How to Plan Your Construction Project
A solid plan is the best starting foundation for your construction project. Whether you’re a DIYer looking to learn or a project manager trying to streamline their process, having a plan of action will ensure the entire project goes as smoothly as possible.
In this guide, the team at NORclad will offer advice on how to plan an effective and successful construction project. We’ll run you through the five phases of the construction process, offering insight on what to consider during each stage.
Give your construction project a beautiful, bespoke finish with timber cladding – get in touch.
1. Project Initiation
Starting Concept
A great project starts from a brilliant idea. Take a look at the space you’d like to develop and determine what exactly you’d like to do with it. Consider the surroundings and how your building might interact or blend in with them.
For example, if you’re in a wooded area it might be an idea to add timber cladding to your exterior façades. This will give your building a natural look, helping it to look like part of the scenery while also giving it a unique look and feel.
How to Budget Your Building Project
Once you’ve got a rough idea in mind, you’ll need to plan your budget. This means looking at square footage, materials, scale, suppliers, architects, and possibly more.
The overall budget you’ll need really depends on what you’re trying to achieve with the project. Smaller projects will require far less personnel, time, and materials, meaning a lower cost – larger ones will need all of this with the possibility for planning permission requirements as well.
Planning Permission
Projects that modify large areas or have significant external changes will likely require planning permission. This comes from the relevant local authority and determines what you may or may not do during your construction project.
Your local authority will have specific guidance on what you need to follow and how to apply, so it’s worth looking at what you need planning permission for before actually beginning your project.
Working With Specialists
You can streamline your project by working with the appropriate specialists and project managers from the start. This will put you in a good position to move forward as their expert advice can guide you towards the optimal solutions for your project, even offering insight on solutions you may not have initially considered.
Work with us to plan out the timber cladding and decking for your next construction project.
2. Design
Working With an Architect
After you’ve settled on a final idea, you may need to work with an architect. This only applies to larger building projects, but working with an architect means that you’ll be able to get specific and realistic measurements to guide the construction work and material requirements.
See our article on how architects can add value to a house >
Creating Design Specifics
Next comes drawing out the specification. This includes what materials are being used and where, when each part of the process will take place, what buffers and considerations you might need, and how everything will be brought together.
This is a great stage to consider where you can add external design elements like timber cladding or decking, as you may find places in your design that need a little bit of extra care and attention.
Planning Materials and Lead Times
Once the design has been created, you’ll need to create a plan for the materials you’ll be using along with their lead times. This is to ensure they all turn up by the time they’re needed during the project.
Examples of materials you’ll want to include in your project are:
- Bricks
- Concrete and cement
- Timber cladding such as European Redwood or British Larch
- External Accents
- Windows
- Insulation
- Nails
There are many more materials you’ll have to consider depending on the scale of the project, so making sure you have a grasp on their lead times and specific quantities that you’ll require will make everything go much more smoothly.
3. Procurement
Sourcing and Purchasing Resources
You’ll likely have considered this during the design phase, but next comes the sourcing and procurement of the materials you’ll need to complete your construction project.
You should keep the lead times on each resource in mind so that they turn up at the stage of the project when they’re required. Too late and you’ll experience delays, while too early and they’ll take up valuable ground space.
Keeping a Timeline
To aid you with keeping everything running, using a timeline is crucial. All the architects, project managers, and specifiers on your project should be working to the same timeline to make sure everyone is on the same page at each stage of the project.
Working With Suppliers
Work with you suppliers to make sure they’re aware of your time constraints. Another benefit of this is their specialism within their field. Good suppliers can offer you additional advice on how best to use their resources, along with what extra things to consider.
For timber cladding, these additional things could come in the form of wood treatment and the buffer you may need in order to make up for materials lost during certain treatment processes.
4. Construction
Work With Specifiers
Finally, you’re starting to make visible process. The construction phase of the building project can begin now that you’ve worked out all the details.
To ensure each stage goes smoothly, you’ll still want to be working with the architects, project managers, and specifiers that helped you during previous phases. This will keep every part of the project moving with the right expertise behind it.
Continue Finalising the Design
Even though the design phase has finished, you may still be doing it. Not all construction projects require the design to be finalised before building begins, and starting before its done can actually lead to a faster project.
While doing this, you may want to consider whether there are any accents or features to add based on inspirations gained through seeing the building in person.
Adding on External and Internal Elements
Once the main build has come up, you can enhance it with extra design elements. These can be external or internal, providing benefits and improving the look and feel of the building.
Great choices for this are timber cladding, decking, accents, render, and brise soleil features. These can help your building to pop while providing benefits like additional insulation, soundproofing, and a beautiful finish to your project.
Explore different options for external features with our article on cladding vs render >
Contact us today to get started on implementing timber cladding solutions into your construction project.
5. Closeout
Amenities and Certifications
It’s time to make sure that your construction project is completed. This involves checking that it aligns with building standards. To do this you’ll need to work with approved inspectors to ensure that the electrical, plumbing, fire safety, insulation, and energy efficiency standards are adhered to, and that your installations have the appropriate certifications.
Clearing Up Leftover Materials and Waste from Your Building Site
Even with the most rigorous planning, you’ll likely have ended up with leftover materials and waste at your site. This can include stockpiles of earth and rock from soil displacement, wood shaving, or even surplus materials.
Dealing with your leftover materials using good waste management and recycling can improve the sustainability of your construction project, and any large quantities of leftover materials in good conditions could even be reused during a future project.
Enjoying The Sleek Look and Feel of a Completed Construction Project
Once the trucks have cleared out and the resources have all been tidied away, you can finally enjoy your completed project. Take a good look at your results, admire it from all its angles, and reflect on the journey you’ve taken to get here.
The end of your building project may not mean the end of your design – for example, hardwoods like UK Sweet Chestnut can continue to evolve over time, weathering from a golden colour to a sophisticated silvery-grey.
Enhance Your Construction Project with Timber Cladding from NORclad
By adhering to these five phases of planning and implementation for your construction project, you’ll ensure a smooth and streamlined process for your building. Take your project to the next level with timber cladding solutions from NORclad.
To get started with adding a stunning and unique finish to your construction project with internal cladding, external cladding, and decking, get in touch. For more inspiration, see our case studies or read some related articles.
Find out the performance and durability benefits of using timber cladding for your building >
Timber clad your commercial building with support from our guide >
