Enabling works for construction

Enabling works is a generic description for site preparation works that might take place prior to work under the main construction contract.

This could include:

• Demolition.
• Site clearance.
• Tree protection.
• Diversion and/or disconnection of existing site services.
• Geotechnical and exploratory ground investigation.
• Decoupling from existing buildings.
• Decontamination.
• Ground improvement and/or compaction.
• Excavation of known below-ground obstructions.
• Survey work.
• Creation of access routes.
• Perimeter fencing and security provisions.
• Work to neighbouring buildings.
• Discharging planning conditions that must be satisfied prior to construction commencing.
• Historical architectural investigation fieldwork.
• Access ramps.
• Signage provisions.
• Provision of statutory utilities to the site.

Enabling works might be preceded by 'mobilisation' activities, carried out after the client has selected the contractor, but before works commence on site. These are preparatory activities, such as; preparing method statements, arranging road closures, placing necessary sub-contracts, and so on. See Mobilisation for more information.

NB: NRM1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building work, defines enabling works as:

'...works executed ahead of the main building contract. Enabling works are employer and/or project team specified works, which might include a mixture of facilitating works and new building works (e.g. site preparatory works such as major demolition, removal of contaminated materials, reptile mitigation measures, and soil stabilisation; together with new sewers, new access road, new drainage, new retaining walls, and minor new building works).'

This is as opposed to facilitating works, which NRM1 defines as:

‘…all components measured and incorporated in group element 0 (i.e. Facilitating works). Includes specialist works which, normally, need to be completed before any building works can commence (e.g. major demolition works, soil stabilisation works and or temporary diversion of mains drainage).’

Advantages of having an enabling works contract:

• On site sooner.
• Can saves time and money.
• Could have a specialist contractor for carrying out that particular type of works eg. demolition.

Disadvantages:

• The cost and time to make up two separate contracts
• Process complexity involved in making up two separate contracts
• If there are two different contractors; liability and hand-over issues.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Construction phase plan.
• Demolition.
• Ground improvement techniques.
• Handover to the contractor.
• Mobilisation.
• Site clearance.
• Site layout plan.
• Site waste management plan.
• Temporary works.