Construction Phases: A Step-by-Step Guide from Excavation to Turnkey Completion

Çeşme Construction - Yaşar Villa: Land Survey and Site Marking Work

Construction Phases, these are the sequential work items a building goes through—from the site survey to turnkey handover—each of which depends on the completion of the previous one. Since disrupting this sequence means having to tear down and rebuild in later stages, “sequence” is more critical than speed in construction.

Below, we summarize the process we follow for our villa projects in Çeşme and Alaçatı, including what needs to be decided at each step.

Phase One: Site and Project Preparation

  • Zoning status review: Determining the extent and manner of development permitted on the parcel
  • Soil investigation: Determination of the soil's bearing capacity and groundwater conditions
  • Architectural design: Creating floor plans, cross-sections, and elevations
  • Structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering projects: It is produced after the architectural design is finalized

In which we discuss in detail the difference between architectural and structural design our article You can review it.

Phase Two: Permitting and Site Setup

  • Building permit application and municipal approval
  • Contract with a building inspection agency
  • Appointment of a site manager; temporary electricity and water service connections
  • Site safety: perimeter fencing, warning signs, and installation of safety equipment

Phase Three: Excavation and Foundation

  • Identification of adjacent parcels: Prior to excavation, an independent surveying engineer or technician must document the current condition of adjacent parcels by means of a photo-documented report
  • Excavation: Excavation to the elevation determined in the site investigation
  • Grobeton: Leveling concrete poured under the foundation
  • Foundation insulation: Creating the first barrier against water and moisture
  • Reinforcement and concrete: Manufacturing according to the basic type specified in the project

Foundation insulation is an aspect that is nearly impossible to address retroactively. The topic Waterproofing in Buildings We covered this in detail in our article.

Phase Four: Rough Construction

  • Setting up formwork for shear walls, columns, and beams
  • Reinforcement layout and building inspection approval
  • Concrete Pouring and Curing Process
  • Floor construction and access to the upper floor
  • Construction of the roof support system

At every stage, approval must be obtained from the building inspection authority before concrete is poured. These approvals form the backbone of the occupancy permit application.

Stage 5: Shell and Insulation

  • Wall construction and the creation of interior partitions
  • Roofing and Roof Insulation
  • Exterior wall insulation
  • Waterproofing in wet areas
  • Preparing the cutting gaps

Step 6: Plumbing

  • Installation of clean water, wastewater, and heating systems
  • Installation of electrical infrastructure, low-voltage systems, and smart home wiring
  • Infrastructure for custom-built facilities such as swimming pools, saunas, or Turkish baths
  • Leak tests

Planning the smart home infrastructure at this stage is critical; adding it later will require cutting into walls.

Stage Seven: Finishing Touches

  • Plastering and Screeding
  • Floor and wall coverings
  • Window Frame Installation
  • Paint and Decorative Products
  • Kitchen, bathroom, and closet installations
  • Installation of Electrical and Mechanical Fixtures

Stage 8: Landscaping and Handover

  • Retaining walls, garden walls, and parking lots
  • Landscaping, outdoor lighting, and irrigation system
  • General Cleaning and Defect Checklist (Identification of Missing Items and Errors)
  • Construction Inspection Certificate of Completion and Occupancy Permit File
  • Turnkey

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the stages overlap?

Some tasks may overlap. For example, preparatory work for landscaping can begin while fine detailing is still underway. However, the sequence for the structural system, insulation, and plumbing must not be altered; any disruption to the order of these three elements directly results in a loss of quality.

At which stages should the building owner make decisions?

The most critical decisions are made during the project phase. The second decision point is before the plumbing and electrical work begins: the layout of the kitchen and bathroom, as well as the outlet and lighting plans, must be finalized at this stage. The selection of finishes and colors, on the other hand, must be completed before the finishing work begins.

At which stage is it most costly to make changes?

Changes to the layout made after the plumbing has been installed result in the highest costs, as they require the removal of completed work. Changes to the structural system after the rough construction is complete also entail a project revision and a new approval process.

The Imerek Construction Approach

We carry out the rough construction using our own formwork system and our own team; this reduces wait times between phases. Please contact us to plan the workflow of your project together.