Types of construction
The term ‘construction’ refers to the process of building something such as a house, bridge, tunnel and so on. This may involve new developments, alterations to existing developments, demolition and other activities carried out by building contractors.
There are many different ways of classifying types of construction, including:
- Purpose (demolition, rebuilding, alterations of or additions etc). For more information see: Construction
- Sector (civil engineering, commercial, residential, healthcare etc).
- Structure (timber frame, masonry, fabric structure etc). For more information see: Types of structure.
- Element (wall, roof, tunnel, foundation etc).
- Type of building (dwelling, office, skyscraper etc). For more information see: Types of building.
- Type of contractor (self build, management contractor, construction manager etc). For more information see: Types of contractor.
- Construction technique (kit, modular, prefabricated, in-situ etc).
- Procurement route (design and build, traditional, measurement etc). For more information see: Procurement routes.
- Type of development (Crown build, build to rent, specualtive, bespoke, built to suit etc). For more information see: Types of development.
- Historic period (Roman, Greek, modern etc). For more information see: Style
- Style (brutalist, postmodern, classical etc). For more information see: Style
- Technology (smart, green, low-tech, hi-tech etc).
- Form of contract (JCT, FIDIC, NEC etc).
- Specialism (services, ICT, cladding etc).
- Funding (public, private, public private partnership etc).
- Performance (fire resisting, insulating, sound absorbing etc).
- Health and safety (notifiable, not notifiable).
- Client (experienced, inexperienced, repeat etc).
- Degree of complexity (simple, complex, bespoke etc).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.






















