Quality control in the construction industry plays a crucial role in enhancing the outcomes of construction projects and optimizing cost savings for future endeavors. It encompasses quality assurance measures that ensure adherence to predefined standards throughout the construction process. By implementing effective quality control practices, you can not only enhance the end results but also minimize expenses in every subsequent construction project.
Having a defined QA / QC process and the right tools to execute it will make projects go smoother, reduce mistakes, and help you learn from the ones you do make.
Adding layers to an already complicated construction process might seem like a daunting task, but investing the time and resources in quality control can actually produce a measurable return.
Being proactive about quality control in construction is well worth the investment. Here’s why:
Reduce Subcontractor Callbacks
Implementing quality construction practices and a comprehensive construction quality management plan is crucial for every construction company. By identifying and addressing mistakes early in the process or even preventing them altogether, significant time and costs can be saved on subcontractor rework. Enhancing quality throughout the construction process leads to shorter punch lists and minimizes the need for additional resources to rectify errors.
Maintain Timeline Goals
Completing a project on time without sacrificing quality is a fundamental challenge of the construction industry. With so many moving parts, some delays are inevitable.
However, by integrating quality control throughout the entire process, you can avoid the delays that are caused by unnecessary rework or safety issues. With every project, you can also learn how to reduce future timelines by identifying common challenges and being proactive about avoiding them the next time.
Improve Safety Track Record
Quality control and safety go hand in hand. Regular quality and safety inspections and tests help improve accountability and prevent careless work.
Tracking safety incidents will also help you identify superintendents and subcontractors that need additional training so you can avoid future issues.
A strong track record of fewer safety incidents and having an ongoing safety management system in place will help you reduce insurance costs. You’ll also save money by reducing workers’ compensation claims and compliance penalties.
Be Smarter about Subcontractor Selection
A quality control system that includes tracking subcontractor performance will help you identify the providers that deliver the best results and value for money. By monitoring quality throughout the project and linking subcontractors to inspection results, you can objectively analyze vendors and choose the top performers for future work.
Implementing clear quality management expectations, a robust quality control process, and well-defined quality control procedures facilitate periodic quality inspections and tests in construction projects. These measures hold subcontractors accountable for their work, as they are aware that their performance is continuously assessed. Ensuring quality becomes crucial for them to secure future jobs, fostering a culture of accountability and commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes.
Gain Consistency
Every time you go through the same quality control processes, superintendents and subcontractors learn more about what is expected from them. This helps improve both quality and efficiency on future construction projects.
Any new team members will also have to go through the same processes, so they will quickly learn the best practices and preferred methods to meet quality goals. This enables faster onboarding of new personnel and also provides a useful training tool.
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Quality control in construction involves meticulous inspection of numerous details, often numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. While creating an internal quality control checklist may seem like a logical starting point, it's essential to acknowledge that even seasoned professionals may overlook certain aspects due to the "unknown unknowns" factor. To ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid the need for error-based learning, it is advisable to utilize existing quality control checklists that encompass all relevant CSI divisions. By leveraging these comprehensive checklists, gaps can be minimized, and the expertise of a construction quality control manager can be utilized effectively.
Homegrown solutions may initially feel like a money-saver, but most people quickly learn that internal tools are not comprehensive enough or that they don’t have the in-house skills to develop a system that provides all the desired functionality.
