Like all construction projects, there are a range of risks and challenges that MDH developments must deal with as they progress.
The manner in which a project identifies and mitigates any serious quality, financial and legal implications these risks represent can make or break a project.
These are some common pitfalls for MDH developments – follow the links for more information:
- Untenable financial considerations, such as insufficient advance sales to secure construction funding, rising interest rates, restricted lending or global financial uncertainty – see Funding strategies and Financial risk.
- Shift in market conditions that result in reduced demand or oversupply or both – see Demand for MDH and Supply of MDH.
- Changing consumer preferences for location, community integration and dwelling size – see Market trends and Attitudes to MDH.
- Changing consumer perceptions of quality, safety, privacy and security – see Likes and dislikes.
- Consent delays, such as those caused by inadequate or incomplete design applications – see Incomplete applications.
- Unclear consent notifications and conditions – see Resource consent challenges and Building consent challenges.
- Reduced availability of materials and labour – see Supply of MDH.
- Using substandard, under-rated, uncertified or otherwise unsuitable materials – discussed throughout the Design section.
- Using substandard construction practices – see Mid-rise building issues and Construction issues.
- Missed quality-mark opportunities such as Homestar ratings.
- Low non-structural seismic resilience (depending on seismic zone) – see Non-structural components.
There are also some common pitfalls for completed buildings:
- Failed building warrants of fitness, incomplete compliance schedules and other non-compliance – see Compliance schedules and Consequences of non-compliance.
- Unexpected short-term and long-term defects and associated remedial work.
- Lack of consideration for post-occupancy maintenance – see MDH maintenance challenges.
- Ineffective post-occupancy building management – see MDH management.