Phases of Construction

Contractors often find themselves in a special situation where they have to demystify for their clients the phases of construction for them to be able to understand the length of work that goes into a project but also costs. Sometimes clients think it is as easy as pouring the foundation, creating the beams of support and insulating; however, the reality is there is so much more involved than a client or someone starting off in the industry realize.  Best Access Doors lists the essential phases of construction that without one or the other, no job can be complete or instead be done to the standards that many contractors and designers follow.

The primary phases of construction include:

Initiation

This is the phase of development where plans are still behind reviewed. At this phase, a contractor and his company may be eyeing a bid for a project. The initiation phase is an important one in that the contractor can determine if they have the resources, the staff and the ability to complete the task before them – maybe they need to hire more people or perhaps they need more resources, at this stage nothing is set in stone yet. Things are still being discussed and negotiated.

The initiation phase from a client perspective is just as important for the contractor because they may not have the information or understanding when it comes to getting their vision or idea off the ground. As a contractor, designer or engineer, their knowledge allows them to set the guidelines for the project and provide a realness to the vision of a client.

Planning

Once the logistics have been discussed, and an agreement has been drafted now comes the planning. There are many components to this stage that are essential to having a smooth project outcome, or rather as smooth as a project can be once executed.

In the planning stage, there are discussions of the budget, timeline expectations, and material designs. When it comes to planning and budgeting a contractor understands that there has to be a buffer should there be unexpected expenses – and while clients may not always agree, they’ll be thankful they set aside some extra funds. Sometimes you need more material; you work longer and sometimes, costs rise and rise, and it isn’t until you are in the situation that you realize the costs of a project. Similar to a budget, timelines must be seen in the same light as while a client may think it takes x-amount of days to finish there is so much more to consider. From weather to injury to delay in materials, the planning stage is the best way to take the initiation and create a realistic and solid foundation.

Breaking Ground

This is where the drawings, the planning and the prepping come to action – the building phase. Here the contractor and his team are hard at work and bringing it to life. This stage can be a walk in the park, or it can be a challenge as it becomes the test of whether or not they have planned accordingly.

From ensuring they stick to budget restraints but also timelines, the building phase will genuinely test out how well the planning stage went. During the planning phase, was enough funds allotted, staff and did everything planned go as planned.

Walk Through / Post Inspection

Once the building, the organizing and everything in between is done now comes a step that sometimes is overlooked if not ignored. The walk-through or rather the post-inspection. This phase is important for both client and contractors. For clients, having a contractor inspect and go through their project and job-site provides the assurance of quality and reliable work. Sometimes the state of a job or the quality and craftsmanship of a job isn’t realized till after the fact which is why a thorough walk through once all the nails and hammers have been used can allow one to see if there are imperfections.

Contractors often don’t realize their work till the end of a job and with a post inspection they can ensure that the quality of work they did is the type of work and reputation they stand for. Quality is better than quantity and with construction and repairs, quality and detailed work is important for thriving.

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