The Facts About Construction Management

In simple terms a construction manager or supervisor is responsible for running the whole or part of a construction site. Also known as site or building manager, he or she will make sure a scheme is completed safely, on time and within budget.

Construction management typically encompasses multi-unit residential sites or commercial building sites, but not usually single-family residential building sites. Construction management of the site may be maintained by a general contractor or a separate entity who answerrs to the developer and is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the project from beginning to end.

A manager on a modest site might have full responsibility for the whole task. On larger sites, you may be in charge of a certain section and report to a senior site manager.

During a ordinary project, construction management personnel are responsible for overseeing each phase of construction and resolving any discrepancies in original blueprint design and actual implementation. Construction management personnel are likewise accountable for the cost of a project and must monitor material and labour cost. They may work with one or more project managers, architects, and site-specific superintendents, often in both an office and hardhat environment simultaneously. As well as overseeing the physical construction phases of a project, construction management must also be familiar with design and construction laws — including OSHA regulations and building codes — and serve as a point of contact for all issues. Equally important is delivering each phase of a project within a given time frame and budget.

The construction manager will often work with construction management software to organise efficient delivery and storage of construction material whilst making sure safety measures have been put in place.

Finally, the client will need to be kept informed at all stages in the construction process. Lots of work is done outside on site.

Even though many construction workers have never needed qualifications before, the only way they are finding themselves untouched by the current financial crisis, is by having the qualifications to back up their experience.

There are specialist management construction courses available for all staff of specialist companies with any direct responsibility for supervising the carrying out of work on site plus site supervisors, contract supervisors, contract managers, project managers and sales engineers. These courses look at documentation and procedures and other related legal and contractual aspects relevant to the work of specialist construction companies. They also give a comprehensive practical review of sub contract provisions. Courses are available with particular emphasis on record keeping and good contractual “housekeeping”. They also provide extensive briefing on key contractual aspects of supervising or managing work on site.

Construction management firms vary in size, and some provide their services exclusively to smaller general contractors. Large construction companies generally hire their own construction management personnel. The earning potential for construction management varies by region, but can easily reach six figures with experience and reputation for effectively managing larger, multi-million dollar projects. The best way to increase your earning capacity in today’s financially unstable climate is to enrol on a management construction course.

Unsafe Working Conditions Continue To Cause Construction Site Accidents

Unsafe working conditions continue to plague some construction sites, both locally and internationally, according to many news reports. Though several websites exist that offer construction accident information, construction accidents continue to occur frequently. Many times, these unsafe conditions can be easily remedied by a competent foreman on the job site. Sadly, there is a certain stigma against safety on some construction sites. Safety is often overlooked or it is thought that engaging in dangerous construction site behaviors is overtly masculine. Others believe that safety is a cost that can be cut to save money on job projects. This specific belief that money can be saved by ignoring building code safety requirements or using sub-par building materials has been the cause of two recently reported construction-related issues.

The first has been the widely reported problem of defective Chinese drywall present in recently constructed homes across the U.S. Homeowners have recently become aware that a large percentage of drywall imported from China between 2000 and 2007 may be releasing a toxic sulfuric gas in to their homes. This gas has been shown to corrode copper wiring in electrical sockets, copper duct work in air conditioning units, and tarnishing silver flatware. Additionally, it may present health concerns both from short term and long term exposure; many individuals have already experienced a litany of symptoms, including respiratory problems, headaches, and fatigue.

The contaminated building product has gone beyond creating unsafe working conditions for the construction workers that may have been exposed to the toxic Chinese drywall; it has now created a potentially hazardous living environment for many of the homeowners in which this defective product was installed.

Another example of unsafe working conditions came from an international incident in Shanghai. A 13 story apartment building collapsed almost completely intact, killing one worker. The collapse was apparently caused by workers beginning excavation on the underground parking garage, causing the river bank nearby to collapse and triggering a foundation failure for the complex. Preliminary reports have said that the Chinese government is holding 9 individuals connected with the building’s construction. This tragic accident shows us what happens when costs are cut on building code safety regulations.

Ultimately, the responsibility for construction site safety rests on the shoulders of those in charge of the site. When safety is overlooked in favor of cutting costs, it is the construction worker who generally is the victim of oversight. Oftentimes, this leads to the victim contacting a construction accident lawyer and developing a costly construction accident lawsuitfor the building contractor.

excepted delay in construction tasks

the delays in Building projects/p>

At least 60 percentage on the task delay are mainly because on the method of handling the other forty percent. The delays begin with a change order request, and further delays occurs as a result of the scheme of controlling the first delays. 59 per cent of project delays could be avoided through an successful project operations strategy.

During my perform within the construction projects for the earlier a few years, I observed that over 80 % of my firm projects are delayed. The major reason of the delays is wide-ranging from a project to an alternative project, however, there’s a shared element out of all project and that isthe strategy of handling the original delays.

I am going to clarify beneath the leading reasons with the structure projects delays , their effect on the project and the opportunity to avoid the delays due to each purpose. I divided the reasons of the delays in to two major elements

1- DELAYS Because of Exterior Variables:

Outer factors are occasions of delays which are not associated to the contractor but not under his management, they happened through the customer or the consultant, and affect the improvement in the function or break the standard collection with the actions. The Outside Variables are mainly change orders and successor activity, i believe, they present 40 % of the building project delays reasons.

A. Change requests:

Modification orders or variation orders is easily the most well known factor impacting the task improvement, this also typically issued for the company by the customer or even the project advisor. Change orders occurred as a result of designing deficiencies or as a consequence of client need.

B. Successor activities:

Should the company works connected with others tasks complete to start, this can be a very good reason for construction delays. A good example of finish to begin relationship, one builder is liable for the project construction (footing and concrete), and another builder is liable for the finishes works. This factor cannot be controlled, but needs to be distinctly recognized within the contractor management programme to advise your customer if X task delayed by contractor 1, Y activity is going to be delayed by builder 2.

2- DELAYS On account of Inside Aspects:

Internal factors are wholly under the company management and obligation, any delays occurs towards project because of those Aspects, the company will carry all the implications. Sadly 58 per cent from the task delays are triggered by central elements including weak management and lack of labor and tools.

A. Bad supervision:

Lack of an effective project management programme and weak Building Project Preparing is a usual purpose with the project delays . It is effortless with the contractors to arrange a time plan, However, to develop a complete project management software programme and follow it, this is actually the genuine problem. Below can be a report on the missing components at a typical project administration program to get a construction project.

B.Deficit of man power and tools:

Labor and tools will be the resources to perform any action, any lack of these resources will directly result in a delays. The productivity can also be involved with the numbers, low production will defiantly lead to project delays. The next factors will explain the reasons you could have insufficient effort and tools inside a construction project.

Underestimate from the activity complication.

Lower productivity rates.

No available sources inside regional market.

Project managing technology is crucial these days. To be able to manage any project you must be conscious of the Provision tactics and guidelines. You may check the Planning Engineer website for no cost courses and more project management components. http://www.planningengineer.net

Pole Barns Money Saving Pole Barn Construction Techniques Exposed

If you found this article you are asking yourself one of two questions. What is a pole barn? How could it benefit me to build a pole barn over a traditional barn?

Both of these questions are very good questions that we will answer for you during this article.

Lets go ahead and start with the first question. What is a pole barn?

Very simply put a pole barn is a barn built without a traditional floor or slab. The construction of a pole barn consists of placing poles or pressure treated lumber at the structural points of the building and either attaching them to a concrete pier or sinking the pole itself into the ground approx 36-44 depending on your location and building codes for your area. Once these poles are set and the framing of your roof is in place you would build your walls in-between the poles. The walls do not sit on a traditional slab but instead can sit slightly above the soil. You can later lay gravel, keep the dirt or pour a slab if you choose.

How could it benefit me to build a pole barn over a traditional barn?

Simply put pole barn construction is much simpler and more cost effective than a traditional barns construction. Here is why:

1.No foundation required.

a.A foundation for most counties consists of a 12 14 wide x 36-44 deep continuous concrete footing. Go and price that out and see what that will cost you! Keep in mind, unless you want to break your bag you need to include the cost of a full days rental for a backhoe to trench it.

2.No floor required.

a.You dont need a concrete slab on top of your foundation. You can use dirt, or gravel instead which is very cost effective. The only thing you want to make sure of when using this method is to level the ground before you begin construction. Doing it later is a nightmare!

3.If you ever want to expand your barn you can.

a.Because your pole barn is not attached to a concrete slab you dont need to worry about adding more foundation or slab when putting on an addition.

Heavy Machinery And Construction Site Accidents

Though construction accident numbers have declined over the past year, reports continue to roll out nationally and internationally regarding serious injuries or fatalities due to construction accidents. While many of these stories have involved workers in site-related accidents, such as building collapses, scaffolding failures, and falling from great heights, there seem to be an increasing number of reports of heavy equipment accidents.

Since construction projects, especially larger commercial and residential projects, typically use larger support structures and heavier building materials, heavy machinery is often used to expedite the process of moving and sometimes installing these materials. These machines pose a unique threat to the safety of construction worker, as there exist several possibilities of malfunction that could potentially cause a construction accident.

A few recent examples illustrate the potential hazards posed by heavy machinery. A skid steer, also known as a Bobcat or a front loader, is a common site on construction sites, being used to move large amounts of dirt or other heavy materials. Smaller than a backhoe or other earth-moving machines, it is a useful tool for larger construction sites. If used improperly, however, it puts the operator of the vehicle as well as those working around him in jeopardy. In three recent cases, these machines were responsible for serious injuries and in two cases a fatality.

In Alberta, Canada, two men were working excavating a basement when their skid steer toppled over and pinned them both to the floor. The men were soon rescued by emergency responders and taken to the hospital. In a tragic case here in the United States, a young boy who had gone to work with his father was killed when he fell out of his father’s lap while riding in a skid steer. Preliminary reports indicate that the child was thrown from the vehicle while his father backed up and was subsequently struck on the head by the large bucket full of dirt. In another accident involving a skid steer, a man fell seven stories inside one of the vehicles while participating in demolition work in Chicago.

These small and agile machines are most assuredly not the only vehicles involved in serious construction accidents. While not as common on smaller construction sites, cranes still play a significant role in assisting workers on the job with lifting heavy pieces of building material such as floor joists and beam supports. However, crane accidents also make up a large portion of construction accident statistics.

In a recent case in New York, a man was killed when the boom arm of a crane snapped off and crushed the operator as he was working on a bridge. Reports indicate that there is no clear reason at the moment as to what caused the boom to snap. Regardless, crane accidents could have any number of malfunctions. In international news, reports of a crane collapse which killed seven men as they worked on a rail line in India were released a few weeks ago.

Many of these workers injured in a construction site accident seek legal recourse as a method of compensation for their injuries. It is often advisable for any worker or family member of one who has been injured on a construction site to contact an experienced construction accident attorney to develop a construction accident lawsuit as soon as possible.