Construction Curiosities #17 – Do you know the 6 phases of Construction? & 2022 Q3 Market Report

Hey! Happy Saturday! Matt here. Welcome to the Construction Curiosities newsletter. Especially to the New Subscribers. We continue to grow each week!

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This weekly Newsletter explores my Curiosities around the Construction Industry. It’s meant to make you think, smile, and become a more well-informed Construction Professional.

Summary

This week we will look at:

One Musing: 6 Phases of Your Project
One Resource: Market Conditions Report
One Quote: An Eraser or a Sledgehammer
One Meme: Deck Permits

One Musing

One thing I’ve realized is that so many people in the Construction Industry don’t understand how the Design Process works. Aside from Architects/ Engineers and those who work in Precon of course. Truth be told, I didn’t fully understand either until I started working for an Owner’s Rep firm and was involved in the design process.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) breaks up the whole construction process into 6 phases. 4 of which are Design. I’m going to walk you through the whole construction process in layman’s terms and simple illustrations.

6 Phases of your Construction Project

1. Programming –

Programming is the stage where you figure out what you want to build. Let’s say you want to build a house. How many bedrooms do you want? Bathrooms? Do you want an attached garage or detached? Do you want a game room? Open concept?

2. Schematic Design (SD)

In Schematic Design or SD stage, the architect will take the requirements from programming and prepare a series of rough sketches. This will show you the general layout of the house and the size of the rooms. The house floor plan can be put on a site plan so you can see how it is positioned on the property.

*Sketch credit goes to me. There’s a reason I wasn’t allowed in architecture school.* 😂

3. Design Development (DD)

In the Design Development or DD phase, the drawings are more detailed. The design consultants really get to action. The Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Landscape, etc. start to take real shape. Outline specifications are put together that list all major materials, equipment, and finishes.By the completion of 100% DD, all major decisions should be made.

*Sketch credit goes to Steven Biersteker. Go give him a LinkedIn follow and learn a thing or 2 about architects and architecture. His sketches are worth the price of admission alone.*

4. Construction Documents (CD)

In the Construction Documents (DD) phase, the drawings and specifications are completed. All the construction details and specifications are completed.At 100% CD all the information is there for the project to be bid on and built.

5. Bidding

Through one of many procurement methods, the project is bid and a contractor is hired.

6. Construction

If you don’t know what this phase is… Why are you even reading this newsletter??

Well, there you have it. The extremely oversimplified version of the Construction Phases. I hope, if you were one of the many who didn’t know how design works, you at least now have a high-level understanding of the process.

Did you know it all or did you learn something?

One Resource

DPR Construction’s Market Conditions Report Q3 2022

One Quote

One Meme

And I would have gotten away with it too, if It weren’t for you meddling HOAs

Want to be featured in an upcoming Reader Spotlight?? Shoot me a message at matt@constructionyeti.com and let’s chat. It can be anything construction related! Look forward to seeing and sharing what you all are working on!

Let me know in the comments or send me an email (matt@constructionyeti.com) about what you liked, didn’t like, want to see more of in the future, or have suggestions! Look forward to hearing from you.