Normally for large scale construction it is recommended that you hire professionals to over see the project in its entirety. Of which they would  guide you has they are required to do by law. However for most of the mid and definitely the small scale one there are a few things you need to know. Firstly you need to decide the mode of construction management you are going to adopt.

1. you can hire a contractor and have him procure both labour and material. Using a contract as the instrument of instruction for both parties. Which would be developed from the drawing.
2. You can again hire a contractor but he would only procure the labour whilst, you would procure the material, of course a contract would be used to assist in providing guide lines, though not as comprehensive as in the first case scenario.
3. You can attempt to hire the artisans and run the project has would a contractor, but be warned if you have no experience or knowledge of the field you are heading for trouble.
4. And lastly you can go to an artisan or a group of them and engage them in an informal business transaction with the hope of keeping down cost by cutting out the so called “middle men” the professionals and literally pay through your nose, “penny wise pound foolish”.

I will discuss the pros and cons of all four options. Then guide you through the process of each option’s stages. After which, i will discuss some of the basic construction principles that the lay person should know so has to ensure that quality is assured through out the construction process.