Construction process
The ‘construction process’ (sometimes called the ‘construction stage’) is the physical processes of building, landscaping or refurbishing plus all the associated activities, such as demolition, site clearance, administration and so on.
Construction works are typically carried out by contractors, although in the housing sector, contractors may be referred to as builders or housebuilders, and contractors may appoint subcontractors and other suppliers to carry out some or all of the works.
The process may start, following a procurement process, with handover of the site from the client to the contractor and end with handing back a completed project to the client. It does not include pre-construction activities such as preparation of the brief, forming a design team or design and so on, although these activities may be carried out at the same time as construction.
The following processes can form part of the construction process:
- Mobilisation.
- Demolition.
- Site clearance.
- Erection of hoardings, welfare facilities and so on.
- Setting out.
- Excavation.
- Installation of foundations.
- Frame construction.
- Cladding installation.
- Fitting out.
- Landscaping and highways.
See Construction works for more information.
In terms of the work stages of the RIBA Plan of Work, the construction process can be said to start at stage 5 and finish at the end of stage 6, as shown below.
- 0 - Strategic definition.
- 1 - Preparation and brief.
- 2 - Concept design.
- 3 - Developed design.
- 4 - Technical design.
- 5 - Construction.
- 6 - Handover and close out.
- 7 - In use.
The site is generally handed back to the client after certification of practical completion. This followed by a defects liability period, during which any defect that become apparent may be rectified by the contractor. There is some debate about when practical completion can be certified and whether it can be certified where there are very minor (de minimis) items 'not affecting beneficial occupancy' that remain incomplete. For more information see: Practical completion.
The contractor may still be liable for damages, for breach of contract, or for negligence after the defects liability period if latent defects become apparent. See Latent defects for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.