Construction vs. Installation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 5, 2023
Construction is the process of building structures from the ground up; installation is the setting up or fixing of components within a structure.
Difference Between Construction and Installation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Construction refers to the process of constructing buildings or infrastructure. This process involves material, labor, machinery, and design. Installation, on the other hand, pertains to the process of setting up equipment, systems, or components within a built environment.
Construction is the creation of a new structure where there was none before, involving a combination of on-site work and prefabrication. Installation often occurs within completed structures or those under construction, involving the placement and fixing of finished components, such as cabinetry, appliances, or systems like HVAC.
The scope of construction is broader, encompassing planning, design, site development, building, and finishing. Installation is a part of the broader construction process but can also occur independently for upgrades or additions to existing structures.
Construction projects are managed by contractors who oversee the complete development of a building, from the foundation to the roofing. Installation projects might be managed by specialists in specific systems, such as electricians, plumbers, or IT network installers, focusing on specific parts of a construction project.
In construction, the outcome is a complete, usable structure like a home, office, or bridge. With installation, the result is a functioning component or system within the scope of the larger structure, such as a security system in an office building or plumbing in a home.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Building of structures from the ground up
Setting up or fixing of components
Scope
Entire buildings or infrastructures
Components within structures
Process
Involves planning, design, building
Focuses on placing and fixing systems
End Result
Complete, usable structures
Functional systems or components
Specialists Involved
General contractors, construction workers
Technicians, system installers
Compare with Definitions
Construction
Construction involves various phases including planning, execution, and inspection.
The construction phase was delayed due to unforeseen environmental factors.
Installation
Installation can be an integral part of finishing a construction project.
After the building's structure is up, the next step is the installation of electrical wiring.
Construction
Construction projects require compliance with safety and building codes.
Construction plans were revised to meet the latest building codes.
Installation
Installation refers to the process of setting up equipment or systems.
The installation of the new heating system will be completed by Friday.
Construction
Construction is a general term meaning the art and science to form objects, systems, or organizations, and comes from Latin constructio (from com- "together" and struere "to pile up") and Old French construction. To construct is the verb: the act of building, and the noun is construction: how something is built, the nature of its structure.
Installation
Installation involves precise work to ensure that components function properly.
He specializes in the installation of high-end audio equipment.
Construction
The act or process of constructing.
Installation
Installation often requires technical expertise and knowledge of specific systems.
The software installation was handled by a skilled IT technician.
Construction
The art, trade, or work of building
An engineer trained in highway construction.
Worked in construction for seven years.
Installation
Installation services can include updates and maintenance of systems.
The company offers free installation and setup for all its appliances.
Construction
A structure, such as a building, framework, or model.
Installation
The act of installing.
Construction
Something fashioned or devised systematically
A nation that was glorious in its historical construction.
Installation
The state of being installed. Also called installment2.
Construction
An artistic composition using various materials; an assemblage or a collage.
Installation
A system of machinery or other apparatus set up for use.
Construction
The way in which something is built or put together
A shelter of simple construction.
Installation
A permanent military base.
Construction
The interpretation or explanation given to an expression or a statement
I was inclined to put a favorable construction on his reply.
Installation
An example of installation art.
Construction
(Grammar) An arrangement of words forming a grammatical phrase, clause, or sentence.
Installation
An act of installing.
Construction
The process of constructing.
Construction is underway on the new bridge.
Installation
Something installed, especially the whole of a system of machines, apparatus, and accessories, when set up and arranged for practical working, as in electric lighting, transmission of power, etc.
Construction
Anything that has been constructed.
The engineer marvelled at his construction.
Installation
A work of installation art.
Construction
The trade of building structures.
He had worked in construction all his life.
Installation
A grouping of facilities that constitute a permanent military base.
Construction
A building, model or some other structure.
The office was a construction of steel and glass.
Installation
The act of installing; as, the installation of the air conditioner took half an hour.
Construction
(arts) A (usually non-representational) structure, such as a collage etc.
"Construction in string and clockwork" took first prize.
Installation
The act of installing (a person) or giving possession of an office, rank, or order, with the usual rites or ceremonies; as, the installation of an ordained minister in a parish.
On the election, the bishop gives a mandate for his installation.
Construction
The manner in which something is built.
A thing of simple construction.
Installation
The whole of a system of machines, apparatus, and accessories, sometimes including the buildings and gorounds on which they are located, when set up and arranged for practical working, as in electric lighting, transmission of power, etc.; as, our installation in Baton Rouge can produce ten thousand gallons a day; we should move our drying installation from building A to building B.
Construction
(grammar) A group of words arranged to form a meaningful phrase.
Installation
The whole of a military base, post, camp, outpost, etc., constructed and operated for support of military operations.
Construction
The act or result of construing the meaning of something.
American conservatives tend to favor strict construction of the Constitution.
Installation
The act of installing something (as equipment);
The telephone installation took only a few minutes
Construction
The meaning or interpretation of a text, action etc.; the way something is viewed by an observer or onlooker.
Installation
A building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry;
The assembly plant is an enormous facility
Construction
(geometry) A geometric figure of arcs and line segments that is drawable with a straightedge and compass.
Installation
A formal entry into an organization or position or office;
His initiation into the club
He was ordered to report for induction into the army
He gave a speech as part of his installation into the hall of fame
Construction
The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.
Construction
The form or manner of building or putting together the parts of anything; structure; arrangement.
An astrolabe of peculiar construction.
Construction
The arrangement and connection of words in a sentence; syntactical arrangement.
Some particles . . . in certain constructions have the sense of a whole sentence contained in them.
Construction
The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.
Any person . . . might, by the sort of construction that would be put on this act, become liable to the penalties of treason.
Strictly, the term [construction] signifies determining the meaning and proper effect of language by a consideration of the subject matter and attendant circumstances in connection with the words employed.
Interpretation properly precedes construction, but it does not go beyond the written text.
Construction
The act of constructing or building something;
During the construction we had to take a detour
His hobby was the building of boats
Construction
The commercial activity involved in constructing buildings;
Their main business is home construction
Workers in the building trades
Construction
A thing constructed; a complex construction or entity;
The structure consisted of a series of arches
She wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons
Construction
A group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit;
I concluded from his awkward constructions that he was a foreigner
Construction
The creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought
Construction
An interpretation of a text or action;
They put an unsympathetic construction on his conduct
Construction
Drawing a figure satisfying certain conditions as part of solving a problem or proving a theorem;
The assignment was to make a construction that could be used in proving the Pythagorean theorem
Construction
Construction is the act of building something, typically large structures.
The construction of the new bridge took two years.
Construction
Construction encompasses commercial and residential building projects.
She managed a construction company that specialized in skyscrapers.
Construction
Construction uses a mix of manual labor and machinery to create physical structures.
Heavy machinery roared to life at the construction site at dawn.
Common Curiosities
What does installation mean?
Installation is the setting up or fixing of equipment or systems within a structure.
What is construction?
Construction is the process of building structures from the ground up.
What is an example of an installation?
Installing a new HVAC system in a house is an example.
Are permits required for construction?
Yes, most construction projects require building permits.
Can installation occur without construction?
Yes, installations can happen in existing structures without new construction.
Who is responsible for installation?
Installations are typically done by specialized technicians or installers.
What is the first step in construction?
The first step is often site preparation or laying a foundation.
Is installation part of construction?
Yes, installation is a component of the broader construction process.
What are construction materials?
Construction materials include wood, concrete, steel, glass, and more.
Who performs construction?
Construction is performed by builders, laborers, and construction companies.
How long does construction take?
Construction timelines vary widely, from weeks to years, depending on the project.
Can installations be DIY projects?
Some installations can be DIY, but many require professional expertise.
Do you need a permit for installation?
Some installations, like major electrical work, may require permits.
What safety measures are important for installation?
Safety measures include following electrical codes and using proper protective equipment.
What is the role of an architect in construction?
Architects design structures and often oversee the construction process.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
