Building Construction Process from Start to Finish (Step By
Step Guide)
A perfect understanding of the basics of building construction is the
first step to a successful construction project.
Constructing a building is puzzling regardless of the type of building.
Aside from the time, efforts, and investment involved, care should be
taken in planning the purpose of construction and its use.
Hence, it is agreeable that the process of constructing a building starts
with its plan.
We aim to provide you with a better understanding of construction in a
simplified manner. And have categorized them into two parts; the pre-
construction stage and the construction stage.
Building Construction Process Step by Step
The Pre-Construction Stage
Building plan
Budget estimation
Land acquisition
Documentation
The Construction Stage
Site clearing
Foundation
Plinth beam or slab
Superstructure
Brick masonry work
The lintel
Roofing coating
Electrical and plumbing
Exterior and interior finishing
Flooring
Painting
The Pre-Construction Stage
1. Building plan
Your building plan is the most crucial aspect of building construction.
When you are about to embark on a large-scale project such as
constructing a building, it is vital that you lay out a plan for your
building.
You need a team of professionals to carry out this task to achieve the
best results. Architects, civil engineers, electricians, and plumbers play
an essential role in planning a successful building construction project.
2. Budget estimation
Constructing a building is a considerable investment, which involves
setting aside a specific budget. After planning is done, the details are
given to a quantity surveyor to carry out a survey and estimate the
cost of materials, types of machinery, and labor required to
complete the building project.
The cost of materials will be determined by the quantity and quality
of fabric needed.
3. Land acquisition
Another essential requirement in setting up a building is to acquire a
piece of land.
4. Documentation
Thousands of buildings are demolished every day due to a lack of
appropriate evidence and documents as proof of ownership.
The Construction Stage
1. Site clearing
The designated land area meant for constructing a particular building
is known as a ‘site.’ In situations where the piece of land has been
abandoned for a long time, it’s likely to have trees, weeds, and debris
on the land.
On a large piece of land that cannot be cleared using crude
implements, you can hire companies in charge to operate bulldozers,
excavators, or land mowers to do the job.
2. Foundation
The foundation is the lowermost part of the building where the
building meets the soil. It constitutes part of the building's invisible
structure. There’s no underestimating the importance of erecting a
solid foundation for a building.
3. The DPC
Upon successfully constructing the foundation, another reinforcement
known as the “plinth beam and slab” is added to the top. The
purpose of reinforcing the foundation with the plinth beam and slab is
to protect the foundation from dampness and prevent its cracks
from reaching the wall.
4. Superstructure
A superstructure provides support for the beam and slab. Members of
the superstructure include the column designed to strengthen the load
mounted upon the building's foundation. The columns are constructed
up to the slab level and frame for further construction. A waterproof
(DPC)coating is added to stop water from entering the slab and
casting.
5. Bricklaying
6. The Lintel
After erecting your wall, the lintel is built on top of the wall. Like the
plinth beam and slab, a lintel is a beam placed across door and window
openings. It is used as a support for the load of the structure placed
above it.
7. Roof coating
The load that the lintel supports is the roofing structure. Roof refers to
the framing of the uppermost layer of the house to shape covering,
protection from harsh weather, and decoration and beautification.
The building is taking shape at this level, and you can tell what
dimension the building will look like. Different types of roofing
materials can add decoration to your home.
8. Electrical and plumbing
Modern homes have their wires and pipes hidden away from sight. This
is because they were installed at this stage of building construction
and hidden between the walls and slabs; only the endpoint of the pipes
and sockets are visible.
9. Exterior and interior finishing
Plastering work commences after electrical and plumbing work has
been completed. A mixture of cement and sand called mortar is used
to plaster the exterior part of the building. It is coated with a thickness
of 13 mm and sometimes about 20 mm thickness.
Plastering can make the building structurally strong, protect it from the
effect of weather, and make it look attractive. The interior design is
done by experts according to the procedure laid by the architect.
10. Flooring
At this point, the building construction is coming to an
end. Flooring works begin after the exterior and interior décor is
completed. There are various types of flooring according to their uses,
economy, and required level of finishing. Ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles,
clay tiles, granite, marble, wood, and epoxy flooring are some of the
best options.
11. Painting
This is the final work on a building. Painting is used to beautify the
building and protect is from the effects of water and sun.
Latex paints are highly water-resistant. Hence, they are favorites for
painting the exterior wall of homes. For decoration, a perfect mixture
of different colors while painting can magnify the beauty of a building.
Other terms related to building include:
scaffolding