Across the utility and construction sectors, rework has long been accepted as an inevitable part of getting jobs done. Plans shift, site conditions change, equipment fails, or materials don’t perform as expected. But as municipalities, contractors, and utility crews look ahead to 2026, the tolerance for rework is rapidly fading. Rising costs, shrinking workforces, and tighter project timelines are pushing the industry toward a new priority: getting the job done right the first time.
Rework is more than an inconvenience. Industry studies consistently show that it can consume 5–15% of total project costs, strain already limited labor resources, and create delays that ripple across entire project schedules. In a year where budgets are tightening and crews are stretched thin, the margin for error simply isn’t there anymore.
Here’s why 2026 is shaping up to be the year the industry turns aggressively toward “no-rework” construction and how municipal leaders can prepare.
1. Labor Shortages Are Reducing the Capacity for Do-Overs
Workforce shortages continue to define the infrastructure landscape. Retirements among senior workers, difficulty recruiting new talent, and increased competition for labor across sectors mean crews are smaller and stretched thinner than ever. In many regions, contractors report difficulty filling even entry-level roles.
Under these conditions, rework becomes a multiplying problem. When crews are already operating at limited capacity, pulling them off one job to address errors on another leads to compounding delays, missed deadlines, and rising frustration.
In 2026, the strongest-performing municipalities will be those that adopt systems and materials designed for consistent, predictable installs, not ones that leave room for misalignment or require specialized rework hours.
2. Materials and Equipment Are Too Expensive to Waste
The cost of construction materials and equipment has risen in recent years, driven by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and increased global demand for raw materials. When components are expensive, the cost of redoing work skyrockets. A mis-set manhole, a failed seal, or a misaligned invert grade isn’t just a time issue, it’s a budget threat.
Rework today can mean:
- Reordering materials
- Paying premium freight costs
- Remobilizing equipment
- Requiring overtime or weekend labor
- Triggering change orders
Municipal budgets are not expanding at the same rate as material costs, making error-free installs a financial necessity. The shift toward “no rework” is as much economic as it is operational.
3. Municipalities Are Facing Pressure to Finish Faster
Infrastructure demand is rising, but timelines are shrinking. Whether it’s to support population growth, upgrade failing systems, or meet capital improvement plan deadlines, cities need projects to move faster than they historically have.
Rework slows everything down. Excavating a site twice, remobilizing equipment, or re-pouring concrete can add days or weeks to a schedule. And for municipalities juggling multiple overlapping projects, those delays can cascade.
Next year’s emphasis on “no rework” will be driven partly by necessity because crews and cities simply can’t afford to fall behind.
4. Environmental and Regulatory Standards Leave Less Room for Error
Regulators are becoming more focused on infiltration, exfiltration, water loss, and long-term system integrity. When seals fail or joints leak, the consequences aren’t limited to repair costs. They can include fines, compliance violations, and reputational risks.
As oversight increases, solutions that minimize the risk of leaks, failures, or cracking will be prioritized. This pushes the industry toward products with reliable sealing, corrosion resistance, and predictable performance under varying conditions. Doing work twice is a regulatory risk many cities won’t take into 2026.
How the Poo Pit Helps Make 2026 the Year of No Rework
As the industry shifts toward zero-tolerance for inefficiency and error, the Poo Pit naturally fits into the movement. Its lightweight design eliminates the risks associated with mis-setting heavy concrete manholes and its pre-engineered structure minimizes variables that commonly lead to installation mistakes. Watertight sealing reduces infiltration and exfiltration issues, cutting down on the leaks that often trigger rework. And because the Poo Pit installs quickly with smaller crews, municipalities can keep projects on schedule while reducing opportunities for alignment errors or equipment-related delays.
In an environment where every hour, every crew member, and every dollar matters, systems that support consistent, first-time-right installs are essential. The Poo Pit gives municipalities a reliable foundation to meet the demands of 2026 with faster timelines, safer installs, regulatory confidence, and a future where rework becomes the exception, not the rule.
Put the Poo Pit on your project today and let's start 2026 off right.
