Whatever the size of your building project, it’s crucial to have the right plans in place first. These will cover everything from obtaining planning permission to finalising a budget. Putting effort into the planning stage could save you time and money later.
Project Management
This is an important part of the construction process and ensures that the project is managed successfully. Depending on your other commitments and experience, you can either take this role on yourself or employ a contractor to manage the work. Before you decide, you need to ensure you have the right amount of time and the skills to do this effectively. The role of a project manager involves liaising with the build team and suppliers and checking that everything runs to schedule and budget. It requires someone who will be on site the majority of the time and is an efficient organiser.
Planning Permission
Before you start on any building work, you need to ensure you have the appropriate planning permission in place. Speak to the planning office about exactly what information you need to submit. This will ensure your application is processed smoothly and there are minimal delays. It’s important to do this well in advance of when you want to start work, as it could be a lengthy process. Don’t be tempted to submit your application and then start work anyway, as this could cost you dearly. The planning department might request that you make changes to your plans, or they could make you put the site back to the way it was.
Ordering Supplies
In order for a building project to be finished on time, the right supplies have to be available at the right time. This is one of the duties of a project manager. You should be aware at the start of the project exactly which supplies you require and the costs involved, as otherwise you could end up going over budget. Look for bulk discounts from builders’ merchants, and open up a credit account if possible. This will enable you to pay off the costs on an ongoing basis and spreads out the payments over the course of the project.
Health and Safety
Health and safety will be an essential component of any building project. There are a number of different risks that are present on construction sites, including falls from height, structural incidents, accidents with moving vehicles and electrical issues. If you’re not used to working on building sites, then these might not be initially apparent to you. Start by carrying out a risk assessment on all the areas of work. These will highlight the potential problems, and you can then work to minimise the risks. If you’re working alongside a professional building company, they should carry this out for their roles. They will also have the appropriate insurance to cover them against any incidents.
Effectively planning a building project of any scale will ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. Without the right plans in place, you could end up spending more than necessary and running over schedule.