15 Things You Need to Know About Construction

In a complex and ever-evolving industry, construction involves multiple stakeholders and processes. From the design phase to the completion of the project, there are numerous factors that you should know about construction listed here. 

Planning in Construction

Known for their complexity and unpredictability, effective planning is critical to any construction project’s success. Defining the project objectives, budget, scope, and schedule, and identifying potential risks and opportunities is an integral part of planning, without which construction projects may suffer from cost overruns, delays, and quality issues.

Types of Construction Projects

Based on various criteria, such as complexity, size, function, and location, construction projects may be classified into commercial, residential, infrastructure, industrial, and environmental with each type having unique challenges and requirements.

The Construction Process

The construction process consists of five stages namely initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure. Various activities such as procurement, design development, construction, site assessment, testing, and commissioning are carried out during each stage. For the success of the process, effective communication and collaboration is essential among all parties involved.

Role of Architects 

Designing buildings and other structures that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing is the responsibility of architects. Working closely with engineers, clients, contractors, and other professionals they ensure that the design meets the project requirements and standards. Some of their tasks include schematic design, site analysis, design development, and construction documentation.

Role of Engineers

Engineers apply scientific and mathematical principles to build, design, and maintain structures, systems, and machines and thus play a crucial role in the construction process. Working in various fields, such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and environmental engineering, some of their tasks include testing, analysis, modeling, and optimization.

Role of Contractors

Responsible for executing the construction project according to the design and specifications, contractors are mostly hired by the owner or the general contractor and manage the construction site, workers, and materials. These contractors specialize in various trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting.

Types of Construction Materials

The building blocks of any structure and construction materials can be natural, such as stone, wood, and clay, or manufactured, such as steel, concrete, and glass with each material having its own unique characteristics, such as durability, insulation, strength, and fire resistance. Thus, choosing the right materials can be critical to the performance and longevity of a structure.

Trends and Best Practices in Sustainable Construction

Sustainable construction involves the use of environment friendly and resource-efficient methods and materials in construction thus aiming to minimize the negative impact of construction on the environment and promote long-term sustainability. Energy-efficient design, waste reduction, water conservation, green building certification, and renewable energy sources are some of the current sustainable construction trends and best practices. 

Construction Safety

Since it is one of the most hazardous industries, with a high risk of accidents and injuries, safety should be a top priority in construction projects. Safety training, personal protective equipment, emergency response planning, hazard identification and assessment, regular inspections, and audits are some of the key safety measures.

Construction Technology

Driven by advances in digitalization, automation, and robotics, construction technology is rapidly evolving. Some of the popular ones include drones, 3D printing, virtual reality, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Besides improving quality, productivity, and safety, these technologies pose challenges regarding adoption and integration.

Construction Management

Organizing, planning, and controlling the various activities and resources are a part of marketing management requiring a wide range of skills, such as project management, budgeting, scheduling, communication, risk management, and leadership. Projects can be completed in a timely and cost-effective manner by effective marketing management.

Building Codes and Regulations

Building Codes and Regulations ensure the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants and the public. A legal requirement, they set standards for the construction, design, maintenance, use, and occupancy of buildings and structures the compliance of which is mandatory for all construction projects, thus preventing costly legal issues and safety hazards.

Cost of Construction

Various factors, such as materials, labor, equipment, permits, and overheads influence the cost of construction. Budgeting requires accurate cost estimation, cost control, and contingency planning and is a critical aspect of construction management.  Setting realistic goals, prioritizing cost-saving measures, and monitoring expenses closely are essential for construction projects.

Construction Insurance

Financial protection for construction projects against various risks, such as theft, damage, liability, and delay, is provided by construction insurance of which there are several types including builders risk insurance, liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and surety bonds. Choosing the right insurance coverage will help you mitigate the financial losses and liabilities.

Types of Construction Contracts

Legal agreements between the owner and the contractor that define the terms, scope, and conditions of the project are called construction contracts of which there are several types, such as cost-plus, fixed-price, and time and materials contracts. Payment terms, termination rights, change orders, and dispute resolution mechanisms are some of the essential clauses of construction contracts.

Apart from these, some of the other aspects of construction that you need to know are the causes and resolution strategies of construction disputes, construction liens, and the types and procedures of construction claims. Construction disputes generally arise from delays, defects, design changes, and payment disputes resulting in project delays, costly legal proceedings, and damage to reputation. These can be resolved through mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and litigation. On the other hand, legal claims against a property arising from unpaid bills by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers fall under Construction Liens providing a security interest for the unpaid amounts. They may lead to the sale of the property to meet the debts. To prevent legal issues and protect interests it is crucial for both owners and contractors to understand Construction Liens.

Keeping abreast of the above-mentioned basics will definitely give you a head-start in your career in the construction industry, we hope. All the best!