It is recommended for new ground-up construction that the party (subcontractor) in charge of the demolition phase to be also responsible for the primary site layout. Because this initial stage of layout is concerned with establishing and physically creating the building grid lines and soil elevation levels for subsequent use by all subcontractors, therefore it’s recommended for this work to be completed by one party. Getting this initial phase of construction right is essential to successful start of the project. It is customary for the architectural plans to show that the line of demolition should match the building footprint; however the scope usually extends well beyond the confines of the building footprint. The demo contractor is often held liable for multiple tasks that lie beyond the footprint of the building, it is therefore important for the Developer or General Contract in charge of the project to outline the scope of work that should be completed by the Demolition contractor and the way the site should be prepared for subsequent construction work. 

The Following tasks should be considered by the general contractor to be included in the demolition scope of work: 

Account for hardscape in the way of shoring pipes 

Account for hardscape in the way of the dewatering wells 

Account for hardscape in the way of the tower crane or material hoist pad. 

For renovation projects the demolition phase layout may be even more complicated than complete dismantling of a structure. The work must be completed with higher precision and care not to damage parts of the structure that need to remain intact.  The architectural plans may be elaborate, and the general contractor must make sure the subcontractor knows where to begin and end the dismantling operations. It is recommended that while performing interior demolition of partitions the subcontractor should be very precise and strictly adhere to the layout of plan and gridlines. The drywall in particular should be properly cut at the ends and destroying extra foot or more of the wall should be avoided. Negligence on the part of demolition contract will result in additional work for other contractors. If the drywall is not properly dismantled, subsequently the drywall contract will have to come back, trim and repair the improperly done work on the part of demo sub.   

The post Demolition Work appeared first on Construction Craft.

• Gauging the demand or need for the project.
• Determining the technical feasibility of the project.
• Ascertaining the financial profitability if the investment
• Preparing detailed plans, specifications, cost estimate for the project.
• Obtaining approval from regulatory agencies, compliance with zoning regulations, adherence to building codes, and environmental and other regulations.

The smaller projects some of the above mentioned steps may be avoided, or established on a very informal basis. However, for large projects it might take years of tedious paperwork to get approval from municipal regulatory agencies.

How Construction is accomplished

• Developer utilizing in-house team
• Owner management of construction project
• Construction by hired general contractor
• Construction using a design build firm
• Utilizing a construction management approach.

Many large organizations or developers, as well as governmental agencies employ in-house construction divisions. Most of the time these forces are utilized to merely perform repairs, maintenance work for already existing projects, and often do not possess the manpower to undertake new construction projects. New ground up construction is more frequently carried out by hired contractors, which are managed by the in-house construction team. These hired contractors subsequently employ specialty contractors to complete smaller more specialized scopes of the projects such as electrical, plumbing or millwork.

This type of Construction by general contractor operating under a prime contract is probably the most common method of having a facility constructed. However there are other newer methods being employed for new ground-up projects. The first of these is design/build method or turnkey. Under this construction concept an owner retains a firm to both design the project and build the facility meeting all the specifications, hence at the end of the project the owner gets handed the keys to a completely functional facility. Such contracts are usually offered by firms that specialize in a particular type of construction and possess a standard design that they can slightly alter to meet the requirements of a particular client. Since the same organization is both designing and buildings the projects, coordination problems can be reduced and construction can commence before the final design is approved. This mitigates the risk of future delays which might cause unexpected expenses for the client.

Another less common form of construction management contract is known as Guaranteed Maximum price. Under this arrangement the construction firm guarantees that the project cost will not exceed a specific amount therefore reducing the future risk of the developer for unexpected budgetary changes. Under this procedure, most of the construction risk is transferred on to the contractor who is bound by the agreement to complete the project within given budget constraints. The construction contract in this instance is normally held by the construction management firm in charge of the projects in order to have the ability for meticulous control of specialty contractor expenses which will affect the total budget of the project.

The post The Construction Process appeared first on Construction Craft.

The construction industry including design, new and renovation construction, manufacturing and supply of building materials and equipment is one of the largest economic sectors in the US. Historically the industry accounts roughly for 4.3% of GDP and employs some 7.5 million people as of 2021. Annually U.S. new construction volume has exceeded $1.5 trillion in the recent years. Because construction is an exciting, dynamic process which often provides high income opportunities for developers and contractors, it is an appealing career path. The lucrative aspect of the industry renders it very competitive with high rates of bankruptcies and litigations. However, the seasonal and fickle nature of construction work often serves to significantly reduce the annual incomes of many participants of the industry.

It is widely recognized that construction as a discipline is a convergence of art, science, business and physical craft. While understanding the technical aspects of construction is essential, it is also important that contractors have the knowledge of the business management facet of the profession.  Meticulous observation and management of the construction site is extremely valuable in obtaining an understanding of the physical process and determining the outcome of the project. A successful project should meet the expectations for design, functionality, and quality – in addition the finished product should be delivered on time and under budget.

While construction has traditionally been a very conservative industry, the increase rate of technology utilization and growing international competition in the industry are serving to accelerate the development of new construction methods, equipment, building materials and management techniques. New governmental requirements and regulations leaning towards affordable and sustainable construction have been a huge impetus for the development of new price conscious techniques and environmentally friendlier materials for energy conservation. As the result, coming years will see the increased need for innovative and competent construction professionals.

The post Construction Industry appeared first on Construction Craft.