Better quality assurance in construction
There has always been a concern in the construction industry about the quality of work. With large and expensive structures, when something goes wrong, it really goes wrong. The consequences will be catastrophic. Some say that one of the problems facing construction work is a lack of quality assurance. But, there are simple solutions to this problem.
Quality assurance in construction
The International Organisation for Standardisation defines quality as the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfils the requirement. From this, we can see that quality is not a comparative statement on the excellency of a project. Instead, it refers to the desired quality of a project which should be made clear by the client and those at the top of the construction chains.
But, when it comes to construction, defining quality is not too easy. This is because firstly, what is being created is a piece of work with specific characteristics. It can be whole buildings or just particular components. Also, with construction, the idea that the quality refers to meeting the client’s standards remains. But there are other standards which also need to be met. For example, those from the community and environment, in which the structure will be integrated. Then there’s the construction cost and the time it takes to deliver which can also be important factors in its quality.
All these things need to be considered during building design and included in specifications. Having a building that conforms to the standards of the clients, the community, and the environment becomes more complicated with the way construction projects are organised. The split of different tasks between various contractors allows for problems which cause reduced quality.
What are the problems affecting quality?
A dismantled project team creates opportunities for poor communication between different members of the construction chain. It also allows for poor coordination of subcontractor’s work, a lack of communication among architects, engineers, subcontractors, and material suppliers, uncertain instructions, incompetency, and misinterpretation of specifications.
Most of these problems with construction could be solved through better communication and management. Then, many of the resultant issues with quality wouldn’t occur. But, in construction, it can sometimes be hard to measure the quality of a building until it is fully completed. When defects are found at this stage, there is often no other option for clients, than to patch up the new low-quality building. This leads to a construct which starts of weak, with the quality reducing more quickly over time.
How do these factors affect quality assurance?
One out of ten building contracts leads to client dissatisfaction and complaints against contractors. The Building Research Establishment found that 40% of building defects occurred during the construction phase. These defects often included poor workmanship, low-quality materials used, and buildings that don’t operate as they should.
How to improve quality assurance
The issues with quality assurance most commonly arise during the construction phase. They result from shoddy workmanship and a lack of communication between contractors, subcontractors, and other members of the construction chain. To get better quality buildings, we need better communication and better workmanship. This starts by choosing the correct team. Hire contractors you can rely on to only use the best quality materials, and ones that can communicate with you correctly, so no misunderstandings occur. This will prevent any delays in construction, and make sure your clients and the community get a building that is up to their standards.
If you are looking for manufacturers you can rely on to only provide the highest quality fixtures, get in touch with Inscape today. We manufacture bespoke construction interiors and stick by your side from the start of a project to the very end. This way you can be sure you are working with a capable, trustworthy, and competent team, an avoid the communication issues that are an inherent part of construction. Call 0845 230 8565 for an informal chat about how we can help.