Before you work on the plan, you have to plan the work – and that’s why preconstruction is so essential.

Any good construction job creates a quality end product for the client. But good preconstruction can take things a step further and help deliver even more value to the client when it comes to ensuring that the project is on schedule, on budget and that any issues are minimized. There are bound to be obstacles and challenges that any project team will have to overcome on any project – no matter how big or small. A robust preconstruction period can significantly minimize issues and ensure a smoother operating project overall.

Read on to learn more about the importance of preconstruction:

Preconstruction Explained

So what exactly is preconstruction? As the name implies, it’s a period of planning before a shovel hits the ground. Preconstruction teams collaborate with the general contractor or project team to sketch detailed site drawings, create schedules, track budgets, and schedule manpower. Just think of preconstruction as the process that creates a strategic plan for the project, ensure key project personnel are on the same page, and establishes the foundation for a successful project.

Why it’s Important

As we said in the above section, one of the reasons why Preconstruction is so important is because it brings key stakeholders together and establishes the foundation for the project. These key stakeholders are likely to include an owner’s representative, the project team, the architect, financing partners, and more. As the project team is put together, various other aspects of the project will begin to come into focus during the preconstruction stage. This includes:

• Schedule: Though a rough timeline was likely proposed during the presentation when firms vied for the work, you can’t really nail down a concrete timeline until you get into the nuts and bolts of things. Hence, a more clear timeframe will take shape during preconstruction when risks can more accurately be assessed relative to when the client needs construction to conclude.
• Site evaluation: They say that real estate is all about location, and the same is true for any new construction project. And site location can have a big impact on logistics, schedule, and more. For instance, streets may need to be temporarily closed in order to bring materials or construction equipment onto certain sites, such as those in downtown areas. A thorough review and assessment of said challenges is often done during preconstruction. This also tends to be where project permits start to be acquired to avoid any delays during construction.
• Budgeting: You can’t forget about the all-important cost aspect. And with the price of materials and labor always fluctuating, what was originally estimated may not wind up being a reality. However, it’s during the preconstruction phase that the project team can work to manage costs by adjusting other building features to stay within the target price range.

After the preconstruction phase concludes, all parties will ideally agree to the plan that’s been put forward and the project team will move ahead with the groundbreaking on the project.

Contact Ace Consulting Today

Like we said at the beginning before you put a shovel in the ground, you have to put a plan in place for how you’re going to perform the work. That’s why preconstruction is so important – and it’s important not to cut corners during this phase. Depending on the size and scope of the project, preconstruction may last anywhere from several weeks to several months. For more information on preconstruction and why it’s so important to the successful outcome of a project, contact Ace Consulting today.