INTRODUCTION

The Building and Construction Authority launched Volume One of the Good Industry
Practices Guide on "Design and Material Selection for Quality" in 2008. The guide
attempted to showcase buildable and constructible designs that facilitate good
workmanship as observed in various projects with high CONQUAS and QM scores.
This includes the use of steel structures, drywall partitions, precast elements,
prefabricated bathrooms and other factory made components for higher productivity,
faster completion time and better build quality. This second volume continues from
where the first volume has left. It now focuses on material selection, primarily the
architectural components, that impacts quality during construction.
Quality often comes at a price. It would be ideal if higher quality can be achieved
without increasing costs. Apart from initial costs, the chosen product must also be
functional, aesthetically pleasing, easy to install and maintain thereafter. Generally,
though not always, the use of higher quality material may incur higher initial cost. This
has to be balanced against possible savings in time (due to ease of installation), better
customer satisfaction (due to better quality workmanship) and lower maintenance
costs during use (due to less defects and durability of the product). Apart from
these, there are other intangible benefits to the developer or builders reputation, if
they consistently deliver high quality projects. These factors need to be considered
and balanced against each other when making a choice of which material to use.
For example, some choices highlighted in this guide, like use of special fillers and
techniques to repair and restore stone and timber are costly and are not intended for
ordinary or widespread use. They are presented in this guide to highlight the availability
of such precision techniques which can be utilised where circumstances permit.
Unlike manufacturing, construction is often carried out in an open environment
subject to unpredictable weather conditions and other environmental factors. This
affects productivity and quality outcomes. Build quality is often dependant on the
skill level of the workmen employed and how trade sub-contractors are managed and
co-ordinated. This can be minimized by shifting much of the work to a manufacturing
or factory environment which is not affected by weather conditions and the
processes are largely automated. Thus the use of precisely made factory products
requiring minimal on-site labour for installation will help to raise productivity levels,
ensure better consistency in workmanship and improve overall build quality. This is
evident from the many materials listed in this guide.