Do you need to organize the preparatory work for a construction site, but you don’t know where to start? Preparing a building site goes well beyond the simple installation of tools and materials. This is a crucial step that guarantees team safety, work efficiency, and compliance with deadlines. So, what are the stages of preparing a site? Discover 7 essential phases to optimize site organization!
Why is it essential to prepare your construction site well?
Site preparation addresses several key issues:
Ensuring the safety of workers
This involves a proactive approach to safety, including adherence to current standards, the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as the development of a Specific Safety and Security Plan. Health Protection (PPSPS).
Optimize the use of resources
Effective logistics management is essential for the success of a project. It includes planning machine rotations, managing deliveries, and optimizing human and material resources.
Improve coordination between the different trades
Careful coordination is necessary to avoid conflicts and delays, hence the importance of precise planning and clear communication between all stakeholders to ensure their compliance with the execution plans.
Stay on time and budget
Careful budget monitoring and forecasting deadlines are essential to controlling costs and meeting deadlines.
Pro Tip: Masonry Services Boston MA can play a crucial role during the building site preparation process. When preparing a building site, it’s important to consider the type of masonry work that will be required for the project. This could include tasks such as bricklaying, stonework, or concrete repairs. By hiring a reputable masonry contractor in Boston MA, you can ensure that your project is completed to the highest standards.
7 steps for good building site preparation
1. Allow time to plan the site
Organizing a construction site requires time and must comply with specific regulations. It is for this reason that a site preparation period is essential to prepare all the documents necessary for the execution of the work. This period begins the day following notification of the award of the contract to the contractor.
The time required for site preparation is indicated in the Business Consultation File (DCE). The entrepreneur then benefits from a minimum legal period of one month to develop the Special Plan for Safety and Health Protection (PPSPS).
However, the preparation time may vary depending on the particularities of the site and the type of market. The Specification of Special Administrative Clauses (CCAP) stipulates a preparation period of:
- 2 months for public contracts;
- 3 months for private markets.
2. Identify each person’s role
Preparing a building site requires meticulous coordination between various trades. Each participant must fully understand and execute their role to ensure smooth progress and the success of the work. Among the main players, we find:
The project owner
This is the sponsor of the project. It sets the budget and the deadline for completion and requires that all standards and regulations be respected by those involved.
The project manager
He is responsible for supervising and coordinating the site from design to execution. He works in close collaboration with the architect for the creation of plans and with the design offices for technical details, thus offering guidance adapted to the size of the site. He also ensures that the work meets the client’s requirements and project specifications.
The contractor
He is responsible for carrying out the work. He manages procurement, on-site teams, and orders for materials, and ensures the application of the construction methods described in the Unified Technical Document (DTU).
3. Carry out administrative procedures
The site preparation period is crucial for managing all the necessary administrative procedures: obtaining the required authorizations, carrying out technical studies, and compiling your site preparation file.
This file is essential because it compiles all the documents necessary for the proper execution of the work. It must contain several key elements:
The Site Installation Plan (PIC)
This document details the spatial organization and layout necessary for the site.
The provisional work schedule
It organizes the progress of the project by sequencing the different tasks to be accomplished according to an established schedule.
Work execution plans
Based on preliminary studies, these plans specify the technical details to be followed.
Human resources: the human resources required and the duration of their commitment to the project.
Materials and equipment
ordering materials and managing supplies, identifying the necessary equipment and materials.
The Special Safety and Health Protection Plan (PPSPS): is used to anticipate and prevent risks linked to the construction site.
Read Other: Top Things to Consider When Building Your House
4. Distribute and organize the workforce
Managing your teams on a construction site requires careful evaluation of resources, ranging from worker skills to necessary equipment. This facilitates the transition from the planning phase to the execution phase.
It is necessary to distribute the workforce for each stage of the construction site: you can thus provide workers with the information, documents, and equipment necessary to carry out their missions.
5. Sourcing materials
Construction site preparation cannot be complete without forecasting material needs. This is essential to avoid shortages and delays. The earlier you order, the more guarantee you have of obtaining the required resources on time!
Also organize your material supplies with precise logistics management, from coordinating deliveries to inspecting the quality of materials.
6. Mark and secure the site
It is essential to detect and secure underground networks using a buried network locator. This tool allows you to identify water and gas pipes, as well as electrical and communication cables. After locating these networks, the contractor can set up markers to prevent any damage during the work. It is also possible to install a temporary electrical connection, connected to a transformer and equipped with a metering box and a distribution box.
Before allowing access to the various stakeholders, it is crucial to secure the site. To do this, install a fence all around the land, closed by a double-leaf gate suitable for trucks to pass through. A video surveillance system can be installed at sensitive points on the site, supplemented by construction site lights for better visibility. It is also necessary to communicate to stakeholders the access rules and personal protective equipment required to work safely on the site.
7. Get site preparation software
Site planning software will save you valuable time in setting up the site, but not only that: it also supports you in monitoring the work for optimal organization. Use a calendar to plan your weeks as well as those of your teams, share changes in a few clicks, and monitor the site in real time.
A construction site planning tool allows you to obtain a clear overview of the state and status of your documents, take notes, manage all your collaborators, etc. A powerful tool during each phase of a project to meet deadlines and increase performance tenfold!
If you follow these 7 steps of site preparation, you will be able to plan your work with precision and rigor. Your teams will thus be able to work in the best conditions and safety. There’s nothing like it to boost productivity and satisfy customers by completing a quality project on time! For expert masonry services in the Boston or Revere areas, contact Masonry Services Boston MA or Masonry Services Revere MA today.“