Construction Observation: Explained

What is a Construction Observation?

Construction observation is the process of monitoring and inspecting a construction project to ensure that it is being built according to the design plans, specifications, and codes. Construction observers typically visit the site regularly to oversee the progress, check for quality control, resolve any issues, and provide feedback to the project team. This ensures the construction project is completed successfully and meets safety, functionality, and compliance standards

Benefits

Having a construction observer on site can provide numerous benefits, especially with construction safety, such as:

• Ensuring Compliance With Design Plans and Specifications – Construction observers thoroughly understand the project’s design plans and specifications. They can identify any deviations or inconsistencies during construction and work with the project team to rectify them. This helps ensure that the final product meets all requirements.

• Identifying Potential Issues Early On – With their expertise, construction observers can identify potential issues before they become major problems. This allows for timely solutions and prevents costly delays or rework later.

• Improving Quality Control – By closely monitoring construction activities, construction observers can ensure that the materials, techniques, and processes meet industry standards and best practices, resulting in a higher-quality end product.

• Providing an Objective Perspective – Construction observers are independent third parties, which allows them to provide unbiased feedback and recommendations. This can help project teams make informed decisions and avoid potential conflicts.

• Enhancing Safety – Observers are trained to identify potential construction safety hazards. By catching these issues early on, they can help mitigate risks and ensure a safe working environment for all involved.

What to Expect From a Construction Observation

During a site observation, the architect or engineer may perform various tasks such as:

• On-Site Observations – This involves regularly visiting the construction site to observe and document progress, inspect materials, and identify potential issues.

• Contractor Verification – The observer will review the contractor’s work to ensure it meets the plans and specifications and meets quality standards.

• Drawing and Specification Compliance Checks – Observers review the construction documents to ensure they are followed correctly and any changes or modifications are documented appropriately.

• Specialty Compliance Testing – Depending on the project scope, construction observers may perform specialized testing to ensure that materials and systems meet performance standards.

• Specialty Materials Reporting – Observers may provide reports on specialized items, such as concrete strength testing, to ensure compliance with design requirements.

• Inspection and Progress Reporting – The observer will document their findings and regularly provide construction site inspection reports to the project team. This helps keep all stakeholders informed and ensures timely resolution of any issues.

• Punch-List Preparation – Towards the end of the project, construction observers will prepare a punch list to identify any remaining items that require attention before final acceptance.

Components of a Construction Observation Report

A construction site observation report typically includes the following components:

• Identification Details – The report should start with basic details such as the project name, address, date and time of the observation, weather conditions, and names and titles of the observer and any accompanying individuals.

• General Observation Summary – This section provides a concise overview of the overall site condition and the progress of the construction work observed.

• Specific Observations – The observer records detailed observations of specific construction activities, safety observations, environmental considerations, and conformance with construction documents. Photographs and references to specific project plans or drawings are often included to provide context.

• Issues and Noncompliance – Any observed discrepancies, deviations, or concerns regarding the design specifications, industry standards, or safety protocols should be meticulously documented.

• Participants and Communication – A record of any discussions held on-site with the construction team, contractors, or other stakeholders should be included. The topics covered and any immediate actions agreed upon are essential for future reference.

• Recommendations for Corrective Actions – Where problems are identified, the report should propose recommendations or steps to resolve them, including any necessary follow-up.

• Status of Previous Issues – The observer should provide updates on the issues noted in earlier reports, indicating whether and how they have been addressed.

• Next Steps and Follow-ups – The report should outline the necessary next steps and any required follow-up observations or meetings.