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74 Construction Fails That Might Make You Wonder How These People Got The Job
Interview With Expert
Every construction project requires careful planning and precision. They demand meticulous attention, from accurate measurements to selecting the right materials, because even the smallest mistakes can be costly.
That can make one wonder why some finished projects end up with misaligned fixtures, awkward layouts, and seemingly illogical design choices. You'll see these kinds of problems in the following photos, courtesy of this Instagram page.
Some of these mistakes might be laughable, but others may raise serious questions about quality control. Feel free to upvote the ones that left you most confused.
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#3
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
My favorite part of this is the "safety" strap. Oh, and the hardhats. And the hi-viz vests. Yep. Doing everything by the book, carry on.
Seeing the photos on this list may make many of you wonder how these construction projects failed. Was it a lack of planning? Maybe even budget issues?
According to Brian Czerniak, COO of August Roofing & Solar, it's often due to miscommunication between contractors.
As Czerniak tells Bored Panda, roofers, for example, have no way of knowing what work was done on a job. This can lead to problems that go unnoticed until after the work is completed.
“One issue we encounter in roofing is when plumbing or HVAC contractors run water lines directly beneath the roof decking without protective metal covers. When a roofer later installs the roof, a nail can penetrate one of those hidden lines,” he explained.
#8
Another issue is having multiple reviewers for a specific project. According to Andrew Baldwin, criminal trial specialist and co-founder of The Criminal Defense Team, each one assumes that it is easy to catch obvious problems.
“The framer assumes the inspector will notice it. The inspector figures the plan reviewer already gave the ok to that item a few months ago. The plan reviewer trusts the framer to speak up if something seems fishy,” he said, adding that schedule pressures and sudden inspections lead to the exposure of more problems.
#11
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
Oh, but it's okay because they bolted those metal bandaids on the sides! Perfect.
For the layperson, it can be hard to tell whether a botched construction job is a cosmetic mistake or a potentially dangerous defect.
Baldwin says unless the problems are obvious, you can’t really determine the severity of these flaws. However, everyone can be held responsible for the repercussions, including the property owner.
“Construction defect liability can rest with the owner that pushed to meet a schedule milestone, the designer that selected the component, the contractor that installed the component, or the inspector that signed off on the component,” he explained.
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#15
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
The welder is using the actual ladder, so of course the only option is a janky pallet ladder for the human. Even better, he's probably welding wearing just sunglasses.
Prevention is always better than remedies that may or may not work. Baldwin suggests writing down changes, substitutions, and verbal instructions, along with the corresponding dates.
“This is rarely done as the changes seem insignificant at the time, but as memories fade, the dated written record is still there,” he said. “Dated records don’t lie.”
Meanwhile, Czerniak’s prevention measure is simple: clear communication between property owners and contractors. Like Baldwin, he urges documentation, including concealed work.
“A construction project can look flawless when it's finished and still have serious hidden problems. Quality construction contractors ensure each step is executed correctly and documented before the next step begins,” he said.
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#25
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
My favorite part about this setup is the tie down hooks are barely holding the edge of the steps. Just a little bit of movement and it looks like they'll pop right off.
#27
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#29
#36
#37
Phantom Phoenix 6 hours ago
Hopefully these photos were shared with the ride owner, the show organiser, and any stakeholders - including insurance companies - who need to know how "Dodgy Bros inc" are risking people's lives
#38
Bill Swallow 7 hours ago
Trying to cash in on his life insurance, and it has an anti-suic!de clause.
#39
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
Well, you can't see the "Not A Step" warning if you're standing on it.
#43
#44
YakFactory 8 hours ago
Those points look startled and no wonder. It would have been better if the person who did this knew what they were doing.
#50
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
Oh come on, it's perfectly fine, just stand it back up and brush the dirt off.
#51
Bill Swallow 7 hours ago
When you need to install a sink counter, and all you have is a hatchet.
#62
2WheelTravlr 5 hours ago
Oops. Someone didn't do a surface test before rolling the big boy in.
#63
Elladine DesIsles 8 hours ago
To be fair, somebody did a spectacularly good job of this thing they probably shouldn't have done.
#72
Ghostchaplain16 8 hours ago
This actually took real effort! i, for one, appreciate the creativity.
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