What work is involved in a construction project?

Along with flooring, what else is involved in a construction project?

Hear the word ‘construction’ and it’s a safe bet that you’ll think of excavators, scaffolding and building sites. As a rule, it has very practical connotations, but the reality of a construction project is quite different. Before any physical work can be carried out, various stages of planning need to be methodically worked through and signed off. Each process involves a collaboration of experts who work together to transform the project from an idea to a building that fulfils a brief and is fit for purpose.

Initial concept

This is essentially the ideas stage and the foundation on which the project is built. It’s when the vision of the job starts to take shape and the building’s overall function is considered. So that the concept can move forward, it’s imperative that all thoughts and initial ideas are streamlined into a coherent plan. This will take into account the requirements of the people who will be living or working in the building and ensure the resources available are used in the best possible way. Because this step of the project is the springboard for the stages that follow, it can be worth consulting the advice of professionals who will use their expertise to set the wheels in motion and reduce the chances of problems arising along the way.

Choose your team

Choosing a team will determine the execution of the rest of the project. Choose wisely and the steps that follow are more likely to run smoothly. On the other hand, if you select a team who don’t understand the vision of the plan, delays are more likely to occur. The process of selecting a team will very much depend on the project’s delivery approach, but will primarily involve liaising with construction companies and architectural firms. You may ask them to pull together a bid, which you’ll then review and compare with other proposals. Other factors such as experience and qualifications will be also taken into consideration with the aim of employing a team who will deliver the project to the highest of standards and within budget.

Designing

It’s during the design stage that the initial concept will be turned into blueprints and drawings. The design team you selected in the previous phase will take the building’s aesthetics into consideration and produce a sketch so you’ll be able to have a physical representation of what it will look like. These drawings will then be used as the design is developed and the relevant costs are applied. As the design process progresses, each phase of drawings will become more detailed. This will give you the chance to provide relevant feedback so that the changes can be implemented into the next sketch. It’s also at this stage that the construction team will be consulted, who will in turn give advice on factors such as materials, value and durability. 

Preconstruction

The aim of this stage is to devise a plan for the actual building of the project. This process needs to tick a lot of boxes and deliver the overall vision while working within a budget. The plan will also need to take the timeline of each process into consideration, so it’s an amalgamation of schedules that work towards achieving the same goal. It’s here that a job safety plan will be looked at, and the graphical features of the site will be assessed. If you’ve selected a construction team with experience in building in that area, they’ll be able to help identify any potential issues that could cause delays and advise on the best time to get started.

Construction

It’s quite ironic that the ‘construction’ stage falls so late in the project, but this is the part where all the preparation pays off. Once the work begins, the construction team will oversee the building process, and the maintenance of the site and ensure sub-contractors are working to the agreed schedule.  Health and safety professionals will also be appointed to visit the site regularly and ensure it’s a safe working environment, while the design team will frequently check the work carried out is consistent with their design. All progress will be reported to the project manager to keep them abreast of any developments before the finished building is turned over to the new owner with the necessary legislation.

Finalising the decor

Once the construction phase is completed, Flooring Direct can come into our own. Our affordable flooring comes recommended straight from the experts, and we ensure it matches the interior decor of your building. We’ll also take the health and safety factors into consideration. For example, you won’t want an unstable floor if there is a heavy volume of traffic. You’ll most likely be looking at vinyl flooring or something similar in this case after the construction project is completed. One thing we forgot to mention is that you should probably choose a suitable floor for your workmen to be standing on during the project.