Process of Consultation

Traditionally, preconstruction involves performing preliminary planning and engineering in order to define the project, identify potential issues, and analyze cost impacts. Square10Source defines preconstruction as defining the project scope, schedule, and cost as early as possible with the most efficient use of resources and money.

The pre construction phase of any major project is the starting point that will set you up for success throughout the remainder of the project. It’s a time when you can review architectural designs and blueprints, evaluate the entire project from start to finish, and discuss any questions you might have with the construction company. This is the time to bring up any issues with design, placement, or planning that you think might come up during the construction process.
Perhaps the biggest complaint that companies have when designing and building new commercial structures is being “behind schedule.” A pre construction meeting where you talk about the tasks, milestones, completion dates, and any other activity that might put a project behind schedule can help prevent this issue. During the meeting you should also clearly outline which responsibilities belong to the contractor, which belong to the client, and the responsibilities of any third parties that will be involved in the process. It’s advisable to set some project milestones and check in dates when you can review your progress and address any scheduling issues so there are no surprises.
Another common problem during commercial construction is going over budget, but with the right pre construction planning you can avoid many of these problems. Take time to outline your budget and have the contractor prepare preliminary cost estimates of the work. You should review these estimates and make adjustments at periodic intervals throughout the project so you can be aware if things change—for example, if the price of your materials goes up, which would affect your final cost. A qualified contractor will also be able to let you know during the pre construction phase if what you are hoping to achieve is realistic given your budget, or if there might need to be adjustments.

Benefits

There are a number of benefits for the Owner. Many of our clients use our preconstruction process as the basis for their capital project appropriation process. Most importantly, the Owner has a defined basis to make an informed decision. The preconstruction process removes many of the unknowns of a project and reduces risks for the Owner. We can also identify areas for potential cost savings. The clients we work with like to evaluate the different scenarios upfront and have a defined path to construct the project.

Definition

Pre-construction services are used in planning a construction project before the actual construction begins. These services are often referred to as preconstruction or precon.