How Pre-Construction Planning Can Enable Smooth Execution And Strong Returns For Your Project
MAY 23, 2019 BY
Before the next construction project starts, how well can you answer these questions?
- Has the financial plan for the project been corroborated by a professional?
- Do I have an appropriate contingency plan in place?
- Is there enough time for steps of the project from design to construction?
- Is the team that I am working with proficient enough to complete the project on schedule?
According to construction experts, the hard work begins with pre-construction. And those who execute pre-construction methodically reap various benefits throughout the project lifecycle and beyond.
Why is pre-construction important?
Pre-construction planning sets the expectations or groundwork for successful projects. The time period preceding construction activities is the time to lay out the entire scope and schedule of the project for the construction team, as well as with the client. This phase is crucial to the long-term success of your project.
The pre-construction phase requires the collaboration of all parties involved - owners, architects, engineers, and contractors. Planning, analyzing, and establishing the scope, cost estimation and other projected necessities, in addition to identifying potential issues for your construction project should be ironed out at this stage. This process will give all the stakeholders an opportunity to present their own challenges relating to site conditions, budgets, schedules, and environmental and other regulatory constraints.
Well-planned pre-construction planning can take as much time as the actual construction. The ultimate aim of this exercise is to ensure every decision that will be made ahead enables fruitful returns on your investment.
Important things to note during pre-construction planning
- During the pre-construction phase, you can understand and address aspects such as permissions, compliance issues, and other factors that may hinder construction later. Recognizing hiccups early on can help you find ways to solve project challenges before they arise, helping you avoid potential delays.
- During the pre-construction phase, you should pay close attention to the contractor selection process. It might help to know that popular contractors may not be competitive or provide the time and attention your project deserves. And the contractor that costs the lowest may come with quality issues. Identifying the right contractors for the project early on can lead to better quality, schedules and budget.
Four advantages of pre-construction planning
- An opportunity to clarify the project scope. Meticulous and attentive planning will pave the way to a successful project. A collaborative process with key decision makers and the team to discuss the vision, logistics, and final project outcomes will help identify the architectural, material and economic requirements of the project. When the preliminary idea of the final project is transformed into documentation, the viability of the entire plan begins to take shape, allowing the client to understand timelines, options for equipment, involved risks, site plans, and design specifications.
- Enable realistic monetary estimates. Budget estimates are often generated and then adjusted throughout the pre-construction and construction phases of a project. Having the realistic cost estimates updated as the design is refined allows a client to stay in the know on project development and budgetary changes. An anticipated project budget will help determine whether or not a project can be completed according to the predicted plans, designs, timeline and materials.
- Increase accountability. To enable and categorize timely deliverables amongst all the important teams involved, accountability comes into play. At a glance, this will specifically summarize who is responsible for what phase of the project and the deadlines. This ensures clear communication and helps the construction project flow smoothly - on time and on budget.
- Proactively keep tabs on timelines. Tentative scheduling helps the entire construction team prepare for the impending construction phase, keep tabs on the project’s progress, and ensure that everyone is aware of approaching deadlines to every milestone in a project. Precise scheduling is crucial to cost-controlling. It lets you better plan the procurement of building materials that may require time, coordination, permits, documentation and reporting.
With a resourceful and practical partner that you can trust, the pre-construction phase can set the trajectory for the success of your construction project.
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If you are looking for good deals on portable office and storage containers or have additional questions, we are here to help. Contact us - your construction storage partner. Request a quote for your construction project today!