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Undertaking a construction project of any size can often be a daunting experience. With so many moving parts, so many different elements to consider and people to consult with, it can be difficult to know where to begin. It’s crucial that you take the right approach from the beginning that you lay out a plan and you are diligent and stick with it.
In order to be sure of completing your project on time, it’s important to set milestones for different stages of the construction. Depending on the size of the project, you may also want to have payment associated with each of these milestones to allow enough funding to keep the project alive until completion. Failure to meet provider’s payments or not being able to pay your workers will result in the project going under. However, with the right precautions and a well-executed plan in place from the start, you will give your project every chance of success.
Let’s take a look at a few key areas you need to pay special attention to when you’re planning your next big construction project.
Consider the Logistics and Site Access
Before you even begin to lay the foundations, it’s vital that you consider the site itself. Throughout the various phases of construction, you are going to have subcontractors and workers coming and going, materials being delivered, heavy haulage transport companies dropping off machinery and project management teams coming and going regularly. To keep your site safe and to avoid causing too much disruption to the immediate area, be sure to consider how all of these teams, vehicles and machinery are going to access your site.
Finalise the Design
Once you have a site that can be accessed easily and safely, the next thing you need to do is to lock in a design. By now, you will have had meetings with architects and engineers, however, before you start on the actual construction, it’s vital that you finalise all elements of the design. Signing off on any undecided elements of the project now will save a lot of trouble should changes be requested down the line. Something as simple as adding a door or changing the position of a walkway can be a huge headache if it’s not planned for in advance.
Lock In Your Budget
Construction projects are notorious for going over budget and while there’s always a little room for flexibility, grossly underestimating the cost will not be looked on favourably. With your design finalized, speak with the engineering team and the quantity surveyors and lock in your budget. Allow for contractors, permits and labour, as well as materials. Also, be sure to look at the timeframe, as this will determine whether or not work will be required outside of regular hours, potentially driving up the cost of the entire project considerably.
Hire Your Contractors
Putting your contracts out to tender is an exciting time as it means you are getting close to breaking ground. However, it is important that you take the time to interview all of your applicants and do some research into projects they have completed before. You will be relying on your chosen contractors to get the job done on time and within budget. Be clear when detailing the project guidelines and what will be expected to avoid any confusion down the line. Choose the right people for the job and your project will run smoothly from the start.
Apply For Permits
Now that you have given some thought to the site, finalised the design, locked in a budget and hired your contractors, it’s time to apply for any permits you might require. Different states and cities will have different requirements, so it’s important to take a trip to your local office and find out what paperwork you might need. Whatever you do, be sure to cross your t’s and dot your I’s before you begin any element of the construction.
Prepare to Break Ground
With your permits in place and everything ready to go, it’s time to break ground on your project. Taking the time to make the necessary preparations from the very beginning will ensure a smooth project from inception all the way through to completion. It’s an exciting time when the first sod is turned on any constructions project and the real work begins in moving your project forward.
