Construction stage services cost more if the design is still being done when construction begins.

Target all the design to be done before construction begins.

If that is not possible, try to have complete deliverables packages complete before construction begins.

If design is still proceeding when construction starts, the constructors will require a lot more input from the designers, leading to higher design costs (in construction stage services).

Tagged with: construction stage services • deliverables • work packages

Filed under: Construction • Cost • Design • Planning

Whenever painted steelwork or other equipment is to be lifted, transported etc, consideration should be given to reducing damage to the paint.

Slings, forklifts, chains or other equipment is often used and although it may not do structural damage, it can damage the protective coatings.

This then has to be repaired, repainted, and inspected.

Proper instructions (and equipment) should be given to the workers and contractors to use web slings or similar covered with a rubber hose or similar soft material to avoid damage to the paint.

Some workers may say don’t bother and that it can be touched up later. But this is not as good as the original paint, and repainting often has to be inspected by a certified paint inspector which can be very expensive and can delay the continuation of the project.

It is cheaper and quicker to do it right the first time.

Tagged with: instructions • paint damage • paint inspection • repainting

Filed under: Construction • Quality

Consider seasonal influences on construction.

Wet/dry season, snow, monsoon, etc.

Be prepared for this and plan accordingly, with allowance for unexpected weather.

Tagged with: monsoon • rain • season • snow • weather

Filed under: Construction • Planning • Risk

When ordering lots of smaller items (e.g. 50 x 40mm PVC ball valves) it is a good idea to order 5 to 10 percent more than required.

• This allows for breakages.
• This is especially important if the project is not well planned (e.g. the design is not complete at the time of order) .
• Ordering extras saves money because you get them at the bulk price instead of buying small numbers of extras later at a higher per item price.

Tagged with: breakage • bulk price • extras • order more • orders • smaller items

Filed under: Construction • Cost • Procurement

At the planning stage of your project, check if other projects might affect yours.

For example:

• Planned road works in front of the access gate to the site.
• Upgrades of nearby electrical supplies or pipes.

If you don’t allow for these influences, you may get significant delays to your schedule.

Tagged with: delays • influences • interference • site access

Filed under: Construction • Planning • Time

Plan your lay down area for delivery and storage of equipment. You may have a marked “area” supplied by the client but you should mark on the ground exactly where deliveries are to be placed.

Record and track all items in the lay down area (when delivered and when used).

Remember to allow for security fencing and possibly guards if the area is accessible.

People often think about security for the larger or more valuable equipment but often forget that it is the small, easy to carry, things that go missing and don’t get noticed until later when they are needed.

Tagged with: deliveries • lay down area • laydown area • security • security fencing

Filed under: Construction • Planning

Make sure all stakes on a construction site are capped with coloured safety caps.

This is probably a requirement in many countries. It obviously reduces the risk of injuries, and it makes stakes easier to find. Health and safety inspectors may fine your company if they find stakes not capped.

It’s not a difficult task. Packs of the caps can be bought and put on site ready for use.

This is usually a task the construction contractor will do, but if you are running a smaller project, if you are the project manager you should check they are capped.

Tagged with: caps • injury • safety caps • stakes

Filed under: Construction • Contractors • Safety

If your company is not involved with construction (but just design or inspection), make sure the contract states that the construction contractor is responsible for site safety, not the “engineer” or your company.

There should also be clauses so your company is also indemnified.

The construction means and methods and related safety should be the responsibility of the construction contractor. This must be in writing in the contract.

Your company should be included as additional insured on the contractor’s general liability insurance.

Liability coverage should define who it specifies as being covered. If it covers the “engineer” your company must document and include that it includes your company as well.

Tagged with: indemnify • insurance • liability

Filed under: Construction • Contract • Contractors • Documentation • Risk • Safety • Scope

For soils testing, get a map and list of where tests were taken so that you can see if that matches where your designs are to be constructed.

Some soils analysis companies may just take limited samples and extrapolate the results to cover the entire area. This may mean that when drilling is done for foundations, the soil is very different to what is expected.

Make sure these maps are clear.

Ideally they would have GPS coordinates for each test point, not just hand markings on maps (which may not be very accurate).

Tagged with: drilling • foundations • GPS • maps • samples • soil • soil testing • Testing

Filed under: Communication • Construction