The phases of construction and their price

1. Why construction phases are important

The construction of a house always takes place in stages. Any construction project is divided into five separate phases, which run consecutively. A stable and solid structure depends on the quality of execution of each construction phase, so its vital that each stage is carefully planned. For this reason, we strongly recommend hiring a project manager, using proven contractors, and having your architect follow each stage of the process, too. The cost of building a house is the sum of all the individual jobs undertaken and services provided. These can be worked out as percentages of the entire cost. The money and time spent on each individual construction phase depends on the chosen building method (masonry/timber framing/prefab). Whichever building method is selected, its important to bear in mind the following things:

2. First construction phase

After all the project documentation has been sorted out and permits received, preliminary works can begin. These are part of the first construction phase. It involves preparing the construction site for the start of the actual building work. This means staking out the construction area (e.g. marking out the outline of the future building) and also excavating the construction pit before laying foundations, i.e. strip foundations or a foundation slab, depending on the project. Earthworks and foundation construction account for about 3% of the total cost of building a house.

3. Second and third construction phases

Once the first phase is complete the next phases can begin. The second and third construction phases include laying the basement slab and building the floors, walls, attic, and roof system. The third phase will see the completion of all work on the roof. The second and third construction phases represent about 42% of the total cost of the build. The majority of this goes on structural elements, walls, and ceilings - somewhere around 32% for both phases.

4. Fourth and fifth construction phases

The fourth and fifth construction phases involve the greatest costs - 53% of the total. These two phases include installation of all wiring, plumbing, and HVAC, installing floors, doors, and windows, plastering walls, and all other exterior and interior finishes which will mean the home is ready to move into. In terms of costs, the installation of wiring, plumbing and HVAC will be where most of the money goes - accounting for as much as 11% of the total cost of the build. However, whatever the cost, each phase must be executed professionally and to a high standard. It is also important to remember that the costs and time necessary for each phase mainly depend on the choice of construction method (prefabricated houses, brick houses, wooden houses, etc.).

5. Construction phases according to construction type (masonry, timber framing or prefab)

During prefabricated construction, the house is built from a very lightweight structure and from pre-prepared and pre-finished components, which are then assembled on site. This type of construction, and therefore the various phases, is fast since, once earthworks have been completed, the prefabricated elements are put together on site. With the exception of the first phase and concreting, all the other phases are much cleaner than with masonry builds since there are no wet and dirty materials.

The traditional brick and block structure is also known as wet construction because the binders in the building contain water that continuously evaporates. Therefore, for traditional masonry construction, there needs to be time during the transition from one construction phase to the next to allow for the water to completely evaporate from the structure. This type of house construction requires more time and the construction phases can also be delayed due to adverse weather conditions.