Understanding the basics of construction construction helps to construct a construction project successfully. The steps involved in construction construction are explained in this article.
When there is a plan to develop a new construction, it is very necessary to have an idea about the start and the end of the construction project. The flowchart below shows the construction flow from the start to the end of a construction project.
Fig.1.construction Flow in construction construction( Image Courtesy: Quantumci)
There may be variations as every undertaking is unique and follows different design and construction process. In general, the basic steps involved in a construction undertaking are briefly explained.
The planning in construction construction involves three major steps:
Once the site where the building project is indented to construct is chosen, the expertise of engineers and architects are taken to develop the site and the building plan. Sometimes, an appropriate site is selected after the building layout is prepared. The building plan is developed based on the owner’s requirements and budget.
The structural design details, the substance estimates are prepared which help to derive undertaking cost estimate. Once the plan is in hand, the finance and total cost is estimated. The cost calculated include:
Read More: Construction Cost Estimates
The contractor and the owner must agree to contract based on which the project is implemented. Based on the estimated cost, either a bidding procedure is performed or the project to handover to a known contractor. The contract mentions the completion period and necessary guides, exclusions to remove claims.
Read More: Types of Drawings used in Building Construction
Before starting a building building, the owner must make sure that one has necessary permits taken to start the building. Permits and insurance are obtained from different sources in cities and states.
A construction work conducted without permits results in undertaking delay or undertaking demolition or huge fines. Possessing insurance for the required parties helps to save the owner and the contractor.
From here, the actual building process starts. Based on the site and building plan, necessary excavations, leveling, and filling can be undergone to prepare the site. The necessary excavation for utilities, power, water and sanitation lines, temporary storage facilities are prepared. Mostly the works needed to set up the utilities are prepared. This is followed by an inspection from the government officials.
Read More: Steps in Preparing Site for Construction undertaking -Soil Report, Excavation
Inspections are performed at different stages on structural, building codes, the utilities, HVAC, electrical works etc. After the completion of the whole project, a final inspection is performed.
Based on the soil type and water table level of the area, the foundation chosen can vary. Building structures are generally constructed on concrete foundations. If necessary, soil testing is performed to check the bearing capacity. Shallow foundations are needed for low-rise building. For high-rise building, pile foundation is employed.
Once the foundation is selected, the soil is excavated to construct the foundation. It is performed based on the foundation layout. Formworks are placed in the foundation trenches and reinforcement is placed based on the foundation detailing design prepared in the planning stage. The reinforcement works performed by the contractor is periodically checked by the engineer in charge.
Read More: construction of Foundation – Depth, Width, Layout and Excavation
The concrete mix of the required proportion is poured to formwork and is cured to form the finished foundation.
Generally, a framed structured is developed which is later finished with masonry walls. The superstructure is constructed once the substructure is complete. Other works coming under this section is: Adequate windows and exterior doors are placed based on the construction plan.
Those structural units or areas that were not constructed properly or are below the quality level is listed in the punch list. This is later corrected by the contractor in charge. Once the project is complete, the contractor inspects the whole work one by one and make a punch list.
Once the undertaking is complete and handovered to the owner, the contractor specifies a warranty period. The warranty for materials and appliances are obtained from manufacturers and suppliers. Within this period, any defects found in building constructed must be fixed and replaced by the contractor in charge.