Construction daily logs may have a different look depending on the project type. However, Chris over at Glass Dawg which runs one of the biggest glass companies in san antonio shares with us that there are elements that you will find in any construction daily log. Here are some of the most common components of a daily construction logs. Site Conditions This is a section of the log that includes information on the weather at the construction site. Such information is crucial because it proves that certain task could or could not be done on certain days. For instance, if it has been raining heavily for three consecutive days, the field is bound to be muddy. Tasks like grading may not be completed on such days even if everybody involved was ready. This can affect the schedule of the project. Personnel This section of the daily log has a list of the number of laborers, subcontractors, engineers, architects, and other professionals present at the construction site. Although their names may not be written down, the information can help in some situations. Prime Contractor Activities This section provides description of the work done by the main contractor. Details of the activities are usually brief and unabbreviated. Subcontractors Activities This section includes the tasks completed by subcontractors during the day. This section of the daily log can also include the problems encountered by subcontractors and what should be done about them. Using...
Your plumbing system is vital. It supplies clean water into your home while channeling dirty water to the septic system or sewer line. Therefore, its malfunction can significantly inconvenience your household. When you know the problems likely to happen to your plumbing system, you can detect and fix them early. Here are the seven most common plumbing problems in your home. Clogged Drains Among the most common plumbing issues is clogged drains. And this can occur in sinks, showers, or toilets due to the buildup of hair, soap residue, food particles, or other debris. Leaky Faucets Leaky faucets waste a significant amount of water over time and can be due to worn-out washers, damaged seals, or loose connections. Fixing these leaks can help save water and reduce water bills. Running Toilets A running toilet is not only annoying but can also save a large amount of water. The problem is often due to a faulty flapper valve or the fill valve issue, which may require adjustment or replacement. Low Water Pressure If you’re experiencing weak water flow in your faucets or showerheads, it could be due to mineral buildup in the aerators or showerheads, pipe obstructions, or a problem with the water pressure regulator. Water Heater Issues Common problems with water heaters include insufficient hot water, strange noises, leaks, or a complete lack of hot water. A faulty thermostat, heating element, or sediment buildup in the tank can cause these...
Renovating a house can be daunting, especially if it is your first time. The success of the renovation project will largely depend on the planning. This article provides a simple guide on planning a house renovation project that you can use for your next renovation project. Develop a Detailed Blueprint The first step when planning a house remodeling project is to develop a detailed blueprint for the renovation. And this will include specifying the goal and the project’s objectives and sketches of what the house will look like after the renovation. You will also identify the needs and requirements for the project. For example, does the renovation require any permits? Set a Budget Come up with a project budget that will include the costs of materials, labor, permits, and others. You will align your projected budget with your financial resources during this stage. Remove unnecessary expenses if the projected costs exceed your financial resources. Finally, it is vital to set aside a small part of the final project budget, probably 10 percent, for unexpected expenses. Get Contractors You will only be able to do some renovation work because some require specialized skills and competence. That is why you need to plan for hiring contractors based on specific criteria, including skills, experience, and cost. Create Project Timeline The next step is developing the project’s timeline. And this refers to deciding when to start and...
There are many benefits to building a home, including the ability to customize your living space, the opportunity to build equity, and the satisfaction of knowing you created something with your hands. If you’re considering constructing a home, here are a few benefits you’re likely to enjoy. Customization Perhaps, the most apparent advantage of constructing a home is that you design and customize it according to your taste and preferences. You choose the layout, finishes, fixtures, and features you want without compromising with someone else. And, if you build a home yourself, you’ll have even more control over the final product. Building Equity Another significant benefit of building a home is that you can often build equity. Equity is the portion of your home’s value that you own—it’s what’s left after subtracting any outstanding mortgage balance. As you make payments on your mortgage and your home appreciates, your equity will grow. And, if you ever sell your home, you’ll pocket any equity you’ve built up. Satisfaction Finally, a lot of satisfaction comes with building a home. It can be gratifying to know that you created something with your two hands (or oversaw its construction). Also, building a home can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride that you may not get from simply buying one. Of course, building a home has some challenges. It can be stressful and time-consuming, and...
Successful construction is the dream and hope of every construction manager. But a successful building project requires some effort and proper planning. Time, cost, and resources you spend on a construction project characterize its success. Below are five steps you can follow for a successful construction project. Communicate Transparent communication is essential to any construction project. The phrase” I thought that is what you wanted” creates an issue at any building project. You can’t assume what the other party wanted. The best thing is to communicate with them, and the process will be smooth. Adopt a centralized communication system that allows you to submit any changes to the worker’s site in real-time. Flexibility During the construction process, you will make adjustments if there are changes. A contractor should accommodate challenges they did not foresee. They May have to review their plans to improve the workforce. Whatever the circumstances that arise force you to be flexible, ensuring that you stick to your budget as much as possible Budget A budget is necessary to ensure the cost estimates of the project. If you have an estimated project cost, you can decide whether to carry on or halt the process. Do not forget to include the cost of materials, wages, permits, and equipment. Re-Evaluating the Workforce The project’s goal is to ensure that it is completed on time, stays...
Hiring the right contractor for your building project can determine whether it will succeed or become a total failure. If you hire the wrong contractor, they will do a shoddy job, leaving you with headaches and losses. But hiring the right builder will enable you to end up with your dream house. Here are the primary considerations for hiring a construction company. Referrals Before hiring a company to build your house, ask friends, family members, and managers for referrals. A contractor with the most referrals is most likely a reliable professional. You can also use social media to seek referrals in your area. However, don’t base your decisions on referrals only. Instead, consider other factors. Experience Once you’ve received referrals, talk to several construction companies about their industry experience. Depending on your construction project’s nature, you need a company with specific expertise to achieve your desired results. Therefore, talk to different construction companies to determine their capability to build the building you need. Project Management Before hiring a construction company, please find out how it will manage your project. Some construction companies have tradespersons in their teams. Others hire subcontractors for jobs like electrical installations and plumbing. A good company will explain how it will manage your project. Project Price The quoted project price is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a...
Building practices, construction techniques, and resources are always evolving. One of the major reasons why these aspects of the construction industry are always changing is to enhance energy conservation and sustainability. New sustainable construction methods are always being developed. But, there are two major aspects of sustainable construction that you should know when building a house. These are the used materials and construction methods or techniques. Materials A major way to practice sustainable construction is by using the right materials. Currently, the market has lighter, stronger, and more sustainable construction materials. These help in solving many industry problems while making construction practices more sustainable. What’s more, sustainable building materials provide the benefit of environmental protection. That’s because they reduce the buildings’ carbon footprint. They also promote a sustainable future and cleaner earth. Additionally, these materials are more efficient and aesthetically appealing. Examples of sustainable construction materials include laminated timber, bamboo, and recycled plastic. Construction Methods Sustainable construction entails more than just the use of the latest materials. It is also about the use of the right construction methods to promote sustainable and renewable efforts. Among the most common sustainable building methods include: Precise cutting...
Many people want to implement the principles of lean construction in their projects. That’s because these principles can help with cost reduction, safety improvement, value delivery, and budget adherence. Essentially, lean construction entails the application of techniques and tools that help with waste reduction. Here are tips that can help with the implementation of the principles of lean construction. Ensure that Employees Understand the Importance of Lean Construction Lean management faces a negative reaction because it means cutting jobs or using little resources to do more. As such, this concept should be introduced as a means of providing more value. It should be a way of using resources more efficiently throughout the construction project. Contractors should, therefore, ensure that the lean construction concept takes root in their culture. And this can only happen if employees understand its importance. Understand that Change Won’t Happen Overnight Don’t expect to see changes immediately after introducing the concept of lean construction. Instead, focus on making the techniques of lean construction a central part of the operations of your company. This will lead to a point where lean construction will become part of the nature of your business. Essentially, employees should become proficient with lean construction tools like stream mapping. That’s when lean construction will start to become real and the benefits will become...
When it comes to building a house, a major challenge that many people face is drawing a floor plan. That’s because the floor plan of a house depicts the entire building. It can include the measurements of the house, appliances, furniture, and anything else necessary. Here is a guide for drawing a floor plan when building a house. Choose a Specific Area Choose the area that you want to draw. If you already have a building, decide the amount of the house to draw. This can be a floor, a room, or even the entire building. Start by brainstorming the design depending on the shape and size of the area where you want to build if you don’t have a building. Take Measurements Perhaps, you already have a building. In that case, measure the doors, walls, and pertinent furniture. This will enable you to have an accurate floor plan. If the building’s layout is to be created for a new area, make sure that there is enough space for its construction. Examine similar buildings being built and use them as the estimate for your floor plan. Draw Walls Once you have taken the measurements of the building, add the walls for every room that you intend the house to have. Make sure that you have drawn the rooms to the right scale. Add the Architectural Features Start adding features to your space at this point. Include unchangeable things like windows and doors. Also, add a dishwasher, refrigerator, and dryer among other...
How Much Can You Save Building Your Own House? If you have a tight budget when building a new house, you may want to know the amount you can save if you handle the project yourself. It’s important to note that building a new house is a major investment in the lives of most people. Therefore, if you don’t have the necessary skills and time to build it, leave it to an experienced contractor. But, if you want to determine whether to build the house or hire a contractor, start by understanding the costs upfront. Here is a breakdown of the amount you might save by building your house. Management One of the costs that you can save is the fee charged by a general contractor. In most cases, a general contractor performs the management role. Most general contractors or builders do not engage in physical labor. They subcontract out physical activities to trades people. So, if you build the house yourself, you save the money you would pay a general contractor. Physical Labor When some people ask, how much can you save building your own house, have the actual savings in mind. These include savings from doing physical labor. If you handle all physical activities when building your house, you can save up to 50% of all construction costs. On average, a home costs a maximum of $250,000 to build. That means you can save up to $125,000 if you handle all labor tasks. Several factors influence the amount of money you can save building your own house. Assuming...