Introduction

Construction project management includes a wide array of projects, spanning various types of builds. While many associate construction with the housing market, particularly single-occupancy homes, this represents only a fraction of the industry. Commercial construction management, on the other hand, is extensive.

Construction management can includes a wide range of structures, including offices, retail shopping malls, and medical centres. These projects often involve complex undertakings that necessitate Tailored Solutions to streamline operations. In this article, we delve into the essence of construction management, exploring its processes, and shedding light on the pivotal role of the commercial construction project manager.

What is Construction Management?

Construction management involves the intricate process of conceptualising, renovating, and erecting structures. Typically, these projects can be of substantial scale, necessitating the utilisation of heavy machinery and obtaining funding from project funders, often with support from the local planning department or in extreme instances national governmental bodies.

Contracts for construction projects are awarded through competitive bidding processes, wherein developers and contractors submit proposals. Successful bids not only offer competitive pricing, but also provide detailed project plans outlining budgets and schedules accurately.

The pricing of construction projects is contingent upon various factors such as the size of the project, allocated budget, and the project's scope, spanning from initial design to project completion. Value engineering is employed to enhance cost efficiency, thus allowing costs management to be more feasible. This often leads to the development of more precise and cost-effective plans, as all areas of the project are challenged.

As demand for construction project management continues to rise, so does the need for a tailored approach to the management of a project. MMCBuild offers tailored solutions to project management, we have the correct team to lead projects up to £20M in value. Our Project Delivery framework provided by The Modern Builder will expertly deliver your MMC commercial project, whilst effectively managing customers’ expectations in a Custom Build model, giving the developer a console to review their entire project.

Begin your journey with MMCBuild today, and obtain a free initial project review

The scale of construction projects

Construction projects vary widely in scale and purpose. They encompass diverse types of buildings, ranging from small to large projects.

Small-scale construction projects often involve rebranding efforts, such as updating building interiors. These projects can be as straightforward as applying a fresh coat of paint, installing new flooring, or incorporating technological upgrades.

Medium-scale projects typically involve building expansions or renovations initiated by property owners. This could result from a company's growth or a restaurant's desire to revamp its interior layout.

On the other hand, larger-scale projects involve constructing entirely new buildings from scratch. These projects demand a highly skilled team with extensive building experience, as they require creating structures from the ground up.

Construction projects span various sectors, including:

• Residential projects, which are often multiple plots constructed within a limited company to sold on the open market.
• Restaurants, which require adherence to specific regulations and obtaining local permits due to their involvement with food service.
• Retail construction, which encompasses establishments like grocery stores and shopping malls.
• Medical facilities, which necessitate meticulous planning for plumbing, electrical systems, and specialized healthcare equipment.
• Office buildings of varying sizes and configurations.
• Lodging facilities such as hotels and motels.
• Institutional buildings including high schools, colleges, universities, libraries, and other educational centres.
• Industrial structures like factories and warehouses.
• Sports facilities, ranging from large arenas and stadiums to smaller fitness centres, school gymnasiums, and recreational play areas.

The Construction management process

Now that we have a comprehensive understanding of construction management and the diversity of structures it encompasses, let's investigate the process that governs construction management.

Development and Planning: The initial step involves selecting a location, whether it be an existing site for renovation or a new plot for constructing a building from the ground up. Costs and zoning regulations vary based on the type of structure proposed. Ensuring utility compatibility with the building's requirements is imperative. Soil studies determine if additional reinforcement is necessary to support the structure, alongside boundary surveys to verify site elevation. Setting a budget outlining hard and soft costs is paramount, drawing upon historical data and thorough research to provide accurate project cost forecasts. Once the construction client has acquired the plot of land and created a Project Brief, MMCBuild will lead the planning phase, appointing the appropriate consultants to make the best use of the site ensuring communication with the client if there are any impacts to the project brief which cannot be mitigated. MMCBuild will assist the client in further developing the project brief as assumptions will be uncovered and realised at this stage.

Pre-Design: The pre-design phase overlaps with development and planning, involving setting project objectives and preliminary design considerations. Factors such as project timeline, size, orientation, material choices, and equipment costs are determined during this phase. MMCBuild will ensure the current project objectives are still in line with the client’s project brief, making all efforts to ensure the team deliver the brief. Initial designs are then passed onto the client for approval before proceeding to the design phase.

Design: Upon finalising project decisions, the consultants will draft detailed drawings and schematics to ensure compliance with building regulations and structural integrity. Mechanical, structural, electrical, and civil engineers collaborate to refine project plans. MMCBuild will ensure the designs are properly coordinated and start the value engineering process. The designs will be prepared to commence discussions with contractors for early project assessment and pricing, the contractor feedback will be passed onto the design team.

Pre-Construction: During this phase, permits are obtained, insurance for on-site crews is secured, and contractor bidding processes are conducted to align procurement with budget expectations. Additionally, the project site's field team is assembled. MMCBuild will appoint a Principal Designer to ensure the site is set up to CDM regulations and initial construction risks are identified.

Procurement: Key materials necessary for construction are sourced while adhering to budget constraints without compromising quality. Clear communication channels are established with stakeholders to ensure project success. MMCBuild’s commercial consultant (depending on project complexity) will get all the required quantities of key required materials to be procured, the Value Engineering process will continue as we look to mitigate against cost uncertainties to key items. Materials will either be ordered prior to contractor appointment or ordered by the chosen contractor whichever works out better value. MMCBuild will introduce several MMC options to attempt to de risk the construction time onsite which ultimately reduces the risk of

Construction: This pivotal stage involves executing the meticulously planned project. Site preparation, including health and safety guidelines, site security and quality maintenance, precedes the ground-breaking. Proper drainage, utility layout, and compliance inspections are undertaken before commencing construction The information obtained are then saved in the pre-construction files to be issued to the chosen contractor. Construction progresses with foundation preparation and concrete pouring, structural framing (If MMC can be the entire house delivered onto completed foundations), roofing, siding installation, internal systems deployment (electrical and HVAC), wall construction, and interior finishing touches like flooring, windows, doors, lighting, and painting. Landscaping concludes the construction phase. MMCBuild will coordinate effectively between the MMC supplier and groundworks contractor if a two principal contractor system is adopted.

Post-Construction: Project completion entails a thorough walkthrough with the client or developer to assess project quality. A punch list recording the necessary fixes is compiled before final inspections are passed, marking the site's readiness for use. The necessary construction warranties, building inspector certificates and 10-year structural warranties are obtained and sent to the construction client. Any defects are recorded, and contractors are informed immediately to attend to any required fixes.