Building Basics
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Construction projects are going on all around us. They block our freeways, roadways, driveways, walkways, the list is endless, and while construction can be nuisance, there's a lot of work that goes into it. As I've learned more about it, I've grown to appreciate it a little more. There are a lot of people and pieces that go into a construction project, and that's what I'd like to discuss in this article.
Need
Every construction project starts with a need or desire, be it a company's need to expand their office space, a family's need for more bedrooms to house it's children in, or an individual's desire to remodel his home. These needs lead these groups of people or individuals to act. The process they must undergo in order to fill their need usually follows a pattern that goes something like this: Buy some land (or use land that they already own), get a building permit, hire a general contractor, hire subcontractors and build.
The land the builder acquires will depend on the project he is beginning. The government has designated different areas as certain types of land. There are industrial, commercial and residential areas. The builder must make sure he has land in the appropriate area for the project he is planning.
It's possible that some projects won't need the acquisition of property. If a family is building onto their home, they already have the land they require, and that is sufficient.
Permits
Once the builder has property to build on, he must acquire the appropriate permits. Most projects require only a building permit, but if a skyscraper or radio tower is being built, the builder must get other permits such as a broadcasting license from a broadcasting authority and further registration from aviation authorities.
These permits indicate that no zoning laws are being violated, that the building project is safe, and that all other considerations have been taken care of. They give the builder the go-ahead to start building. If this step is overlooked, the construction project may be destroyed if it cannot be made to the appropriate specifications.
General Contractor
The builder hires a general contractor to oversee the job, to coordinate all the subcontractors and to make sure everything is built well.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors come from all professions. Some build roofs, others do the plumbing, electrical work, etc. Subcontractors usually come to a job after the general contractor is in place. They make bids to the builder, telling him what price they will do the job for, and he chooses between competing subcontractors. The builder can look for subcontractors himself, but subcontractors who are looking for a job to do may seek out the builder themselves. Some subcontractors use a listing of recently acquired building permits as a construction lead.
Building
When all the preceding parts are in place, building can commence. Whatever the project is, there are many professionals working together doing high precision work. There are many more obstacles to overcome, as is the case with all projects, but with a high quality team working for you, your project is well underway to becoming your dream.
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