What Activities Must Be Completed Before Starting Physical Construction on Site

Before any physical construction begins on-site, several critical activities must be completed to ensure a smooth and successful execution phase. In this article, we will walk through the key pre-construction activities every planning engineer or project manager should consider, detailing what each activity involves, how it’s done, when it should take place, typical durations, and its relation to main construction works.

If you’re building a time schedule you have to consider those activities with their realistic duration estimation in order to avoid any delays in this critical phase.

We will discuss 12 of the key pre-construction activities:

Mobilization of Site Office

Installation of Labor Camp

Mobilization for Store & Workshop

Preliminary Surveying Works

Mobilization of Manpower

Geotechnical Testing

Mobilization of Major Equipment

Safety and Environmental Setup

Temporary Utilities (Power, Water, Sewage)

Utility Clearance and Site Access Preparation

Demolishing and Dismantling of Current Structures

Submission of Project Management Plans (Quality, Environmental, and Risk Plans)

In order to learn how to implement those activities in your time schedule, and also learn how to plan for your projects to avoid delays, check out our

1. Mobilization of Site Office

What is it?

The mobilization of the site office involves setting up a temporary office on the construction site to serve as the central hub for project management, coordination, and communication.

How is it done?

Site Selection: Choose a location that is easily accessible and safe.

Transportation: Move office equipment, furniture, and necessary utilities to the site.

Setup: Install temporary structures, set up communication systems, and ensure all utilities (electricity, water, internet) are functional.

When is it done?

This is typically one of the first activities to be completed, often starting immediately after the site is handed over to the contractor.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 1-2 weeks (Could be more based on the number of offices and the level of luxury and utilities provided)

2. Installation of Labor Camp

What is it?

The labor camp provides temporary housing for workers, ensuring they have a place to stay close to the construction site.

How is it done?

Site Preparation: Clear and level the area designated for the labor camp.

Construction: Erect temporary housing units, install necessary utilities (water, electricity, sanitation), and set up common areas.

When is it done?

This activity usually follows the mobilization of the site office and should be completed before the bulk of the workforce arrives.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 2-4 weeks (Also depends on the number of rooms and the level of luxury)

3. Mobilization for Store & Workshop

What is it?

This involves setting up storage facilities and workshops on-site to store materials and tools and to carry out minor fabrication and repairs.

How is it done?

Site Preparation: Choose areas for storage and workshops that reduce logistics problems and delays.

Setup: Erect temporary structures, install shelving, and set up necessary equipment.

When is it done?

This activity should be completed early in the pre-construction phase to ensure that materials and tools are readily available when needed.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 1-2 weeks (depends on the area of the store and workshop)

4. Preliminary Surveying Works

What is it?

Preliminary surveying involves mapping the site, establishing benchmarks, and setting out the construction layout.

How is it done?

Site Survey: Conduct a topographical survey to map the site.

Benchmarking: Establish reference points for elevation and alignment.

Layout Setting: Mark the positions of structures, roads, and utilities based on the construction drawings.

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When is it done?

This activity is typically carried out after the site office is set up but before any major construction work begins.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 1-2 weeks (depends on the site area and geography and the equipment used)

5. Mobilization of Manpower

What is it?

This involves recruiting, hiring, and deploying the necessary workforce to the construction site. This includes the engineering team.

How is it done?

Recruitment: Identify and hire skilled and unskilled labor.

Deployment: Transport workers to the site and assign them to specific tasks.

When is it done?

This activity should be completed before the start of major construction activities to ensure that all necessary personnel are on-site and ready to work.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 2-4 weeks (depends on the level of experience needed and the number of labor needed, as we don’t need all the workforce to be deployed from day 1)

6. Geotechnical Testing

What is it?

Geotechnical testing involves assessing the soil and rock conditions at the site to inform foundation design and construction methods.

How is it done?

Site Investigation: Conduct boreholes, test pits, and soil sampling.

Laboratory Analysis: Analyze soil samples for properties such as strength, density, and moisture content.

When is it done?

This activity is typically carried out during the early stages of the project, often before the design is finalized. The output of this phase is a soil report that specifies the soil characteristics (type of foundation, ground water level, …). These characteristics are needed for the design phase to choose the type and dimensions of the foundations.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 2-4 weeks (depends on the area of the site, test duration, and equipment used)

7. Mobilization of Major Equipment

What is it?

This involves transporting and setting up heavy machinery and equipment required for construction.

How is it done?

Transportation: Arrange for the delivery of equipment to the site.

Setup: Assemble and test equipment to ensure it is operational.

When is it done?

This activity should be completed before the start of major construction activities to ensure that all necessary equipment is available and ready for use.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 1-2 weeks and may be more because we don’t want all the major equipment to arrive at the site at the same time to avoid any logistics clashes. This duration also includes time for setting up the equipment, like erecting tower cranes.

8. Safety and Environmental Setup (Fencing, Signage,…)

What is it?

Safety and Environmental Setup involves implementing measures to ensure worker safety and minimize environmental impact. This includes installing safety equipment (e.g., fencing, signage, fire extinguishers) and environmental controls (e.g., silt fences, dust control, waste management systems).

How is it done?

Safety Measures: Install fencing, safety signage, fire extinguishers, and first aid stations.

Environmental Controls: Set up silt fences, sediment basins, dust suppression systems, and waste disposal areas.

Training: Conduct safety briefings and environmental compliance training for workers.

When is it done?

This activity is carried out immediately after site clearing and before any major construction work begins.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 1-2 weeks

9. Temporary Utilities (Power, Water, Sewage)

What is it?

Temporary Utilities involve setting up provisional connections for electricity, water, and sewage to support construction activities and worker facilities.

How is it done?

Power: Install temporary electrical panels, generators, and distribution lines.

Water: Set up water tanks, pumps, and temporary pipelines.

Sewage: Install portable toilets and temporary sewage systems.

When is it done?

This activity is completed after utility clearance and site access preparation, and before the mobilization of the site office and labor camp.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 2-4 weeks

10. Utility Clearance and Site Access Preparation

What is it?

Utility Clearance and Site Access Preparation involve clearing underground and overhead utilities (e.g., gas lines, electrical cables) and preparing access roads for construction vehicles.

How is it done?

Utility Clearance: Identify and relocate or protect existing utilities.

Access Roads: Clear and level pathways for construction vehicles and equipment.

Signage: Install directional signage and traffic management systems.

When is it done?

This activity is carried out after preliminary surveying and site clearing, and before temporary utilities and major equipment mobilization.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 1-3 weeks (depends on the site area)

11. Demolishing and Dismantling of Current Structures

What is it?

Demolishing and Dismantling of Current Structures involves removing existing buildings, foundations, or obstacles from the site to prepare for new construction.

How is it done?

Assessment: Evaluate the structures to determine the best demolition method (e.g., mechanical, manual).

Demolition: Use heavy equipment (e.g., excavators, bulldozers) or manual labor to dismantle structures.

Waste Management: Remove and dispose of debris in compliance with environmental regulations.

When is it done?

This activity is completed after site clearing and utility clearance, and before geotechnical testing and foundation work.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 2-6 weeks (depending on the size and complexity of structures).

12. Submission of Project Management Plans (Quality, Environmental, and Risk Plans)

What is it?

The submission of project management plans involves preparing and submitting detailed plans to stakeholders, clients, or regulatory authorities. These plans include:

Quality Management Plan: Outlines how quality standards will be achieved and maintained throughout the project.

Environmental Management Plan: Details measures to minimize environmental impact and ensure compliance with regulations.

Risk Management Plan: Identifies potential risks and outlines strategies to mitigate them.

How is it done?

Preparation: Develop each plan in collaboration with relevant stakeholders (e.g., engineers, environmental consultants, risk managers).

Quality Management Plan: Define quality objectives, inspection procedures, and testing protocols.

Environmental Management Plan: Identify environmental risks, mitigation measures, and monitoring procedures.

Risk Management Plan: Conduct risk assessments, prioritize risks, and develop response strategies.

Review and Approval: Submit the plans to the client, regulatory authorities, or other stakeholders for review and approval.

Implementation: Once approved, communicate the plans to the project team and integrate them into daily operations.

When is it done?

This activity is typically completed during the early stages of the project, often before or concurrently with the mobilization of the site office. It must be finalized before physical construction begins.

Estimated Duration:

Duration: 4-6 weeks (depending on the complexity of the project and the approval process).

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