Your Pre-Construction Planning Checklist

The pre-construction phase in construction is a crucial time for the client, developer, and builders. It is when the planning and design of a new building or structure take place. 

During pre-construction planning, decisions that will have long-lasting effects on the project are made. This phase includes many pre-construction activities that might not be visible to the public, such as analyzing soil conditions, obtaining permits and approvals, organizing utilities and services, and acquiring real estate, materials, and contractors.

The importance of pre-construction planning

The pre-construction planning process is a process that helps in saving time, money, and resources.

The goal throughout each of the pre-construction process steps is to deliver:

• Better coordination between all parties

• More accurate estimates

• Increased productivity during the construction phase

• Improved quality control

• Reduction in waste and rework costs

Achievable benefits in the pre-construction phase include:

• Saving time by predicting the size of the structure and its materials

• Reducing labor costs by avoiding delays and last-minute changes to projects

• Reducing material costs by minimizing waste and optimizing material usage

• Improving safety by identifying potential risks before they happen

• Minimizing environmental damage caused due to construction work

• Reducing the impact on neighboring properties while construction work is taking place

Pre-construction planning stages

As the saying goes, ‘prior planning prevents poor performance’.

Pre-construction is the phase during which the client, project manager, design team, and constructors deliver the planning needed to prevent poor performance. The effectiveness of the stages of pre-construction planning determines the deliverables of this phase.

1. The scope

The first stage is to determine the project scope ─ the objectives of the project, the quality of finish required, and the schedule required for completion.

2. The budget

With the project objectives defined, the budget can be calculated. This requires all members of the project and construction teams to provide estimates of costs and alternatives. At the end of this stage, the team should have a firm budget (and contingency) for the project to proceed.

3. Design and execution planning

Now the budget and scope have been finalized, the team can move to detailed planning. When the detailed plan of all project details has been written, we can plan for each phase of construction and provide a detailed schedule.

4. Identifying sub-contractors

We can now move to identifying the skills, experience, and capabilities required to successfully complete the construction phase of the project. We must approach these, confirm that they are interested, and reserve time in their schedule according to the project schedule.

5. Materials and procurement scheduling

Effective construction will not be hampered by delays in supplies of materials and resources. Once the construction schedule has been defined, all necessary materials and equipment will need to be identified and ordered with reference to a procurement schedule. This will help to ensure an efficient construction process and reduce the costs (and risks) of storing materials on site.

6. Permits and inspections

We’ll need to assess and determine what permits are needed and conduct tests to mitigate project risks. Inspections may include ground surveys, geotechnical investigations, soil testing, utility location, and underground mapping. All of this work should be conducted before the project breaks ground.

7. Communication planning

A communication plan should be prepared, with attention given to the communication methods and tools that will be used by the team. Communication is vital to avoid errors, mitigate issues and risks, and keep the project on track.

Picking the Right Company for Your Pre-Construction Needs

There are many companies that offer pre-construction services, but not all of them are the best choice for your needs. Some companies provide a wide range of services, while others specialize in certain aspects of construction.

The right company for your pre-construction needs will depend on what you need and what you want to get out of the project. A good place to start is narrowing down your requirements or needs before looking at any potential companies.

There are many factors that need to be taken into account before deciding on a company for your pre-construction needs. You need to think about how much work they have done in the past, how long they have been in business, and their reputation among other things.

At ACB Consulting, we are committed to helping improve the communities in which we live, work, and play – including how they are conceived, designed and created. To leverage our experience in successful construction project management, contact ACB Consulting.

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