Job Site Setup – How to Set Up a Construction Site?

Job Site Setup – Definition

During job site setup, the site is surveyed, the ground is prepared, the site is secured, and the entire infrastructure around the site is installed – from access roads to utility lines to site containers, everything is ready for construction to begin. The individual steps of job site setup should be listed in the bill of quantities of the construction contract. It's advisable to coordinate the job site setup plan with the responsible administrative office. Depending on the size of the job site, a notice to the relevant authority must be submitted and clearly posted on the site at least two weeks before setup.

Job Site Setup Plan – How Do You Keep Track?

Details of the job site setup are defined in the job site setup plan. This clearly shows the location of

• security features such as construction fences or barriers
• storage and scaffold areas
• transport facilities such as construction roads and access routes
• equipment and construction machinery such as crane positions
• buildings and containers (for example as break rooms and accommodation, material storage, or sanitary facilities)
• utility lines (for example electricity, water, internet, heating, waste)

Legal Regulations for Job Site Setup – What Must Be Considered?

All guidelines to be observed during job site setup can be found in the Construction Site Ordinance (BaustellV). It consolidates the requirements from the Occupational Safety Act (ArbSchG), the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), and the duty of care for traffic safety.

• §4 of the Occupational Safety Act stipulates that work must be designed in such a way that hazards to life and health are avoided and any remaining hazards are kept as low as possible. All protective measures, including the safety and health plan, must be communicated to employees in an understandable form and language. Violations of the Occupational Safety Act are punishable and can result in imprisonment or a fine (§26 ArbSchG).
• The Workplace Ordinance includes, for example, ensuring clear escape and rescue routes and the availability of first aid materials. Provisions for accommodation and break rooms are also found there.
• Duty of care for traffic safety aims to prevent damage to third parties. Anyone who creates a potential hazard on the job site must take appropriate measures to prevent damage to others. The duty of care ends when construction work is properly completed. However, if construction work is left incomplete—for example due to contract termination—the duty of care only ends when it is assumed by another party. Until then, the previous party responsible for safety must eliminate hazards and prevent damage. This is why an assumption agreement between client and contractor is absolutely recommended to avoid additional costs. Further information on the legal requirements of the Construction Site Ordinance is provided by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

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Job Site Setup – What Costs Are Involved?

Job site setup costs are considered ancillary construction costs. If they are not listed as separate items in the bill of quantities, they are totaled under general job site costs. To reduce job site setup costs as a construction contractor and remain as independent as possible from time delays caused by limited availability of construction equipment, all equipment for job site setup can also be flexibly rented online.

Rent Job Site Setup Equipment from klarx

klarx is Europe's leading digital platform for renting construction equipment, with 530,000 available machines from 5,100 rental partners across Germany. For job site setup, klarx offers a wide selection that customers can efficiently and conveniently rent online – from barriers to construction roads to scaffolding and containers. Even if you order many different pieces of equipment from various rental partners, klarx is your only contract partner, and you receive only one rental invoice for your construction project.