What is your view about quality when it comes to constructing or maintaining your building?
Construction projects are always expected to create a balance between cost, time and quality. High quality is not always the primary objective for most clients; however, it is extremely important to a successful project.
Any project with a good construction quality control ensures minimal defects and is more likely to have a successful construction project. This creates a great potential for quality improvements in construction projects, as not paying adequate attention to construction quality control could negatively impact the project.
In this post, we will be discussing 3 reasons why construction quality control is important to every construction project.
But, before that, let’s understand what construction quality control is all about
What is Construction Quality Control?
The word quality has different meaning to the context it is applied. According to Noel Mades, quality in construction means the measure of excellence or a state of being free from defects, deficiencies, and significant variations, brought about by the strict and consistent adherence to measurable and verifiable standards to achieve uniformity of output that satisfies specific customer or user requirements.
Therefore, quality control consists of making sure things are done according to the plans, specifications, and permit requirements during construction project. In fact, quality control makes it imperative for clients to get the most out of their construction projects.
Why Construction Quality Control is Important for a Successful Construction Project
Below are reasons why construction quality control makes it imperative for clients get the most out of their construction projects.
To Comply with Specifications
Construction quality control help to construct the project in accordance with the construction drawings and design details while also delivering to the client a project that meets and exceeds their standards and specifications.
As with cost control, the most important decisions regarding the quality of a completed facility are made during the design and planning stages rather than during construction. It is during these preliminary stages that component configurations, material specifications and functional performance are decided.
Quality control during construction consists largely of insuring conformance to these original design and planning decisions.
To Reduce Costs
Defects or failures in constructed facilities can result in very large costs. Even with minor defects, re-construction may be required and facility operations impaired. Construction quality control can help to reduce construction costs by lowering levels of waste and rework, cutting costs and improving productivity and production efficiency.
To Avoid Accidents on Construction Sites
Safety during the construction project is also influenced in large part by decisions made during the planning and design process. This is one of the benefits of construction quality control. For example, clear separation of traffic from construction zones during roadway rehabilitation can greatly reduce the possibility of accidental collisions.
Conclusion
Quality control is critically important to a successful construction project and should be adhered to throughout a project from conception and design to construction and installation. Inspection during construction will prevent costly repairs after the project is completed.
By suggesting new work methods, by avoiding rework, and by avoiding long term problems, good construction quality control can pay for itself. Owners should promote good construction quality control and seek out contractors who maintain such standards.
One of the pillars of the project delivery process is the management of the quality of the product or service a construction company provides. The project specifications generally spell out the quality standards for the project and by reference become a part of the contract between the project owner and the contractor.