Have you ever built your own miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower or the Tower Bridge using LEGO bricks? But did you know that constructing a real-life building is like playing LEGO on a massive scale? Instead of plastic bricks, you’re working with materials like bricks, cement, and aggregates. It’s a fascinating process that requires precision, planning, and a touch of creativity.
Want to understand how buildings are built?
In this article, we explore the behind-the-scenes of building construction. Let’s dive in!
Planning
It all starts with an idea, and this holds true for all types of construction. The builder is typically contacted by the property owner, who may be the owner of the existing structure or the empty land. The owner usually has an idea of what they want to build. The contractor will then offer their expert opinion and provide a quotation of the budget and time frame to complete the project.
After the construction plan is finalised, the design and building plans come next. This phase also includes soil testing to look for contaminants that could eventually jeopardise the building’s structural integrity.
Pre-Construction Stage
The pre-construction stage sets the foundation for construction. This phase includes obtaining approval for the plans and official sanctions, along with arranging for finances and loans. The developers will then connect with different suppliers and vendors, such as aggregate suppliers, paint suppliers, timber vendors, etc. However, they usually work with local professionals. For example, if the construction site is in Kettering, the developers are likely to work with local aggregate suppliers in Kettering and other professionals from surrounding areas.
If there is an existing building on the plot, it is usually demolished and the waste is segregated. Hazardous waste is processed and disposed of appropriately, while materials that can be recycled or reused are typically held back.
This phase also involves laying the building’s foundation. This includes cleaning the ground of debris and then excavating the soil for laying the foundation. This is extremely crucial, as it will bear the weight of the entire building and its inhabitants.
Construction Stage
You can see the building come to life during this phase. This is one of the busiest stages of construction and the site is usually filled with hundreds of people such as labourers, project managers and other officials. During this phase, you will find multiple equipment, machinery and welfare units scattered across the entire site. Having an adequate number of welfare units across the construction site is an ethical and legal requirement as it provides workers with a safe place to rest, eat and freshen up as they are often exposed to hazardous materials like lead and asbestos.
Usually, construction can take anywhere between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the size of the building and the complexities involved. A single-storey building can take four to seven months, while large apartment complexes can take anywhere up to two years or more.
Ongoing checks and audits must be conducted by both internal and external engineers during the construction stage. By doing this, mistakes that could later cause problems will not be overlooked.
The electrical and plumbing systems are also installed during this time. Other elements like the boiler, the HVAC system, and security cameras are added towards the end of the construction phase.
The next step involves laying out the doors, windows, and the basic layout of the kitchen. If it is an apartment complex, then individual owners can customise it as per their wish. For a standalone home, the entire internal design and layout are already predetermined. For commercial buildings, usually, a standard layout is followed with room for certain customisation as per the company’s design aesthetics.
The third phase of a building’s construction usually ends with the exterior and interior paint jobs. If there is an open space in the building, then landscaping is also done at the end, and the driveway and the boundaries are erected. Finally, all the machinery is removed and final inspections are conducted.
Post Construction Stage
This is the longest phase of building construction and lasts until the building is decommissioned. During the post-construction phase, the inhabitants or the property manager of the building would need to carry out regular inspections, maintenance and repair work. This is done in order to maintain the living conditions of the building and meet the security and safety standards.
In Summary
Building construction is extremely fascinating, whether you are a civil engineer or just a curious onlooker. Watching a building form, from creating the superstructure to the final touch of paint, can be exhilarating.
Every stage requires a great deal of planning and the labour of numerous experts and workers to bring a build to life.
