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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
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Fundamentals: The ten biggest inefficiencies in building

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    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011 edited
     
    1) mistakes!
    2) joining up trades
    3) collecting materials
    4) waste
    5) hold ups -- not "planning the flight or flying the plan"
    6) Planning of works
    7) poor communication
    8) changes of plans or of mind
    9) Architects
    10) Structural Engineers
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    PLANNING!! :devil::devil::devil::devil:
  3.  
    Poor communication
  4.  
    - changes of mind during the build

    - making design decisions during the build

    which then have cascading effects as listed in tony's op

    In flying there is a saying "plan the flight, fly the plan" Is this possible in construction? Has anyone here ever worked on a significantly sized project that followed the plan as first specified? I would be suprised.
    • CommentAuthorFred56
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    The Code for Sustainable Homes. The ideal way to make small scale building unsustainable.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    People in it.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011 edited
     
    Posted By: bot de pailleIn flying there is a saying "plan the flight, fly the plan" Is this possible in construction? Has anyone here ever worked on a significantly sized project that followed the plan as first specified? I would be suprised.


    I went to look at the manufacturing of some timber framed houses and the production manager was telling me that, even though the plans show where pipes need to run and appropriate notched and holes are in place, plumbers still need to drill though in inappropriate places. So I guess planning is the problem in the building trade, of lack of it.
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    One of the biggest embuggerments is customers changing their mind and insisting they take their time doing it.
  9.  
    Although one could get frustrated with changes to the plan during the build and its effects on costs and efficiencies, I ask my self if a project that didnt change and evolve would be as interesting.
    •  
      CommentAuthorted
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    There's a video somewhere that shows the world record attempt at building a house - can't find the details but it is less than 24 hours.

    All down to preparation, planning and using pre-built components.
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      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    •  
      CommentAuthorted
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    The latest one is here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2HqW-AAb20 and the record has moved on a little since I last looked - only 2 hours now.

    But who would want to live in such a house? And despite its 'efficiency' it is probably no cheaper than a build that takes much longer but uses far fewer people and less planning?
    • CommentAuthormartin1974
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2011
     
    Posted By: JoinerOne of the biggest embuggerments is customers changing their mind and insisting they take their time doing it.

    And then get shirtey when you suggest they should pay for the changes
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 24th 2011
     
    :thumbup: :clap:
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 25th 2011
     
    Posted By: SteamyTeaI went to look at the manufacturing of some timber framed houses and the production manager was telling me that, even though the plans show where pipes need to run and appropriate notched and holes are in place, plumbers still need to drill though in inappropriate places.

    Was that a statement that there are limits to how far it's possible to plan, or a statement that all plumbers are < insert epithet of choice >?

    [not offering a view myself, you understand]
  16.  
    1) Architects
    2) Architects
    3) Architects
    4) Architects
    5) Architects
    6) Architects
    7) A couple of married architects
    8) Did I mention architects?
  17.  
    Posted By: hedgecarpenter1) Architects
    2) Architects
    3) Architects
    4) Architects
    5) Architects
    6) Architects
    7) A couple of married architects
    8) Did I mention architects?


    I'm pretty sure that structural engineers should be in there somewhere. It seems that they over-design everything massively to ensure there's never a claim against their insurance, even where it is not necessary....
  18.  
    No, I quite like structural engineers. Give 'em a pencil and a piece of paper and tell them to show you their calculations before they send in their invoice and most will. I've always found them especially keen when offered a percentage of any savings produced from a 'Value Management Exercise'.

    Ask an architect to justify why a supermarket needs another mock Georgian clock tower and prepare yourself for some waffle and probably a request for yet another increase in the budget.
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011
     
    Trouble is, there are numerous instances where major delays have been caused BECAUSE no architect/technician/plan-drawer was employed.

    Horses for courses. There are an awful lot of people who think building work is as simple as it looks! :wink:
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011 edited
     
    Posted By: Joinerno architect/technician/plan-drawer was employed.

    This begs the question, 'why are our buildings so badly built?'
  21.  
    I am with you all the way MarkBennett, although, was mine qualified to be called a structural engineer, hmmmm. Yes, I remember he must have been because his first invoice was massive and the calcs had errors in them, building regs asked for revised calcs so he billed me again!!!!! When I questioned the lovely man he said that if I wanted my house to be covered by his insurance then I had better pay up!!! Ohhhh yes, he was a true structural engineer.
    By the way, on a serious matter, what body would I complain to regarding his attitude and threats?
    Gusty.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011
     
    I often wonder why BC can't check the calculations. Why do they need to rely on a Chartered Engineer. Not rocket science (which is easy as well) as buildings don't move. All that is needed is a basic understanding of which way the forces are acting (mostly downwards), knowing the difference between tensile and compression loads, the material properties and minimum limits/standards.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011
     
    Posted By: gustyturbineOhhhh yes, he was a true structural engineer.
    By the way, on a serious matter, what body would I complain to regarding his attitude and threats?
    Gusty.

    Well, you'd like to hope he was a Chartered Engineer, in which case he's registered with one of the institutions listed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartered_Engineer_(UK)#Bodies_qualified_to_register_Chartered_Engineers
    and you could contact them. They all have codes of conduct. Perhaps the Institution of Structural Engineers
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011 edited
     
    "This begs the question, 'why are our buildings so badly built?'"

    Nothing to do with delays, per se. That's a whole different thread. :wink:
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011
     
    Posted By: SteamyTeaI often wonder why BC can't check the calculations. Why do they need to rely on a Chartered Engineer

    Well, partly it's a closed-shop drive up the market price thing. And partly it's the PI insurance, public safety thing.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011
     
    I reckon it is all to do with buck passing of the liabilities
    • CommentAuthorwookey
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2011
     
    Structural sums appears to be one area which is not actually stitched-up. So far as I can tell anyone can submit calculations - they just have to be right. Maybe my BC is just slack but they didn't query my sums.
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 28th 2011
     
    My son did all his own calculations for his barn conversion roof and the BCO refused to accept them. The SE just confirmed the calcs and didn't charge him.
    • CommentAuthoran02ew
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2011
     
    Has anyone mentioned money? surly the biggest damaging effect on our building is MONEY or lack of it/or trades trying to cut corners to make more of it.
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2011
     
    Or trades being asked to cut corners to make more of it, which involves changes to plans/schedules and subsequent knock-on effects with other trades/suppliers.

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