If the delays are caused by a controllable mistake, be honest with the client and work hard to mitigate the loss of time and resources. Maintaining the overall project well should mitigate the reputational damage from one delay. If the delay is out of your control, again, communicate transparently with the client and make sure the items in your control are going smoothly to prepare for the delay.

Project delays are part of real estate, but maintaining client trust is key. I focus on clear, proactive communication to keep clients informed of any changes or challenges. This transparency reassures them and manages expectations. Additionally, I reassess timelines and provide updated, realistic milestones to avoid any surprises down the line. If delays are significant, offering compensatory measures like minor upgrades or flexible terms can help retain goodwill and trust. Keeping the client in the loop ensures their confidence even during delays.

Delays are not caused over night! and at the same time they are not a sign of bad market or poor coordination. There can be many environmental reasons, but keeping your clients informed regarding them is the key. Clients tend to overlook slight delays in the milestones, provided the over all project is moving towards the target date. So, it is always a best practice to share project progress with them once a month stating the critical issues faced and how the builder over came them. This will not only improve the customer relations but also gives an assurance that builder is not compromising on quality despite slight delays.

After realizing a problem is causing the delay, make sure you step back and breathe first, not make a spur-of-the-moment decision. Instead of finger-pointing, focus on solving the issue that is causing the delay.