construction product marketing for nearly 20 years. He has global experience in leadership roles in Australia and the United States, working in the residential and commercial building sectors.