Building construction is procured privately or publicly utilizing various delivery methodologies, including hard bid, negotiated price, traditional, management contracting, design & build and design-build bridging.

Basic Steps in Starting a Building Project
When there is a plan to develop a new building, it is very necessary to have an idea about the start and the end of the building project. The flowchart below shows the construction flow from the start to the end of a building project.
There may be variations as every project is unique and follows different design and construction process. In general, the basic steps involved in a building project are briefly explained.

1. Planning

2. Permits
3. Preparation of Construction Site
4. Foundation Construction
5. Superstructure Construction
6. Punch Lists
7. Building Warranty Period

Once the site where the building project is indented to construct is chosen, the expertise of engineers and architects are taken to…

Building construction is procured privately or publicly utilizing various delivery methodologies, including hard bid, negotiated price, traditional, management contracting, design & build and design-build bridging.

Basic Steps in Starting a Building Project
When there is a plan to develop a new building, it is very necessary to have an idea about the start and the end of the building project. The flowchart below shows the construction flow from the start to the end of a building project.
There may be variations as every project is unique and follows different design and construction process. In general, the basic steps involved in a building project are briefly explained.

1. Planning

2. Permits
3. Preparation of Construction Site
4. Foundation Construction
5. Superstructure Construction
6. Punch Lists
7. Building Warranty Period

Once the site where the building project is indented to construct is chosen, the expertise of engineers and architects are taken to develop the site and the building plan. Sometimes, an appropriate site is selected after the building layout is prepared. The building plan is developed based on the owner’s requirements and budget.
Once the plan is in hand, the finance and total cost is estimated. The structural design details, the material estimates are prepared which help to derive project cost estimate. The cost calculated include:
1. The material cost
2. The construction cost
3. The labour cost
4. Miscellaneous cost
Before starting a building construction, the owner must make sure that one has necessary permits taken to start the construction. Permits and insurance are obtained from different sources in cities and states.

From here, the actual construction process starts. Based on the site and building plan, necessary excavations, levelling, and filling can be undergone to prepare the site. The necessary excavation for utilities, power, water and sanitation lines, and temporary storage facilities are prepared. Mostly the works needed to set up the utilities are prepared.

Building structures are generally constructed on concrete foundations. Based on the soil type and water table level of the area, the foundation chosen can vary. If necessary, soil testing is performed to check the bearing capacity. Shallow foundations are required for low-rise building. For high-rise building, pile foundation is employed.
Once the foundation is selected, the soil is excavated to construct the foundation. It is performed based on the foundation layout. Formworks are placed in the foundation trenches and reinforcement is placed based on the foundation detailing design prepared in the planning stage.
The superstructure is constructed once the substructure is complete. Generally, a framed structured is developed which is later finished with masonry walls. Adequate windows and exterior doors are placed based on the building plan. Other works coming under this section is:

1. Construction of roofs or siding
2. Installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning
3. Providing adequate electric and water lines connection line.
4. Provide insulation works as required to protect from lighting
5. Provision of waterproofing to the walls.
6. Plastering and finishing the walls and surfaces
7. Flooring works
8. Exterior and Interior Painting

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