How to prepare construction documentation in 5 steps?

Construction is a major undertaking. The new building fits in with its surroundings, with the landscape, it will draw water and discharge waste water, and will certainly become a consumer of electricity and possibly gas. Its erection must not interfere with the legitimate interests of neighbours (e.g. by cutting them off from access to sunlight). The building must also be a safe building both for its occupants or users and for its surroundings.

One of the means of ensuring all of this is the construction documentation, i.e. all the documents necessary for the pre-construction documentation carried out during the construction work and the documentation necessary after completion. Building site documentation includes cumbersome paperwork, but producing it reliably and storing it safely always pays off.

How does the preparation of construction documentation for a modular building differ from traditional construction? What should you focus on when realising a modular investment?
Article How to prepare construction documentation in 5 steps?
Step one - necessary permits etc.

The beginning of any construction project is the building plan, but it does not come out of nowhere. This is because the designer has to take into account not only the wishes of the investor, but also, if not primarily, the conditions arising from the zoning plan or the decision on development conditions. If the municipal council has adopted a zoning plan, it can be found in the relevant department of architecture. If there is no zoning plan, an application for a decision on development conditions must be submitted to the municipal council. In the application, you must specify what you want to build and give the characteristics of the planned building. A photocopy (2 copies) of the survey map of the relevant plot of land must be enclosed.

On the basis of the plan or decision, the design of the building can already begin. The design should include a plot development plan and a proper architectural and construction design. The preparation (in four copies) of the design may only be carried out by a person with the necessary authorisation.

When deciding to carry out a project using modular technology, one must bear in mind the skeletal structure of modular buildings, which the designer must also take into account in the architectural and construction design. The main difference arises from the need to divide the building into modules, which is easiest in the case of buildings with a repetitive layout of rooms and a rectangular body. The selection of a suitable façade and walls with a bridgeless structure must also be taken into account. As a general contractor, we offer full support in the process of adapting a building to the requirements of modular technology, or we can carry out this process ourselves in consultation with the client.

Having already:

• construction project,
• zoning plan or zoning decision,
• a statement of the right to use the property for construction purposes,
• any opinions and approvals required by the municipality

you can apply to the relevant district chief administrative officer or the mayor of a city with district rights for a building permit. If the decision of the local authority is negative, it can be appealed to the provincial governor.
Step two: before work begins

The lucky building permit holder should now enter into a contract with the contractor. The contract for the construction work should be detailed, specify everything necessary and safeguard the interests of both parties.

Once it is known who will start the construction work and when, it is necessary to notify the local authority of the planned start of the work. The notification alone is not sufficient: you must present declarations from the site manager and the supervising inspector that they have accepted the construction-related duties. If the authority does not issue an objection decision within 30 days, work can begin.

At the same time, an application must be made for a construction log, which is a special document in which the construction manager will record all relevant events occurring during the construction. It is also up to him to keep this document. The construction log may only be dispensed with if the works do not require a building permit, but only a notification.
Step three: handover of the site and acceptance protocols

The investor hands over the construction site to the contractor, for which the latter is henceforth responsible. This requires a protocol to be drawn up, as do the partial, final and final acceptance of individual works. Final acceptance is carried out after the expiry of the guarantee and/or warranty provided by the contractor. Each partial completion of the works and the completion should also be recorded in a detailed protocol.
Step four: notification of construction completion

Now the County Supervision Inspectorate comes into play. The builder files a notice of completion and an application for an occupancy permit with him. Along with the application, the construction logbook and a statement regarding the development of adjacent areas must be submitted to the inspectorate. If there are test reports, these must also be attached. The district inspectorate has two weeks to respond. If it does not raise an objection within this time, the construction is officially complete.
Step five: authorisation of use

An application for an occupancy permit can be submitted together with the notice of completion of the construction or upon official completion. Such permission is necessary if it concerns a multi-family building or a public facility. Single-family houses, garages, summer cottages, etc. can generally be used on the basis of a notice of completion.

Throughout the process, the only difference between modular and traditional construction is the building design, which has to be adapted to the technological requirements. A prefabricated building using modular technology has a steel structure and its design takes into account the division of rooms into modules. It is very easy to make the appropriate changes, in which we also provide full support to the investor.