QUALITY, QTRACK, OPERATIONS

Don’t Let Defects Derail Your Project: Quality Control in Construction

Ebony Middleton | Published on 9 May 2025

Subcontractor checking snagging construction tasks on Simpel's QTrack module.

Even the most diligent teams can’t avoid defects in construction. With so many moving parts, imperfections are inevitable. The NSW Government’s strata survey found that 53% of 642 surveyed buildings had at least one serious defect. This is why quality control in construction is paramount.

Yet many teams still rely on outdated methods like paper lists, spreadsheets, and email chains to track issues. While this might work for small projects, it quickly falls apart at scale. Picture a site manager walking through a project, jotting down defects like a misaligned door frame or missing sealant. Later, they transfer notes to a spreadsheet or hand over a piece of paper. The contractor receives a vague task, “sealant issue in Apartment 12”, with no photo, no specific location, or clarity on who’s responsible.

Now multiply that process across a project with dozens of contractors and hundreds of defects. The cracks in traditional methods become impossible to ignore.

Simpel’s QTrack inspections module replaces fragmented, manual defect tracking with real-time, location-based workflows. It ensures every defect is captured, assigned, and resolved without delays—even offline. From developer, to contractor, to consultant, each task owner retains a measure of control and visibility; and can monitor, complete, close, reopen, and report on their tasks.

Right Task, Right Person, Right the First Time: Quality Control with QTrack

For Owners: Ensuring every detail meets expectations

Project owners don’t need to manage every defect, but they do need confidence that the build meets their standards. When conducting their own site walks, they can quickly log issues in detail. Each one is automatically assigned to the principal contractor, who retains full control over tasking and resolution.

For Developers: Instant and complete visibility without hassle

Unresolved defects don’t just delay projects—they lead to costly disputes, compliance risks, and reputational damage. Developers and leadership teams need real-time oversight of quality control in construction sites to ensure every issue is addressed and the project is audit-ready.

Track progress across all sites: Instantly see defect resolution at every stage
Ensure contractors and subcontractors stay accountable: Monitor contractor and subcontractor performance in real-time
Reduce post-handover disputes: Maintain a clear, auditable record of all quality activities

Example of Simpel's QTrack location linked tasks

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For Developers: Instant and complete visibility without hassle

Unresolved defects don’t just delay projects—they lead to costly disputes, compliance risks, and reputational damage. Developers and leadership teams need real-time oversight of quality control in construction sites to ensure every issue is addressed and the project is audit-ready.

Track progress across all sites: Instantly see defect resolution at every stage.
Ensure contractors and subcontractors stay accountable: Monitor contractor and subcontractor performance in real-time.
Reduce post-handover disputes: Maintain a clear, auditable record of all quality activities.

Click to expand

For Principal Contractors: Complete control at all times

As the central point of accountability, principal contractors need full visibility across the quality process—from issue identification to subcontractor coordination. QTrack Inspections gives them that control, ensuring every item raised by owners, developers or subcontractors is logged, assigned, and resolved.

Screenshot of a defect in SImpel's QTrack App used to help with quality control in construction

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Assign tasks with full context: Include clear instructions, locations, deadlines, and supporting files.
Hold subcontractors accountable: Track performance in real time and reassign work when needed.
Save time with bulk actions: Update multiple tasks at once Maintain audit-ready records: Capture a complete, time-stamped history for compliance and reporting.
Prevent costly rework and delays: Ensure defects are resolved correctly the first time to reduce admin overhead and keeping projects on schedule.
Control who can close tasks: Set permissions so only authorised users can mark tasks as complete.
Real-time Dashboards: Track all issues by type, company, status and location to look at trends affecting your project.

For Principal Contractors: Complete visibility and control

As the central point of accountability, principal contractors need full visibility across the quality process—from issue identification to subcontractor coordination. QTrack Inspections gives them that control, ensuring every item raised by owners, developers or subcontractors is logged, assigned, and resolved.

Assign tasks with full context: Include clear instructions, locations, deadlines, and supporting files
Hold subcontractors accountable: Track performance in real time and reassign work when needed
Save time with bulk actions: Update multiple tasks at once
Maintain audit-ready records: Capture a complete, time-stamped history for compliance and reporting.
Prevent costly rework and delays: Ensure defects are resolved correctly the first time to reduce admin overhead and keeping projects on schedule.
Control who can close tasks: Set permissions so only authorised users can mark tasks as complete

Click to expand

For Subcontractors: Clear expectations and less admin

Vague defect reports slow everything down. When subcontractors don’t have the right details, they spend valuable time chasing site managers for clarification or completing tasks incorrectly. QTrack removes the uncertainty by providing structured, actionable tasks that are easy to follow and instantly accessible. Subcontractors know exactly what, where, and when, so they can get in, get it done, and move on.

Receive assigned defects with full context: Tasks include precise locations, references, and deadlines to eliminate guesswork.
Upload photos and files as proof of work: Attach supporting evidence directly within the system for clear documentation.
Reduce time wasted on miscommunication: Work from structured, location-based 'Hit Lists' that prioritise defect resolution.
Access tasks instantly with QR codes: Scan printed QR codes to pull up assigned tasks, complete with a link on the digital drawing.
Stay on top of tasks with automatic notifications: Get notified instantly when tasks are assigned, updated, or completed, and when overdue.

Click to expand

For Subcontractors: Clear expectations and less admin

Vague defect reports slow everything down. When subcontractors don’t have the right details, they spend valuable time chasing site managers for clarification or completing tasks incorrectly. QTrack removes the uncertainty by providing structured, actionable tasks that are easy to follow and instantly accessible. Subcontractors know exactly what, where, and when, so they can get in, get it done, and move on.

Receive assigned defects with full context: Tasks include precise locations, references, and deadlines to eliminate guesswork.
Upload photos and files as proof of work: Attach supporting evidence directly within the system for clear documentation.
Reduce time wasted on miscommunication: Work from structured, location-based 'Hit Lists' that prioritise defect resolution.
Access tasks instantly with QR codes: Scan printed QR codes to pull up assigned tasks, complete with a link on the digital drawing.
Stay on top of tasks with automatic notifications: Get notified instantly when tasks are assigned, updated, or completed, and when overdue.

Click to expand

Turning quality control in construction into a seamless process

Organising defects with location-linked tasking

Remedying goes faster when everyone knows exactly where the issue is. With QTrack, defects are pinned to precise locations on digital drawings. Workers mark issues directly on plans, ensuring tasks are assigned with precision and tracked with full visibility. Teams can go straight to where the work is needed.

Unlimited tasks: Every defect is logged under a specific location, whether it’s an entire floor, an apartment block, a hospital ward, or a single unit.
Flexible location grouping: Users or admins define how tasks are organised, adapting to the scale and complexity of each project.
Real-time progress tracking: Live status updates by location help teams monitor defect progress instantly (e.g., “Defecting on Level 1 = 30% complete vs. Level 2 = 70% complete”).
Scan QR codes for instant access: Printed QR codes take users directly to the assigned task.

Full offline functionality: Defect from anywhere, anytime

Many construction sites have low-signal areas like basements, car parks, and remote locations, making real-time defect logging a challenge with most software. QTrack’s offline-first app ensures inspections and task management continue without interruption. Workers can log, update, and assign tasks without an internet connection, and once back online, everything syncs at the click of a button.

Raise defects from any location: Log defects, take photos, and mark up drawings even without internet access
Instant task assignment: Assign, update, and track tasks offline, preventing delays caused by poor signal
Seamless syncing: When back online, all updates are instantly uploaded and shared with a single click

Defecting with Simpel: Customisable, Flexible, and Built for the Way You Work

QTrack is designed to fit seamlessly into any construction workflow, offering flexible tools that adapt to your project needs.

Set due dates and reminders

Keep tasks on schedule with automatic alerts before deadlines and resend notification manually if needed.

Customisable defect categories

Define naming conventions that align with your workflow, making tracking and reporting more efficient.

Full control over task closure

Tasks remain open until reviewed, ensuring nothing is marked complete before it’s fully resolved.

App and web compatibility

All QTrack Inspection features are available in both, with offline functionality exclusive to the app.

Bulk syncing for offline work

When back online, all updates can be synced in one step, preventing lost data.

Generate and print hit lists

Create detailed PDF reports for audits and site reviews, complete with location-linked tracking.

Defects at any stage

Track and resolve defects throughout the project lifecycle, not just at the final handover.

Take control of quality and keep your projects moving

Quality control in construction doesn’t have to be chaotic. With location-linked tasks, real-time updates, and offline functionality, nothing gets lost or overlooked. Whether you’re a contractor overseeing subcontractors or a site manager keeping projects on schedule, QTrack helps you stay in control from start to finish.

Struggling with defect delays? See how Simpel can help you resolve defects faster and more efficiently. Book a demo today.

Contact us for a demo