study purpose only

1. CASE STUDY
SEQUENTIAL STEPS FOR A
FIMILIARSATION WITH
BUILDING PROJECTS
Submitted By
J. Nagabhushana Rao (22261NC010)
D. Sudas (22261NC011)
Kishore Kumar (22261NC012)

2. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH
Building construction is an ancient human activity that began purely from a functional need to provide shelter from
the elements. Over time, human beings have adapted to a variety of climates. The first human shelters were basic
structures that did not last long.
Now, more durable structures are available thanks to the development of durable construction materials, elaborate
building techniques and processes, and improvements in construction labor.
Building construction is a complex undertaking, irrespective of the type of building. Succeeding requires a lot of
time, effort, and financial investment. The first step to a successful construction project is to develop an extensive
plan.
The building construction process must be done step by step to ensure an efficient construction process. Consider
important aspects such as the purpose of the building, finances, utility, and demand for work before starting the
planning phase.
This article will discuss the building construction process from start to finish.
WHAT IS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION?
Building construction describes the physical activity on a construction site that contributes to building or structure
construction. This process involves unloading plant, machinery, materials, cladding, fixtures, fitting of installations,
formwork, and external finish.
The building construction process is a series of routine tasks completed by skilled persons. It involves a lot of time
and tedious work and must be managed carefully. This process can be split into three phases:pre-construction,
construction, and post-construction.
STEP 1: PRE-CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Before a project begins, the client must work closely with the design team and contractor to develop the project
plan. The pre-construction process is where the contractor and the design team develop detailed drawings, budgets,
schedules, and labor projections.
The core team defines the project and prepares cost estimates depending on the client’s budget. The team must also
identify potential risks and develop solutions to ensure optimal use of resources.

3. The pre-construction phase is characterized by deliberate thoroughness to ensure that all potential needs are
identified and addressed early. Regular communication between the core project team and the consultants is vital
during pre-construction.
ACQUIRING LAND
The most crucial step in building construction is acquiring land for the project. The location should be well-suited
for the project requirements. Before the land acquisition, it is best to conduct feasibility studies to ensure the land is
strategically located and is free from land-related issues. It is also necessary to evaluate the project's cost-
effectiveness before kickoff.
INITIAL MEETING
The pre-construction phase starts with an initial meeting between the client and the general contractor. The parties
can familiarize themselves with each other. It also allows contractors to understand the client’s needs.
The two parties must define the goals and objectives of the project at this stage. The client has an opportunity to ask
questions that the contractor must resolve. The contractor must use this meeting to understand the client’s vision
and decide whether or not they can execute it.
The initial meeting allows the contractor to determine the scope of work, the feasibility of the project, and the
amount of work required. The contractor can then define the project deliverables and outline a schedule.
ESTIMATING AND BUDGETS
Once the initial meeting is completed, the contractor can visit the site and develop a design and layout. Building
construction involves a considerable quantity of material and budget, and it is easy for costs to overrun. Once the
planning and structural detailing is done, the construction estimator shares the details.
The construction estimator estimates the quantity and quality of materials needed. The contractor will then develop
a budget that includes estimated costs of labor, materials, machinery, and other requirements. The budget will
depend on the quality and quantity of materials needed.
If financial resources are limited, the contractor and the property owner must seek pre-approval loans before
construction.
SCHEDULE
Once the project scope is laid out and the contractor has done a site visit, it is time to develop a project schedule.
The schedule defines when certain aspects of the work will start and end.
The schedule is typically updated during the project lifecycle to paint a clearer picture of construction timelines.
Project scheduling is crucial as it affects overall project costs and profit margins.

4. STEP 2: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PHASE
With the project plan and team in place, it is time to clear the site and start building. The building construction
phase is where the project comes to life. It is a critical step because it involves multiple working parts and
deadlines.
Each contractor and subcontractor must now execute the plan, from site preparation to construction.
SITE PREPARATION
Site preparation is the clearing of the site in readiness for construction. Site preparation clears the way for other
remedial or demolition work required before workers start constructing the building.
Site clearing involves removing rubbish, machinery, equipment, and unwanted materials. Some site preparation
activities may require approvals. The workers must take care not to destroy any trees that are meant to be protected.
A site waste management plan (SWMP) is essential to ensure materials are managed and disposed of efficiently and
legally. The SWMP also outlines the reuse and recycling of materials where possible. Only professional disposal
experts should handle hazardous substances like asbestos and contaminated waste.
Site preparation is typically carried out under the main construction contract but can be carried out in advance. Site
preparation can also be part of a wider enabling works contract, including soil stabilization, demolition,
construction of access roads, and services diversion.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction process begins at excavation and ends once the interior and exterior finishes are complete.
EXCAVATION
Once the site is cleared, it is time for excavation. Excavation refers to the removal of earth to form a cavity in the
ground. Small sites may do excavation manually using shovels, picks, and wheelbarrows. However, heavy plant
machinery is used in large-scale excavations.
Excavation can be classified according to the material being removed, for instance, topsoil, muck, earth, and rock
excavation. It can also be classified according to the purpose: trench, road, basement, and bridge excavation.

5. FOUNDATION
The cleared and excavated site is now ready for construction, and the foundation can be poured. The foundation is
the lower part of the substructure. It transfers the building’s loads to the ground.
The foundation is built according to the architect’s drawings. The drawings determine the foundation's length,
width, depth, size, and type.
Concrete foundations are widely used for building structures. However, the choice of foundation can vary
depending on the water table level and soil composition of the location. Soil testing is crucial to determine the
bearing capacity of the soil.
Shallow foundations may be adequate for low-rise buildings. However, pile foundations are best for high-rise
buildings. Builders will place formworks and reinforcements in the excavated trenches to construct the foundation.
The Engineer must monitor the reinforcement works.
FRAMING
Framing is the installation of wood frames and steel beams to support the building. It is a time-consuming but
crucial part of building construction as it sets the groundwork for the rest of the building.
MASONRY
Now that the framing is complete, it is time to begin the masonry work. The architect’s drawings will determine the
material used: ash brick, concrete blocks, or bricks.
The masons bind the building materials using a cement mortar mix, leaving gas for the doors, windows, and
doorways.
ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK
The specialty contractors are brought in to complete the rough plumbing and electrical work. This process involves
installing pipes and wires under the floors, ceilings, and walls.
The electrical and plumbing work is not completed at this stage; only the rough work is done to enable drywall,
insulation, and ceiling installation. The point and pipe ends must be left out and finished later with plumbing
fixtures and electrical fittings.
This step is important to ensure that electrical and plumbing work is not visible after finishing.
ROOFING
Once the basic structure is done, roofing is installed. Roofing protects the interior from the weather elements,
preventing damage and disruptions. The contractors should be brought in to start working on the exterior of the
building at this stage.
EXTERIOR FINISHING
Exterior finishing involves plastering the external parts of the building. It also involves external cladding to elevate
the house.
HEATING AND COOLING WORK
With a roof and exterior walls in place, it is time to address the heating and cooling needs of the building. This
process involves the installation of vents, ducts, heating units, and cooling systems.
INTERIOR FINISHING
The next step is to plaster the internal walls for a smooth finish and install tiles on the floor. Interior finishing also
includes installing drywall, ceiling, and insulation. The electrician can also come in and finish the outlets and install
the light fixtures.
WOODWORK AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
The construction is almost complete now, and it is time to complete the plumbing fittings in the kitchen and
bathrooms. Toilets, cabinets, windows, and doors are fitted too.

6. WATERPROOFING
Waterproofing is the process of preventing water from penetrating the building. Waterproofing is done to reduce
humidity and keep the house dry.
PAINTING
Painting gives the house a beautiful finish and protects it from exposure to rain, dirt, sunlight, and stains. A good
paint job can give a building 5 to 10 extra years of life.
STEP 3: POST-CONSTRUCTION PHASE
The post-construction phase is the final process before the building is handed over to the client or owner. The
post-construction phase includes completing the punch list items and the final walk-through. A punch list is a
document that lists all the contract items a contractor must fulfill to be paid.
THE WALK-THROUGH
Once the construction is complete, the team must walk through the building to confirm that all the project
specifications have been met. The contractor and the architect must certify that the building is fully functional.
If the architect is satisfied, they will issue a certificate of satisfactory completion. The relevant supervisors must
confirm that the building meets the local authorities' requirements, and the local government will issue a certificate
of occupancy.
HANDOVER
The contractor can now hand over the building to the owner. The owner is given substantial time to confirm that
they are comfortable operating every aspect of the new building. The contractor can provide training and support as
necessary.
The contractor also must hand over all the blueprints and operation manuals to the owner.
SUMMARY
The building construction process is essential to the success of any construction project. It consumes a lot of time
and resources but ensures no stone is left unturned.
The building construction process can be split into three main phases, pre-construction, construction, and post-
construction. The three main phases of construction involve many systematic activities.

7. The pre-construction phase includes acquiring land, strategic design, preparing budgets and estimates, acquiring
licenses and permits, and hiring experts. The construction phase involves site preparation, excavation, foundation,
framing, masonry work, roofing, interior finishes, and exterior finishes.
Finally, post-construction involves the final walkthrough and the handover of the completed building.