CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

schedules and specifications issued with all of the information required in good time before work is due to commence. Then get them reviewed by the construction teams, update them if necessary, and then stick to them.

When you get your builders and subcontractors to sign their contracts (as you should, even though it’s not common practice on all self-build sites yet) they are committing themselves to carrying out the work in accordance with the drawings, specifications and schedules which formed part of the contract documentation.

They could then be held in breach of contract if they make unauthorised changes on site. If they suggest any changes, get written confirmation of the details, the benefits to you, and the costs before you make any decisions.

Remember that your designer will have worked out the design to suit your specific needs so don’t water down your design objectives by accepting a lower spec just because it benefits a construction team. Preconstruction meetings should have these problems ironed out before they crop up on site and all documentation should be updated to reflect any changes.

When you have drawn up a construction programme, it should also become part of the contract. You will find that the programme will change over time, but more on that later. Certain contract documents such as the New Engineering and Construction Contract (NEC) or the NEC Short Contract, will define Activity Schedules as being related to a programme where each activity has a separate price and interim payments are released when each activity is completed.

For all these reasons and more, but especially when combined with a solid design and preconstruction phase, a programme is an essential part of your self-build toolkit.

Build schedule: steps involved

Thinking about the steps involved in the building processes on site should help to ensure that all tasks are included. This is a suggested list and yours is likely to be different. Some items may be rearranged and some may be tackled at the same time.

Annotate your list with a list of who is to be involved during each step. Some subcontractors can take on more than one role, so this is where you need to know your team’s abilities.

Split the list into sublists to obtain a more complete picture of each stage.

For example, I have taken item 1 ‘Site Preparation’ which will include Siteworks Preliminaries below. Parts of this in turn will intermingle with items 2 and 3. The order of work is up to you, but always evaluate safety first.

Do remember that if trespassers or other unwanted visitors, even those bent on criminal activity, are injured on site; you (as the landowner) would still have to show that you took all reasonable precautions for everyone’s safety at any given stage of the works. It might be necessary to have signs written in more than one language.

Example: Siteworks Preliminaries

Before the actual building works are due to commence and where they apply to your site, you will need to get the following organised. Ask your designer for help if there are any terms of which you are unsure.

• Erect any fences, hoarding, gates or barriers required for site security and public safety.

• Erect any signs that are needed, including site boards and all warning measures.

• Arrange for the connection (or disconnection) of services.

• Set up temporary sources of power and water.

• Pay any mandatory bonds required by local authorities.

• Check that you have permission to discharge effluent or to connect to a public sewer.

• Arrange for demolition and taking away if you have to remove any existing structures.

• Find out if you need an asbestos or other hazardous materials survey.

• Provide storage for any materials which have been salvaged.

• Arrange for temporary heat required for the site operatives and the building works.

• Set up fire safety measures and update as necessary as work progresses.

• Ensure that environmental protection measures are achieved as per the ecologists report.

• Arrange for the provision of temporary works. This will also apply to later activities.

• Record any locations where works will affect adjoining public or private property.

• If not already done, ensure that these works are adequately covered in the schedules.

• Arrange for temporary lighting and any other security measures if required.

• Check what protective measures you might need for fresh concrete in adverse weather.

• For your workers, get a toilet on site and a hut for tea breaks and viewing drawings.

• Plan for the unexpected, such as having a pump on standby in case foundations flood.

• Inform building control of your planned start date. Where space is restricted, some of these items may be better left until after the site has been cleared and foundations excavated.

In the next edition, Les will look at how to produce your build schedule.