Setting Out in UK Construction: Mistakes That Cost Time and Money

Setting out is one essential aspect of UK construction. It is an important stage during which the design plans are translated to the plot. This is done by marking out the exact positions of different aspects of the structure.

This stage has to be done right to avoid issues and complications as the project progresses. In this article, we will be looking at some common mistakes that can be made at this stage that will cost you time and money.

Using Wrong Plans

As unlikely as this may sound, this is an error that is quite easily made. A plan can be wrong because some adjustments have been made and your copy was not updated. This means that there is a newer version of the plan that you do not have.

This is common on sites where a lot of design adjustments have been made. If the team handling the setting out are not in the loop, they can easily find themselves working with a plan that is many updates out-dated.

A mistake such as this can really be expensive. There can be a misalignment of utilities, concrete poured into wrong locations, or entire sections requiring adjustments. This will of course result in great expense, manpower and man hours, not to mention possible compliance issues with building regulations.

To avoid this, the project management must ensure that everyone involved in the project is in the loop. The setting out team should be in sync with the rest of the team so that they will be updated on every design change in real time. This will ensure that an error such as this is avoided.

Poorly Established Control Points

This error can occur when gridlines, datums or benchmarks are transferred incorrectly. While this error may appear not to mean so much, it can eventually have a huge impact on the project. This is especially the case when it is a large and complex site.

Having wrong control points mean that everything that follows will be off. This can result in alignment issues that can trigger legal proceedings and even a violation of building permissions.

To avoid this type of error, ensure that your setting out engineers are both qualified and have sufficient real-life experience. You should also invest in technological tools that aid in the verification of control points.

You can learn more about establishing control points on construction sites in this article.

Not Considering Site Conditions

No matter how wonderful the plan is on paper, if the site conditions are not considered, then everything could go wrong. Factors like buried obstructions, slopes and undulating ground conditions can result in inaccuracies with the set outs.

If such errors are made, it could compromise the project’s structural integrity, leading to a number of problems in the future. Of course, fixing these problems will cost time and money.

It’s therefore best to properly inspect the site to check for any anomalies. Always compare what is on the plan with what you can visually see on site. A thorough boots-on-ground inspection can save you a lot of heartache down the line.

Not Confirming Tolerances

Tolerances are not the same across all construction projects. A big mistake will be making assumptions what is required is standard tolerance rather than confirming.

Such assumption, if wrong, can mean that the project won’t meet its performance criteria. It could also mean that certain elements may clash. Certain installations may not fit, there may be insulation and waterproofing failures, the list goes on.

Considering how costly this error can be, it is important that tolerances are clarified before setting out. This should be an important part of the pre-construction phase.

Not Properly Documenting Setting Out Records

Keeping proper records is vital in any project and this is no different. It is a big mistake not to properly document records of point coordinates, sign-offs, photos or checks. Without this, it will be difficult to show the work that was done, where it was done and by whom it was done.

This can lead to disputes, finger-pointing and blame games. All of these can result in time wasted in trying to resolve issues.

To avoid this, keep a detailed record of the process. This should include site photos with markers and instruments, daily log sheets, coordinates and even communication logs with the management team. These can be stored securely in the clouds for easy access from any location.

You can learn more about important records to be kept on construction sites here: https://theconstructor.org/.

Conclusion

One thing that is a constant in most UK’s construction sites is pressure. There’s the pressure to deliver quickly and meet tight schedules and timelines. Regardless of how quickly a project needs to get done, accuracy must always take precedence over speed, especially when it comes to setting out.

The entire project rests on the accuracy of the set outs so the process should be handled with the utmost care and precision. By avoiding the mistakes we’ve enumerated above, you will clear the way for the project to move smoothly and quickly.