The purpose of this paper is to study the causes and effects of delays in the South African construction industry in order to develop mechanisms that could be implemented to limit any related financial risks.

The paper via a questionnaire survey investigated construction consultants (such as architects, engineers & quantity surveyors), client and contractors’ perspectives on causes and effects of delays. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to provide the researchers with background information on causes and effects of delays globally in the construction industry.

The methodology adopted in this research was through the use of conventional libraries and internet resources. The results were then used to analyze how causes and effects of delays could be reduced to maximize construction profitability without compromising on quality and cost.