Construction

This paper, written for the ASCE Manual of Professional Practice for Quality in the Constructed Project, Volume II, presents an overview of the construction industry. The paper is organized in accordance with the recommendations of the Task Committee on Technical Supplements to the Guide. It provides a brief history of the development of the construction industry in the United States and its role in today's society. It describes how the industry is presently organized and functions and the types of construction companies. The paper discusses the various forms of construction contracts including: lump sum, unit price, guaranteed maximum price, cost reimbursable, construction management, and design construct. Important contract provisions are reviewed including: bonding, insurance and indemnification, changed conditions, change orders, schedule, liquidated damages, bonus and penalty provisions, payment terms and retainage, subcontracting, partnering and alternate dispute resolution. The writer explains how construction companies are organized, both in the main office and the field. The elements of construction engineering practice are explained and the qualifications for engineers in construction are presented. The relationships with other civil engineering disciplines and design professionals are discussed.