CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS SCHEDULE

Before a professional progress manager will begin a major construction project, one of the first steps to be undertaken is the creation of a Construction Progress Schedule. The importance of establishing a progress schedule can be seen in the saved hours of labor, reduction of construction conflicts by overlapping trades and avoidance of delays in the delivery of long lead items.

How does one establish a progress schedule? The first step is to make a list of every trade (sub-contractor and vendor) and when they are scheduled to begin their work. Next, record the scope of work to be completed, as well as the number of days the work will take to be completed. It is important to note two points.

First, if one sub-contractor must complete a specific task or line item before another trade can begin their work, the first contractor must be scheduled with ample time to complete their task.

Secondly, if an item such as specialty windows, pews or custom seating, custom dyed carpeting, artwork or other items scheduled to take many weeks or months for fabrication and delivery, these items should be ordered in advance. Before signing a contract with vendors of stained glass, pulpit or bimah furnishings, custom seating or pews,

it is very important to discuss delivery dates from the date of a signed contract. Many pew companies may require 9-12 weeks for delivery from the date of a signed contract and approval of finishes and fabric samples. It is also not uncommon to wait six months or longer for custom-made art or stained glass windows.When creating a progress schedule, allow ample time to complete the assigned tasks.

Trades that work outdoors, may require longer time due to weather conditions, especially during the autumn and winter months. When scheduling a multi-month project, it is wise to allow a few floating days to allow for non-productive periods due to weather, delays in receipt of materials, illness, inspection delays, etc.

The purpose of a construction schedule is to see on paper if all of the trades have ample time to complete their sub-contracts with a minimum of conflict. If a construction progress schedule is completed properly, one should be able to see how long it will take to complete the entire project.

A progress schedule allows you to tell instantly if a PraiseBuilding project is on schedule. This progress schedule can become an important part of the check and balance system of managing the project.

By Stephen Ferrandi, Director, KLNB Religious Properties

Stephen Ferrandi is the Director of KLNB Religious Properties, a real estate firm serving religioius clients in Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He is one of the top experts in land development in the region. Mr. Ferrandi frequently contributes real estate related articles to both print and online publications.