Architecture and construction are time-consuming tasks that may seem complex since they require a variety of skills, including a little bit of physics and maths. The pressure that comes with clients who want buildings that are next to perfect breeds the need for construction specialists who connect architects and others involved in the building exercise. These experts are called construction consultants.
Construction consultants are critical players in the building process, but they are often overlooked. These professionals bridge the gap between the creative vision of architects and the practical realities of construction. They play an essential role in ensuring that architectural designs are realized with precision and adhere to building codes and safety standards. If you’re embarking on a construction project, it’s highly advisable to collaborate with a reputable construction consultancy firm in Ireland to ensure the success of your endeavor.
What are Construction Consultants?
Construction consultants are skilled professionals who provide advice and guidance throughout the construction process according to plans set by architects and designers. They offer services like project management, cost estimation, risk mitigation, compliance checks, and more. A consultant’s main job is to ensure building projects are completed on time, within budget, and in tandem with the architect’s design.
Clients hire a consultant for several reasons, and one crucial role they play is acting as an architect’s “eyes on the ground.” To pursue a career as a building consultant, you should have experience in various construction fields like architecture, structural engineering, site management, and construction engineering.
The Collaboration Between Construction Consultants and Architects
In most construction projects, clients hire architects and construction consultants, expecting both parties to combine their unique skills for the building process to be completed efficiently and timely. The partnership should begin at the earliest stages of a project, like the design development phase.
Architects, being masters of creativity and design, handle the task of crafting aesthetically pleasing structures that are functional and sustainable. However, they may not always have a comprehensive understanding of the practical aspects of bringing their designs to life. That’s where construction consultants come in.
Construction consultants, also known as contractors, use their in-depth knowledge and skills collected from overseeing several construction processes to breathe life into an architectural design. They ensure engineers and contractors have enough materials to build structures, builders follow regulations, and calculate costs to assess the feasibility of the architect’s design.
Moreover, consultants provide valuable feedback on potential challenges and suggest modifications that enhance the design’s constructability without compromising its integrity.
If the communication between designers and consultants is rickety, even the most well-planned projects crumble. A failed communication channel between the two direly affects time management, budgets, contracts, and, most importantly, the end product of the building project. Such issues encourage clients to adopt systems like the Integrated Project Delivery(IPD).
IPD is an innovative construction project delivery approach that connects key stakeholders involved in design, fabrication, and construction under a unified agreement. According to construction professionals, the method promotes seamless coordination and effective communication among the project team, optimizing project outcomes.
How Construction Consultants Ensure Precision in the Realization of Designs
Reviewing and Evaluation
Construction consultants work closely with architects and engineers to ensure the design’s intent is met. They review design drawings and specifications, ensuring they are clear, complete, and feasible for construction.
Design Services During Construction (DSDC)
During the building process, design issues that architects may not have spotted during the initial phases can emerge. In such situations, construction consultants are required to step up and provide solutions to counter the design flaws while maintaining both the dream of the client and the designer’s proposed plan at large.
Implementation of Projects
Consultants, being on the ground where the building process takes place, assist and ensure the architect’s design and solutions to problems are implemented.
Material Selection
When an architect selects materials during the design development phase, consultants can advise and issue suggestions on what is usable, affordable, or hard to access, generally simplifying the construction process.
Quality Control and Assurance
Construction consultants conduct site inspections and compliance checks and point out issues during the building process. Their hands-on approach ensures builders and engineers meet and maintain the set quality standards from the start to the end of the projects.
In the end, the role of the construction consultants is mainly coordinating all parties involved in the task and ensuring its success.