Temporary protection plays an important role in protecting completed work throughout a housebuilding project. But with multiple plots, trades and construction stages to manage, planning what protection is needed and when can be challenging.
From groundworks and structural work through to first fix, second fix and final completion, different areas of a development require different types of temporary protection.
Getting this right can help housebuilders protect finished surfaces, reduce the risk of damage and ensure the right products are available when they are needed.
That’s why we’ve developed the PROGUARD® Housebuilder Protection Plan - a free online tool designed to make planning temporary protection across a housing development easier.
Why is temporary protection important in housebuilding?
As a new home progresses through construction, completed areas can be exposed to damage from ongoing work, materials, tools, equipment and multiple trades working across the site.
Once a floor, staircase, door, worktop or other finished surface has been installed, protecting it while the rest of the build continues becomes increasingly important.
For housebuilders managing multiple plots, this can create a significant planning challenge.
You need to consider:
- Which areas require protection at each stage?
- Which protection products are most suitable?
- How much material will be required?
- When will each product be needed?
- How can protection requirements be coordinated across multiple plots?
- Can products be delivered in phases to match the construction programme?
Planning these requirements in advance can make temporary protection easier to manage across the development.
Planning protection stage by stage
Temporary protection requirements change as a housebuilding project progresses.
Early construction stages
During the initial stages of construction, protection requirements may focus on areas such as access routes, structural elements and surfaces that could be affected by ongoing construction activity.
As more areas of the property are completed, the focus shifts towards protecting newly installed finishes.
First fix and second fix
As services, joinery and other internal elements are installed, there are more completed surfaces and products that need to be protected from damage.
At this stage, protecting floors, stairs, doors and other finished areas can become increasingly important as different trades move through the property.
Final stages
During the final stages of a development, properties may contain many newly completed surfaces while snagging, decorating, cleaning and other activities are still taking place.
Effective temporary protection can help safeguard these finished areas until the property is ready for handover.
The challenge of managing multiple plots
On a larger housing development, temporary protection isn't simply about deciding what one property needs.
Housebuilders may be managing dozens or hundreds of plots, all at different stages of construction.
This makes estimating quantities and coordinating deliveries more complicated.
Ordering everything at the beginning of a project may result in products being stored on site before they are needed. Ordering too late, however, could mean protection isn't available when a particular build stage begins.
A phased approach to temporary protection can help align product requirements with the construction programme.
Introducing the PROGUARD® Housebuilder Protection Plan
To make this process easier, we've created the PROGUARD® Housebuilder Protection Plan.
The free online tool allows you to enter the number of plots in your development and generate a personalised Protection Plan.
The plan provides:
Recommended protection products
Identify the types of temporary protection recommended for different stages of a housebuilding project.
Estimated quantities
Get an indication of the quantities required based on the number of plots in your development.
A personalised PDF report
Generate a PDF report that can be saved and shared with colleagues, site teams and purchasing teams.
Phased call-off planning
Plan protection requirements in stages to help coordinate deliveries with the progress of your development.
Make temporary protection part of the project plan
Temporary protection is often considered as individual products are required on site. Taking a more structured approach can help housebuilders consider protection requirements earlier in the construction process.
By planning protection alongside the wider build programme, teams can have greater visibility of what products may be required, the quantities involved and when they are likely to be needed.
The PROGUARD® Housebuilder Protection Plan provides a starting point for this process.
Whether you're working on a smaller development or a large housing scheme, the tool can help you build a clearer picture of your temporary protection requirements.
Create your free Protection Plan
Planning a housing development?
If you'd like to discuss your project or have questions about temporary protection requirements, our team is also available to help.
