Preliminary works refer to all the activities that are involved in a construction site before the
actual work commences, such as demolition, site clearance, site survey, soil survey, planning,
designing, and cost estimation.
Demolition
The demolition of the building is the process of dismantling or destroying a structure after its life
of serviceability by pre-planned and controlled methods. The demolition can also be initiated
before a structure is still healthy to serve.
The demolition process is undertaken when a structure is objecting or intervening or lies in the
boundaries of a new proposed building. The method of demolition involves four steps, namely:
Surveying of buildings for demolition
Removal of hazardous materials
Method of demolition
Safety measures
2. Site Clearance
The site clearance is the necessary procedure to remove any obstructing elements such as
vegetation found at the site to prepare for excavation. The process of site clearance involves the
following steps:
Grubbing of bushes or trees
Removal of topsoil to form the reduced levels.
As the stability and integrity of a building depends on the soil strength under loading and
pressure of the building, soil survey should definitely be carried out before any construction
work as the structure is built upon an unknown ground.
The importance of carrying out soil survey is listed below-
To determine the suitability of the site for the proposed project.
To determine the suitable and economic foundation design.
To determine the occurrence and case of changes in subsoil conditions.
4. Planning
Planning is the process of selecting a particular method and the order of work to be adopted for a
project from all the possible ways and sequences in which it could be done. It primarily covers
the aspects of ‘What to do’ and ‘How to do it.’
The importance of planning the construction of a structure is as follows:
Planning helps to minimize the cost by optimum utilization of available resources.
Planning reduces irrational approaches, duplication of works, and inter-departmental
conflicts.
Planning encourages innovation and creativity among the construction managers.
Planning imparts competitive strength to the enterprise
5. Detailed Designing
A detailed design is the complete and precise physical description of all parts of the structure
(blueprints) and how they are fit together, which serves as the basis for the construction phase. It
also involves the investigation of the stability, strength, and rigidity of the structure to be built,
based upon the physical requirements of the building and an understanding of the structural
performance, materials, and geometries used.
The detailed design shall provide the drawings and the report to permit reasonably accurate
estimates of construction, operating cost, and construction scheduling.
6. Cost Estimation
The cost estimation of a project is the process of forecasting the probable cost for the due
fulfillment of the project objectives to the prescribed workmanship covered by specifications for
various items of works and to the stipulated schedule. The cost estimation can be carried in
different methods by using different tools and techniques of estimation.
The detailed cost estimation of a project comprises of:
The direct cost of various items of work
Provision for contingencies
Direct supervision charges
Miscellaneous expenses such as service charges for water supply connection, sanitary
arrangements, and electric supply
Labour hutments and camps, field office, etc.
Once all the above preliminary works are carried out, the actual process of construction, which
involves setting out, excavation, and further activities are executed.
1. What are the preliminary works in the construction of a building?
The preliminary works refer to all the activities that are involved in a construction site before the
actual work commences, such as demolition, site clearance, site survey, soil survey, planning,
designing, and cost estimation.
2. What is the importance of preliminary works in construction?
The preliminary works play an essential role in the successful execution and completion of a
project. The preliminary work includes planning, scheduling, budgeting, value engineering, and
quality decisions are made that will have a significant impact on construction and the final cost
of the project.
