Civil works

So far, construction works are usually called civil works. This type of works includes integrated maintenance of construction facilities at all stages, from project development and project documentation approval to routing utilities to the building. Civil works, or turnkey construction, are widely used since a comprehensive approach to solving most installation issues is more beneficial to the customer than searching for individual contractors for different works, while the performance of construction works takes less time.

Civil works are the widest range of multi-field works including the design, preparation and erection of the facility, its finishing, development and further maintenance. Civil works are divided into several basic types depending on materials used, process characteristics and serviceable structural elements.

What is included in civil works? In the construction market, this concept usually means the following:

• surveying;
• engineering and designing;
• preparation;
• excavation or zero cycle works
• concrete works (foundations, walls, columns, slabs, floors);
• erection works (reinforced concrete panels, steel structures, sandwich panels);
• construction of utilities (sewerage, water supply, heating);
• masonry works;
• facade works;
• roofing;
• welding works;
• electrical works
• finishing work

In fact, surveying, engineering and design works go hand in hand since without pre-construction surveying it is impossible to develop a construction plan, while it is not feasible to comply with the project documentation without the surveying control of accuracy of geometric characteristics of the construction facility. So-called ‘zero cycle’ works and preparatory works are also closely interconnected: excavation, foundation construction and soil compaction are impossible without pre-clearing of the construction site, garbage removal, dismantling of old buildings or routing of temporary utilities and roads.

Thus, the construction of any building or structure requires an integrated approach, which is why multi-field maintenance of facilities is called civil works. In addition to the above, full cycle works include direct erection of buildings and their final finishing to be detailed below.

Civil works also include the final stage of construction during which masonry works are performed or prefabricated elements of the building are assembled. Stonework means the construction of buildings from aerocrete, foam blocks, brick and facade finishing using decorative stones. Concrete works mean the development of solid-cast structures of the building, including slabs, the performance of reinforcement works and the installation of formworks.

As for erection works, they are performed using finished parts of prefabricated structures, usually made of metal. Moreover, erection works are a full range of facade, finishing, insulating and roofing works, i.e. measures aimed at the development of the finished building before its commissioning.

Civil works are often referred to as general contracting; while a building company is referred to as a general contractor. It is convenient and cost-effective to engage the same company in general contracting since in this way the customer fully entrusts the construction to a responsible builder, saving his/her time and money!