Good project quality in construction comes with the result of proper management from planning to the final execution. It reveals the dedication of the contractor and his team of workers who accompany him in maintaining the proper quality throughout the entire work. Quality is not a one man’s game, proper planning and team effort win the game. And on top of it, if you are making use of any technology tools to ensure quality, everyone is a winner. You as a customer also have a significant role to play!
When taking up a project for execution, one must invest ample amount of time in getting the requirements and needs of the project. It helps in designing the product to satisfaction. The budget fixed in the project specifications has to be clear before start. The product specification help to track the quality of work as agreed by the customer in the contract in each and every aspect of the project.
A perfect work free of any defects helps the contractors in saving up in repairs after completion. It can impact the customer satisfaction and which impact the reputation of the contractor. A contractor must have a robust quality management program. It is critical in the overall success of a construction project.
In a construction process starting of the project can be lengthy, as proper planning needs time. It gives clear vision of the activities that are to come. This gives the design team, execution team and the customer a perfect vision to start the project without any hesitation.
To ensure project achieves good quality during implementation one must follow these steps :
1) Know project specifications and quality maintenance
It is important for customer to understand the project specifications. The specifications define the quality standard of work. It is essential for all the project team to understand the specification and quality standards. Poor quality of work in execution should not be allowed. High standard to be maintained from the start.
2) Quality and skill of the employee
Poor skill of worker can lead to poor quality of work. Ensure the workers have required skill and experience in executing the specific task assigned to them. It is necessary to give proper training where necessary to improve their skills. It is important that the workers grow with the growth of the organization.
3) Inspection and cross-checking of the work
Due to project pressure and timeline execution can be tempting. Errors can lead to poor quality as mistakes happen easily. One should be keen in rectifying even the smallest mistakes. During execution it is common to misread the dimension. Inspection and frequent checking is the only way to solve it. Solving and rectification is always a time taking process. Rather than rushing take some time and double check and do things carefully.
Maintaining checklist for activities also ensures work quality and avoids mistakes from happening. Checklist for Pre, on and Post checks for each activities and documenting it will keep the quality in place and can track it accordingly.
4) Quality of the material
All materials used for construction should meet the product specifications of the structure or building. Always be keen to have materials delivered from reputable and authorized suppliers who never compromise on quality.
Check the materials when they arrive at the site. Ensure there is no damaged product. Check the product specifications mentioned in the project document. If not matching return it immediately. Never compromise on the quality of the materials.
5) Testing of required materials
Material testing must be done prior to the execution of work from time to time. It should be done from the contractors side to ensure quality is maintained and documented. If a material testing result is not meeting the specification, that material is inadequate for execution. It could result in damage to the structures and must be redone with certified material.
It is a serious problem which can lead to damage to structure and can lead to injury or death if the structure fails.
6) Plan properly and avoid rush
To get a finished perfect product one should plan the work perfectly, initially it may take some time to commence the execution. The time invested will pay off if planned properly. Another area of construction where you should not rush is in final finishing work of the project from tiling, plumbing, electrical, painting, fabrication etc. These are the works which require detailed inspection, care and craftsmanship. It need constant monitoring and time to fix it so invest the required time. Such will definitely avoid headaches of reworking and repairing in future.
To conclude
Good quality construction is a team effort. It requires skilled workers, proper planning, time management, reliable suppliers for materials and proper execution team.
If the above points are taken care off, construction is peaceful and worry free.