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There are many different types of construction. Most think of dwellings, but when driving past road crews tearing up the streets, that’s also an example of a construction project. In fact, there are many different types of construction projects.

Let’s review different types of construction, defining and illustrating them so they are clear and understandable. We’ll also look at international building codes and how construction project management software helps deliver all types of construction more efficiently.

1. Residential Construction

Likely the most familiar type of construction is residential. It refers to the process of building, renovating or remodeling homes and other living spaces. Residential construction involves the creation of structures intended for individuals or families to live in.

This type of construction can range from small single-family homes to large multi-unit buildings, from new builds to extensive renovations or additions with varying complexities based on design, location and building materials. Here are some examples.

  • Single-family homes
  • Custom home construction
  • Apartment complexes
  • Townhouses

Regardless of whether a general contractor builds residential or any other types of construction that we’ll list below, they’ll work more effectively with construction project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with multiple construction planning and scheduling tools.

Construction managers can use robust Gantt charts to schedule tasks and resources, linking all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays or cost overruns and keep their profit margin. They can also filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track progress in real time. Meanwhile, subcontractors and site crews can execute tasks with task lists with unlimited file storage, comments, tags, priority and more. There are also kanban boards to visualize workflow and calendars to provide a monthly overview to keep stakeholders updated on progress. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA.pngProjectManager has powerful Gantt charts to schedule and track construction projects. Learn more

2. Commercial Construction

Another one of the types of construction is commercial, which refers to the building, renovation or expansion of structures intended for business purposes rather than residential living. These projects are typically larger in scale and can include a variety of buildings and facilities that serve the needs of businesses, organizations and the general public.

These construction projects often involve complex design and considerations, adherence to safety and zoning regulations and using specialized materials and construction planning techniques. These buildings are typically intended to generate revenue or provide services to the public. They include the following.

  • Office buildings
  • Shopping malls
  • Hotels

3. Industrial Construction

Another one of the types of construction is industrial, which is the building, renovation or expansion of facilities used for industrial purposes, such as manufacturing, processing, storage or the production of goods. These projects are typically large-scale and require specialized designs, materials and construction techniques to accommodate the specific needs of the industries, such as factories, power plants or chemical processing plants.

Industrial construction projects are often highly specialized and must comply with stringent safety, environmental and operations standards. These facilities typically require robust infrastructure to support heavy machinery, storage systems and production processes. Examples include the following.

  • Factories
  • Power plants
  • Oil refineries

4. Infrastructure Construction

Types of construction can also include infrastructure construction. It involves the building, engineering, upgrading and maintenance of essential systems and facilities that support the functioning of a society and economy. These projects typically focus on large-scale public works and utilities, aimed at providing transportation, water, energy and communication services to communities. Infrastructure construction is critical for the development and functioning of cities, regions and nations.

Government agencies often fund these construction projects. They are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of cities, industries and transportation networks. These projects require long-term planning, substantial investment and adherence to safety, environmental and regulatory standards. Different types of construction can include the following.

  • Highways
  • Railways
  • Airport construction

5. Civil Engineering Projects

Civil engineering projects are types of construction that involve the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure systems that are essential for society’s functioning. These projects are typically large in scale and focus on public works, including transportation, water management, energy and other critical facilities. Civil engineering projects aim to improve and maintain the built environment, ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainability.

These construction projects require advanced knowledge of construction techniques, material science, environmental considerations and regulatory compliance. They play a key role in improving quality of life, boosting economic activity and ensuring the safety and sustainability of urban and rural environments. These projects tend to be one of the following.

  • Bridge construction
  • Tunnel excavation
  • Dam building

6. Mixed-Use Development

Types of construction like this refer to real-estate development that combines multiple types of users or functions within a single site plan or area. The goal is to create a more integrated, sustainable and vibrant environment by bringing together different spaces that support one another.

The benefits of mixed-use development include reducing traffic congestion, improving the efficiency of infrastructure, fostering community interaction and promoting sustainable land use. These uses typically include the following.

  • Residential and retail complexes
  • Live-work spaces
  • Urban redevelopment projects
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7. Institutional Construction

Construction projects that build or renovate structures designed for public, educational, healthcare, government or similar uses are called institutional construction. These projects typically involve the construction of facilities that serve the community or specific organizations rather than private or commercial interests.

These types of construction project often require careful planning to meet specific regulatory, accessibility and safety standards, and they may be funded by government or nonprofit organizations. These buildings typically have large groups of people and are designed with long-term use, functionality and public safety in mind. These are some examples.

  • Schools, universities and educational facilities
  • Hospitals and healthcare facilities
  • Government buildings

8. Modular Construction

When referring to these types of construction, one is talking about a method of building where a structure is created off-site in separate, prefabricated sections or modules that are then transported to the construction site and assembled. Each module is built to the same standards as traditional construction, but the modular method allows for faster assembly because much of the work is done in a controlled environment.

Besides prefabrication, other key features of modular construction include efficiency, flexibility, quality control and sustainability. Examples of this construction project include the following.

  • Portable classrooms
  • Modular healthcare clinics
  • Prefabricated office spaces

9. Prefabricated Construction

Modular construction is a type of prefabricated construction, which is a broader term that refers to any building or construction components manufactured off-site in a controlled factory environment before being transported to the construction site for assembly. These components can include walls, floors, roofs and other structural elements. The key idea is that parts of the building are pre-made, which can speed up the on-site construction process and facilitate construction quality control.

Types of construction that are prefabricated include panelized construction, precast concrete and volumetric construction. These are typical examples of this type of construction project.

  • Prefab homes
  • Prefabricated warehouses
  • Prefabricated bridge components

10. Land Reclamation Construction

These types of construction refer to creating new land by altering bodies of water or by improving existing land areas unsuitable for development. This is typically done to expand usable land for urban development, infrastructure projects, agriculture or other human activities.

The goal of land reclamation is to make previously unusable or underutilized land viable for construction and other purposes. Overall, these construction projects are a significant engineering and construction challenge that often requires careful planning, environmental management and long-term sustainability considerations. They include the following.

  • Coastal landfills for urban development
  • Artificial islands (e.g., Palm Jumeirah in Dubai)
  • Wetland restoration projects
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Building Construction Types According to the International Building Code

The International Building Code (IBC) classifies buildings into five primary construction types based on the materials used in the structure and their fire-resistance ratings. These classifications help determine the safety standards for the design and construction of buildings, including fire protection, structural integrity and building durability. Below are short definitions of each.

Type I: Fire Resistive Construction

The key characteristic of Type I construction is that it provides the highest level of fire resistance, with walls, floors and structural elements designed to withstand fire for a significant period (usually two to four hours, depending on the specific element). These buildings are made of non-combustible materials like concrete, steel or masonry. This is used for high-rise buildings, hospitals and large commercial or institutional structures.

Type II: Non-Combustible Construction

These buildings have fire-resistant features, but they don’t offer the same level of protection as Type I buildings. Fire-resistant ratings are typically between one and two hours. These construction products include steel or concrete for structural elements, but the fireproofing is less stringent than Type I. This code is used for mid-rise commercial buildings and warehouses.

Type III: Ordinary Construction

These buildings are less fire resistant than Type I and II buildings but still provide some protection due to the masonry on non-combustible exterior walls. Interior elements may be made of wood or other combustible materials. It’s commonly seen in older buildings, low-to-mid-rise commercial structures and apartment buildings.

Type IV: Heavy Timber Construction

The heavy timber construction can improve fire resistance due to the charring effect of large wooden beams, which creates a protective layer that resists further combustion. These construction projects are made with large, heavy wood beams, columns and floors, with limited use of steel and masonry. They’re used in buildings where aesthetics or design flexibility with exposed wood are important, such as barns, warehouses and certain commercial or industrial buildings.

Type V: Wood-Framed Construction

Type V buildings are made entirely of combustible materials, such as wood or other lightweight materials. This is the most common construction type for residential buildings. Because it’s made from wood, these types of construction have the least fire resistance compared to the other types. Fire ratings for structural elements are typically limited to one hour or less.

ProjectManager Helps Manage All Types of Construction Projects

There are a lot of types of construction, but regardless of the construction project, it is best served with project management software. Of course, not all construction project management software is the same. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that’s preferred by construction firms both large and small. Our multiple project views help plan and execute work, both in the office and on the job site. But that’s only the beginning of the advantages using our software provides to construction professionals.

Robust Resource Management and Cost Tracking Features

When scheduling tasks on Gantt charts, general managers can also schedule resources, both human and nonhuman, including their costs. This helps estimate the cost of the project to protect your profit margin and deliver more accurate estimates when bidding. Once the job has been awarded, construction managers can set the availability of their team, including PTO, vacation and global holidays, as well as skill sets. This makes it easier to assign tasks.

There’s also a color-coded workload chart to get an overview of resource allocation and balance the workload to keep teams working at capacity without risking burnout. A team page gives a daily and weekly view of the team’s activities, which can be filtered to show priority, progress and more. Secure timesheets streamline payroll and provide a window into labor costs to help keep to the budget.

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Real-time Online Project Dashboards and Reports

Once the construction project is executed, monitoring progress and performance is crucial to delivering on time and within budget. After setting the baseline on the Gantt chart, our software automatically collects live data and displays it on easy-to-read graphs and charts for a high-level overview. Managers can quickly discern cost, time, workload and more. For more detail, toggle to the customizable reports, such as status, portfolio, timesheet, variance, workload and more. All reports can be filtered to get into the weeds or provide a more general summary to share with stakeholders and keep them informed.

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Related Construction Project Management Content

Construction project management is a big field. We’ve hardly scratched the surface in this article. For those who want to read more about Gantt charts, construction contracts, download free templates and more, click on any of the recently published blogs below.

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, on the job site or anywhere else. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post 10 Types of Construction Projects with Examples appeared first on ProjectManager.

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