Preparation: Survey, Plan, Permits
- On-site measurements and connection points
- Written plan approval and an itemized quote
- Applications as the zoning status requires
Sportaş · Prefabricated Building Installation
Prefabricated Building Installation Process: 12 Stages from Foundation to Handover
If you plan to add a changing room, café or administration building next to your pitch, you will want to know what happens on site, in what order, and what you need to prepare. This page walks through the prefabricated building installation process stage by stage, on the same work schedule as the pitch construction.
- 12 stages, one work schedule
- Factory production while the foundation cures
- A line-by-line handover checklist
Three Phases
Prefabricated Building Installation Runs in Three Phases
We produce the buildings that stand beside a pitch ourselves and install them on the same work schedule as the pitch. The twelve stages fall into three phases.
Ground and Production: Foundation, Factory, Shipping
- Foundation type chosen from the soil survey
- Service sleeves placed before the concrete
- Access road, crane and laydown area
Assembly and Handover: Shell, Services, Testing
- Shell first, then the interior
- Water test before the finishes
- Handover check under four headings
The card images are schematic drawings; they do not show an actual project.
Short Answer
How Is a Prefabricated Building Installed?
A prefabricated building is installed in 12 stages: survey, plan and quote, permits, soil survey and foundation, factory production, shipping, structural frame assembly, wall and roof panels, doors and windows, electrical and plumbing, water test, and handover. Two dependencies set the order: assembly does not start until the foundation concrete has gained its strength, and interior work does not start until the roof is closed. Because the panels are produced in the factory while the foundation cures, the wait is not wasted; when the work runs on the same schedule as the pitch works, the pitch and the building are handed over together.
Work Schedule
Prefabricated Building Installation Alongside Pitch Construction
Starting the building as a separate job after the pitch is finished means digging up finished ground again and bringing the crane in a second time. The chart shows where the two jobs meet; it gives no durations, because the ground, the permits and the weather set the time.
| Pitch stage | At the same time on the building | Why together |
|---|---|---|
| Soil survey and measurement | Survey; building location and floor level | One survey feeds both jobs; the building's level is chosen to suit the pitch drainage. |
| Excavation, infrastructure and drainage | Foundation excavation; foul-water, clean-water and electrical pipes | The excavator is already on site; lines running under the pitch are laid before backfilling. |
| Pitch concrete and tie beams | Foundation concrete | The same concrete delivery and pump; no second pour day is needed. |
| Concrete curing; cage posts, or the steel structure on an indoor pitch | Factory production, then shipping and rough assembly | The crane and access road are shared; heavy-vehicle work finishes before the turf is laid. |
| Artificial turf laying and infill | Doors and windows, electrical and plumbing | Only interior work is left on the building; no vehicles drive onto the turf. |
| Lighting and main panel | Connecting the building's panel; water test | Both are fed from the same main panel; the load is calculated together. |
| Inspection and handover | Handover with a checklist | The facility opens on day one with its changing rooms and showers. |
Phase 1 · Preparation
Before Installation: Survey, Plan and Permits
Nothing is visible on site yet, but the most expensive mistakes are made in this phase.
01
Site Survey and Measurement
- What is done
- The building footprint, its distance to the pitch entrance, the levels, and the electricity, water and sewerage connection points are measured on site; the route the truck and crane will take is walked and checked.
- Client prepares
- Title deed or lease agreement, the pitch plan if there is one, and an estimate of daily users.
- Common mistake
- Choosing the building's position from whatever space is left after the pitch is drawn; the service line gets longer and the players' route winds around.
02
Plan and Quote
- What is done
- The floor plan, service outlets and foundation plan are drawn. In the quote, production and assembly are shown on separate lines from the foundation, connections and transport.
- Client prepares
- Decisions on the number of wet areas, door swings and the equipment list; written approval of the plan.
- Common mistake
- Approving the plan verbally. Moving a shower after production has started disturbs both the panel and the outlet in the foundation.
03
Permits
- What is done
- The applications required by the plot's zoning status are made and the project file is completed.
- Client prepares
- The client is the applicant and obtains written information from the municipality's zoning directorate or the equivalent local authority.
- Common mistake
- Leaving the permit until after assembly. This is the item that most often stretches the schedule; while the building waits, the pitch waits too.
Phase 2 · Stage 04
What Should the Foundation of a Prefabricated Building Be Like?
A prefabricated building is light, but it is not installed without a foundation: the panels fit together only on a flat, level and dry slab.
How is the foundation type chosen?
The soil survey shows the bearing capacity, the need for fill and the groundwater. On firm, level ground a slab with thickened edges is often enough; on sloping or filled ground a continuous footing, and on weak ground ground improvement, comes into question. The structural design decides.
Service outlets
Foul-water, clean-water and electrical pipes are left in sleeves at the approved positions before the concrete is poured. If the position of a floor drain is off, the wet area does not fit the plan.
Level and plumb
The floor level is kept above the surrounding ground and the pitch drainage, and the surrounding ground is sloped away. The slab is levelled and the diagonals are measured: on a slab that is out of square, the panels will not close at the last corner.
Curing
The concrete is kept damp, and the frame is not fixed to it before it reaches sufficient strength. The waiting time depends on the concrete class and the weather; this time is filled by production in the factory.
What the client prepares
- Site water and electricity
- A route for the concrete mixer and pump to approach
- A place to dump the soil from the excavation
Common mistakes
- Pouring the foundation before the plan is approved; the service outlets then have to be opened by breaking the concrete.
- Keeping the floor level the same as the pitch level; at the first downpour the water walks in through the door.
Phase 2 · Stages 05–06
Factory Production, Shipping and Unloading on Site
Installation takes little time on site because most of the work is done in the factory.
05
Factory Production
- What is done
- The structural profiles are cut, the wall and roof panels are sized to the plan, the openings for doors and windows are made, and the parts are numbered in assembly order.
- Client prepares
- Written approval of the external colour, joinery and interior finish choices before production.
- Common mistake
- Finishing production without checking the dimensions of the poured foundation; cutting panels on site costs time and insulation.
06
Shipping and Unloading on Site
- What is done
- The parts are loaded in the reverse of the assembly order; they are unloaded on site by crane or forklift and received after counting and a damage check.
- Client prepares
- An area where the truck can pull in and turn, a clear façade and a covered storage spot.
- Common mistake
- Stacking the panels on bare soil or on laid turf; the panels get crushed and the infill of the turf is disturbed.
Access road
Truck width, turning area and soft ground are considered together; low branches and overhead lines along the route are checked in advance.
Crane
The ground where the crane will stand must be firm and level, and there must be no electrical line under the boom.
Storage
The panels are stacked on blocks, covered and in assembly order; the stack stays outside the pitch and the site road.
Phase 3 · Stages 07–11
How Many Stages Does Prefab Assembly Have? From the Frame to the Water Test
Assembly on site has five stages and their order does not change: the shell is closed first, then the inside is fitted out. When installing a prefabricated changing room, the stage most often skipped is the last one, the water test.
07
Structural Frame Assembly
- What is done
- The columns are connected to the anchors in the foundation slab, and the beams and roof truss are erected; every axis is checked with plumb line and level and then braced.
- Client prepares
- Clears the area around the assembly zone and the façade the crane will work from.
- Common mistake
- Leaving the level check until the panel stage; an error in the frame becomes a joint that will not close in the panel.
08
Wall and Roof Panels
- What is done
- The wall panels are seated on the base profile and lined up in sequence. The roof panels are closed without a break so that the interior is not left open to rain.
- Client prepares
- Confirms where the downpipes will discharge; the panel and insulation have already been chosen in the plan according to climate and use.
- Common mistake
- Starting interior work before the roof is closed; a wet floor delays all the following stages.
09
Doors and Windows
- What is done
- The doors and windows are fitted after the shell is closed, their surroundings are sealed with gaskets and insulation tape, and the leaves are adjusted.
- Client prepares
- A final check of door swing directions and of the threshold of the accessible entrance.
- Common mistake
- Noticing a plan error at this stage; because the openings are cut in the factory, moving a door means replacing a panel.
10
Electrical and Plumbing
- What is done
- The panel board, sockets and light fittings are installed; the clean-water, hot-water and foul-water lines are connected to the outlets left in the foundation. The building's panel is fed from the pitch's main panel.
- Client prepares
- Has the pitch lighting and the building's water heating, climate control and kitchen loads calculated together.
- Common mistake
- Treating the building's panel as independent of the pitch; when the floodlights come on while the showers are running, the main fuse trips.
11
Wet Areas and Water Test
- What is done
- Shower and WC floors are sloped to the floor drain and waterproofed. Before the finishes, the floor is filled with water and left to stand, and the plumbing is tested under pressure.
- Client prepares
- Provides water on site and is present at the test.
- Common mistake
- Doing the test after the finishes; if a leak appears, both the tiles and the waterproofing have to be removed.
Phase 3 · Stage 12
Handover Checklist
Handover is not a signature but a walk-through: the building is toured together, every item is tested on the spot, and the outstanding items are written down with dates. The client joins the tour with the person who will operate the facility. The most common mistake is to test the showers one by one and sign without ever opening them all at once.
Building shell
- No dents, scratches or open joints in the wall and roof panels
- Gutters and downpipes are fitted; water is discharged away from the building
- Doors and windows open and lock easily, and their gaskets are complete
- The surrounding ground slopes away and the floor level is above the ground
Electrical
- The panel is labelled; the residual-current device was tested with its test button
- The earthing measurement record has been handed over
- Every socket and light fitting was switched on one by one
- The water heater and air conditioner are fed from their own circuit breakers
Water and wet areas
- The water test record is signed
- With all showers open at once, the pressure is sufficient and hot water arrives
- The drains take the water without pooling and give off no smell
- The wet-area ventilation works
Documents
- As-built plan and services diagram
- Warranty certificates and user manuals for equipment and materials
- Maintenance instructions and the date of the first maintenance
- Snag list and completion dates in writing
Weather and Season
How Does the Weather Affect Prefabricated Building Installation?
Production in the factory is not affected by the weather; on site three jobs are: concrete, lifting by crane, and insulation.
Rain
Excavation and concrete pouring wait out the rain. If the roof cannot be closed within the same shift, panel assembly is not started.
Frost and cold
In the cold, concrete gains its strength late; curing takes longer and a protective cover is needed. Insulation waits for the temperature the product allows.
Wind
A large panel behaves like a sail on the crane; in strong wind no lifting is done, and a half-finished frame is never left without bracing.
Heat
In summer concrete loses its water quickly; watering and shading are needed. For metal panels that heat up in the sun, assembly is moved to the early hours.
Mud and access
Ground softened in winter and spring will not carry the truck and the crane; the access road is stabilised together with the pitch infrastructure.
Choosing the season
It can be installed in every season; what changes is not the sequence but the waiting allowances. For a facility that has to be ready for the season, the foundation is poured before the frost begins.
After Handover
First Maintenance After Installation
A new building settles in during its first season; four small checks prevent faults that would otherwise require dismantling later.
After the first rain
The roof, gutters and the surroundings of the doors and windows are checked from the inside; any sign of dripping is reported immediately.
Connections in the first weeks
The roof screws, anchor nuts and the hinges of heavily used doors are checked; anything that has worked loose is tightened.
Drains and traps
Dust and mortar residue left from construction collect in the drains; they are cleaned after the first uses.
Before the first winter
The gutters are cleaned; the insulation of external water lines and the water heater's setting are checked.
Price and Permit
Prefabricated Building Price and Permit: Two Short Notes
Price note
The 2026 market estimate for producing and assembling a prefabricated building is in the range of 7,000 – 12,500 ₺/m². Foundation concrete, transport, electricity, water and sewerage connections and subscriptions, equipment and furniture, and VAT are outside this figure. Buildings heavy on wet areas come out near the upper half of the range. The firm price is given as an itemized quote after the survey and the approved plan.
Permit note
In projects in Türkiye, a prefabricated building is subject to zoning legislation like any other structure and requires a building permit: the Zoning Law defines a “structure” to cover permanent or temporary, fixed or mobile facilities, and there is no separate exemption for prefabricated or container buildings. A building occupancy permit is also needed before the structure can be used, and structures without one are not connected to electricity, water or sewerage services. Practice depends on the plot's zoning status, so written information should be obtained from the municipality's zoning directorate before work starts. In projects abroad, local legislation applies; written information should be obtained from the relevant local authority.
This note is for general information only and is not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Prefabricated Building Installation
On a facility whose pitch is open, the façade and access road are closed on the days when the crane and truck are working; the pitch is not let until rough assembly is finished. During the doors-and-windows and services stages only the area around the building is cordoned off, and the pitch can be used.
The external dimensions and the positions of the service outlets are fixed by the concrete. Moving an interior partition wall is possible if production has not started; moving a shower, a toilet or a drain means breaking the concrete.
The panels are produced as smaller modules and shipped at a weight that can be carried by hand or with small lifting equipment. This decision is made at the survey, because the panel length is set in the factory.
They are kept on blocks and covered; but the best course is to tie shipping to the day the foundation will be ready. A load that arrives early carries a risk of damage and theft.
On waterproofed shower and WC floors the drains are plugged, the floor is filled with water and left to stand; damp is looked for at the lower level and along the base of the walls. The clean-water installation is also held under pressure and the connections are checked one by one.
Handover of the assembly and opening the building for use are separate steps. Services can be tested with site water and electricity; for permanent electricity, water and sewerage service in Türkiye, an occupancy permit is required, and elsewhere the local rules apply.
Yes, as long as the shared days are scheduled: the concrete day, the day the crane arrives and the turf laying sit on the same line in both crews' calendars. For this, a single site manager and a single work schedule are used.
The outstanding items are written into a snag list with completion dates and both sides sign. The building can be accepted with items that do not prevent use; handover is not made until the water test, electrical safety and roof watertightness are complete.
Related Pages
The Job Next to the Building: The Pitch
Pitch Construction Guide
The pitch side of the work schedule: six steps from the soil survey to handover.
Read the guide →
Indoor Pitch Roof Systems
If the pitch is indoor, the roof foundation and the crane day also go into the same schedule.
Go to page →
Epoxy Floor Coating
A seamless, easy-to-clean floor for changing rooms, corridors and storage rooms.
Go to page →