Distinct construction phases of a project determine its foundation, process, and successful outcome. Be it a series of single family residences or a solitary commercial complex, the construction phase ins and outs dictate the worthwhile trifecta of timely completion, cost efficiency, and quality control. And yet, many first time builders tend to zip through what are really the early and mid construction phases, mistaking these significant yet subclimax builds for important construction climaxes, when in fact the next significant construction climax occurs at the end of the construction phase called Final Interior and Exterior Work.
During the very first planning phase, the most important element is construction takeoff. A careful estimate is made of the necessary materials and counts for the construction project and its components. This is absolutely essential for ensuring that the mixtures and quantities of what makes up the project (the parts of the project worked up in the project budget) are accurate. If this step is done poorly, it can lead to all kinds of problems later on in the construction process.
Phase 1: Pre-Planning and Feasibility
This stage is about figuring out if the project is really doable in terms of whether it will work and how much it will cost. There are a few steps involved that you can pretty much count on being standard for any construction project, though. They are determining the exact location, shape, and size of the undertaking (that is, the thing being constructed), making sure the ground underneath it will support the weight of the thing (testing the soil), and checking to see if any laws or regulations exist that would prevent or delay the construction (zoning problems). If the outcome of any of these steps is negative, it has the potential to stop the project if it has already started marching toward completion.
Phase 2: Design and Architecture
The blueprints are assembled by the architects and engineers, and these documents are based not only on what the client wants, but also on what is sensible and safe, what works from an environmental standpoint, and what is sound, structurally speaking. There are many more revisions here than in most other phases, and this is because it is easiest to make changes now, and it is really, really important the design accommodates the site's conditions and complies with the local codes.
Phase 3: Approvals and Permits
we're going to make everything legit. You're not allowed to build anything unless you have the right permissions. For us, that means going to the nearby local government and asking for three necessary permissions: zoning, environmental, and building. Each of these permissions takes its own sweet time,some may take forever, others might be done in just a few days. So, we just put in our request and waited.
Phase 4: Site Setup and Groundbreaking
Necessary documents having been arranged, fieldwork can commence. It is not simple. There is much to do, and there are many details to manage, most of which seem to appear from nowhere and a few of which seem to appear from hell itself. Number one priority is to keep the land safe and sound. Excavation is the simple sounding term for the work we must do and do well before we engage in some very basic and very dangerous engineering. It consists of digging, leveling the land, and connecting various utilities after the fencing is in place.
Phase 5: Foundation Work
This is the point at which your edifice truly takes shape. The type of foundation,whether a slab, crawl space, or basement,depends on the soil conditions and the architect's design. Messing up at this stage could really jack things up later. Is there any question that this is one of the most critical construction points necessitating extreme precision?
Phase 6: Framing and Skeleton Construction
Your perception of the world is part of the building that emerges. A satisfactory framework both sustains and disguises the loads and provides a proper place to rough-in electrical and plumbing work.
Phase 7: Core Systems Installation (MEP)
This phase accounts for the set up of three systems: mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. A building entering this phase clearly starts to show some signs of life. The HVAC systems, piping, and the necessary wiring for all electrical systems are the first three systems to go in. And even though these systems are the first signs of life, getting them installed also necessitates a whole bunch of subs getting coordinated to perform in and around the MEP space in order to keep both the rhythm and the rework to a minimum.
Phase 8: Exterior and Interior Finishing
It seems to require the appearance of a true building now! In this phase, the exterior finishes that make the outside of the structure appear somewhat esthetically complete are installed: brick, siding, roofing, etc. But just as important, and maybe more so, in this same phase, the interior finishes that make the structure habitable go in. This is a very multidisciplinary phase, requiring essentially nontrivial coordination and avoiding delays among many different crews working in many different trades.
Phase 9: Final Inspection and Handover
The structure must pass all inspections before it can be inhabited. Everyone must pass. Only when they do is the inhabitation certificate granted. That everyone must pass before you can occupy ensures that the thing complies with the building code, that it is electrically safe, that its plumbing performs as plumbing must, and that you can get out of it in a hurry two ways if fire traps you inside. They passed inspection, you know. And because they keep passing inspection, I know them, in part, as house parts that work.
Phase 10: Post-Construction and Maintenance
Once all necessary paperwork and the final payment have been submitted, the general contractor turns over the project. Finished construction, in other words, means the thing is no longer in construction. After this, the routine is short and sweet. The entity that is post construction exists must perform what are almost self explanatory services. Call this entity your construction warranty watch.
Conclusion
Knowing the 10 phases of construction can save any homeowner or project manager from some foolish errors that can lead to reworks that cost time and money. It can also save them from blindly stumbling through construction, hoping that the many parts of the structure will somehow come together in a lasting and safe form that looks good most of the time, whatever the budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Aspect Of Constructing A Building Is Most Vital?
Of all the various components of a building, the most essential to its overall function is a part that is totally hidden from view. Every phase is important, but the foundation and design phases are particularly crucial because they determine both the structural integrity and the spatial arrangement of the project. Errors committed during these two stages can cause a whole host of different types of long term problems.
What Is The Duration Of The 10 Construction Phases?
Depending on the local permitting timeline, the entire process can take six months to over a year, from a project's conception to its actual construction. May I call your attention to the fact that design and approvals can take 2-3 months alone? Of course, large, complex projects can take longer across the board and in all stages.
What Is Included In Post-Construction?
Upon completing the building process, the construction project takes a few final steps before sharing the finished product with the client. Walkthroughs validate that what the construction and development teams built with the client looks like it was planned to be built and that it works in the way the client intended it to work. Repairs address any necessary fixes to items that went wrong during construction, and also problems that the construction and development teams somehow overlooked. After walkthroughs and repairs, maintenance personnel take over the ongoing working relationship with the client.
