One of the most common—and costly—mistakes property owners make in Malta is looking for a contractor at the wrong time. Some start too early, without the necessary information to price or plan properly. Others wait too late, once permits are approved and deadlines are tight, leaving them with limited options and rushed decisions.

Knowing when to engage a contractor can make the difference between a smooth, well-managed project and one plagued by delays, budget overruns, and compromises.

Why Timing Matters So Much in Malta

Malta’s construction industry operates under unique pressures:

• A limited pool of skilled contractors
• High demand, especially during peak building periods
• Permit approval timelines that don’t always align with contractor availability
• Older buildings that require careful structural planning

Because of this, the best contractors are often booked months in advance. Waiting until the last minute significantly reduces your negotiating power and increases risk.

The Ideal Time to Start Looking for a Contractor

For most projects in Malta, you should start engaging contractors as soon as you have developed drawings and a clear project scope—even before your permit is approved.

This typically means:

• Architectural drawings are completed or close to final
• Structural intent is defined
• Budget expectations are realistic
• Planning Authority submission is in progress or imminent

At this stage, contractors can provide:

• Preliminary budgets
• Constructability feedback
• Programme estimates
• Value-engineering suggestions

Early contractor input often prevents costly design changes later.

When You Start Too Early

Looking for a contractor too early—before drawings, specifications, or scope are defined—usually leads to inaccurate pricing and false expectations.

At this point:

• Quotes are vague or heavily qualified
• Budgets fluctuate wildly
• Timelines are unreliable
• You risk choosing based on assumptions rather than facts

Without drawings or specifications, any “price” is essentially a guess. This often results in disputes once construction begins.

When You Start Too Late

Starting too late is far more dangerous.

If you only begin searching for a contractor after:

• Permits are approved
• Financing is finalised
• Desired start dates are fixed

You may face:

• Long waiting lists
• Inflated pricing
• Compromised quality
• Limited contractor availability

In Malta, this often forces clients to accept whoever is available, rather than whoever is best suited to the project.

The Role of a Project Manager

Engaging a project manager early—before appointing a contractor—adds a critical layer of protection.

A professional project manager:

• Prepares detailed scopes of work
• Coordinates consultants and contractors
• Ensures apples-to-apples pricing
• Manages timelines and cash flow

This approach is particularly valuable in Malta, where projects often involve multiple stakeholders and regulatory layers.

So, When Is the Right Time?

In most cases, the optimal time to start looking for a contractor in Malta is:

• After design development
• Before permit approval
• Well before your intended start date

This allows you to secure the right team, control costs, and plan realistically—without rushing or compromising quality.

Final Thoughts

Construction success isn’t just about choosing the right contractor—it’s about choosing them at the right time. Proper timing creates clarity, leverage, and confidence, while poor timing creates stress, delays, and unnecessary cost.

If you’re planning a construction or renovation project in Malta, early planning and professional guidance will always outperform rushed decisions.