WHAT IS A TIMELINE USED FOR IN CONSTRUCTION?
A construction project timeline is essential for setting expectations and coordinating various aspects of the build. Here’s what your timeline should cover:
- Construction Activities: Clearly outline the tasks involved in the project.
- Sequence of Activities: Define the order in which these tasks will occur and their respective start and end dates.
- Resource Allocation: Specify the resources needed for each task, such as labor, equipment, and materials.
The timeline acts as a guide for your team, ensuring accountability and facilitating coordination with subcontractors. It should include time estimates for each task and account for potential contingencies.
Following the timeline’s specific order of events is crucial to prevent delays and keep the project on track. For instance, certain tasks must be completed before others can begin, like electrical work before installing drywall.
Moreover, the timeline should account for the procurement and delivery of necessary materials to avoid disruptions in the construction process.
A well-planned timeline, including contingencies, helps ensure the project stays on schedule and within budget.
HOW IS A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TIMELINE PREPARED?
The initial phase of creating a project timeline involves gathering information. This includes compiling a list of construction activities based on the building design and the involvement of subcontractors. Subcontractors provide estimates from their team, which are integrated into the overall timeline. Additionally, your team should contact the local permitting office to ensure that approvals and inspections are accounted for in the schedule.
Unique aspects of your building design, such as materials, construction techniques, and approvals, influence the timeline.
Contingencies should be included in your timeline to address potential delays in acquiring materials, unforeseen project extensions, and weather conditions. By incorporating these contingencies, your construction team can better adhere to the timeline.
Once information gathering is complete, your team can establish the stages of construction and estimate the timeline for each step. From obtaining approvals to breaking ground and conducting final walk-throughs, every detail of the project is outlined in the timeline. An experienced contractor will compile an accurate and easy-to-follow construction timeline, leveraging industry experience to address steps or contingencies beneficial to the project.
HOW TO STAY ON TIME AND BUDGET
Numerous factors, like weather, approvals, or material acquisition, can impact a project timeline. However, it’s crucial to equip your team with the necessary tools to remain on track. Here are some strategies to ensure your team stays on schedule and, consequently, more likely to stay within budget.
REVIEW YOUR SCHEDULE
Regularly reviewing your schedule is essential to ensure your team meets established milestones and individual project deadlines. These frequent check-ins also involve making adjustments to the timeline if your progress is ahead of or behind schedule.
CONSTRUCTION TEAM COMMUNICATION
Effective communication within your team is crucial for staying on schedule or making necessary adjustments. Ensuring that subcontractors communicate promptly with contractors about any delays or falling behind schedule allows for timely adjustments. Establishing standardized expectations for communication prevents delays from causing missed deadlines.
SET REALISTIC DEADLINES
Setting realistic deadlines when creating your construction timeline increases the likelihood of staying on track. Attempting to finish sooner than realistically feasible leads to missed deadlines. Remember to allocate additional time or resources for contingencies to account for unexpected delays.
BE PREPARED!
Ensure thorough preparation and coordination of all necessary resources, including materials and labor, well in advance. Allocate and secure resources for all construction activities ahead of time. Failure to have these resources readily available when scheduled construction activities commence will result in project delays.
FPH’s TIMELINES
At FPH Construction, we are committed to offering our clients the most efficient project timelines possible. Our dedication to excellence has earned us a reputation for delivering accelerated construction turnover times.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to establish construction timelines or how FPH can assist with your next construction project, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to help!