Planning construction: There are generally three important aspects to the plan that guide the construction process:
The Building Blueprint and Spec sheet: This is the overall document that all workers refer to for specifications and visualizing the final product. All those who read a blueprint need to understand the "language" of the architect.
The Window Schedule: This maps out the "ROs" or rough openings so that when the crew starts framing the walls they will know where the windows will go and what size the openings for the windows will be. They frame these openings before the windows arrive.
The Truss Schedule: The trusses form the shape of the roof, either "hipped" or gabled. The carpenters will use this schedule to make sure the walls line up with the roof. Very often, the trusses don't get to the job site until the first and second floors have been roughed-in.
These three documents allow the construction process
to move forward with accuracy, and keep the project on schedule. In theory,
if the construction plan is followed faithfully, I would never even have
to visit the job site and the home could be finished as designed. Unfortunately,
theories are for scientists, not builders.
Stages of production: Orderly construction takes place in stages and there are many steps within each stage of construction. The three main stages are:
The whole process usually takes about seven months to complete. It's rewarding when all the problems have been resolved and the pieces come together to make someone's dream a reality they can move into. Here is an example of a finished product.
A Day on the Job with Larry
- Home
- Entering field
- A typical day
- Real world decisions
- Business strategy
- Construction
- Interactive floor plan
Construction careers