Pre-Construction: What It Is & Why It’s Important

Deciding to build a new commercial building is an exciting commitment.

You often want to jump straight to the ribbon cutting on opening day when you can finally let visitors into your store, venue, or healthcare facility. However, in order to have the most successful construction process possible, there are multiple steps that must be completed before construction even begins.

The pre-construction process is vital for laying the foundation for the project’s overall success. Only select construction companies offer thorough pre-construction planning services, and APX Construction Group is one of them.

So, what can you expect from the pre-construction phase? Let’s dig deeper.

What Is Pre-Construction?

Pre-construction is the all-encompassing planning stage of a construction project. The design team, general contractor, and client all work together to develop designs, schedules, budgets, and more. The process is highly collaborative and communicative.

The purpose of the pre-construction phase is to determine the best use of money and resources. It is always best to solve potential issues before construction begins, and adequate planning helps ensure a smooth process down the road.

Pre-construction is important because it helps prevent miscommunication, delays, and unexpected issues on the construction site. With thorough pre-construction planning, clients can experience benefits like:

• Unlikely to go over budget
• Increased efficiency
• Prevention of possible issues
• Early assessment of feasibility
• A clear, shared vision
• Improved client satisfaction

The 7 Essential Components of Pre-Construction

The benefits of pre-construction are fantastic, and it’s clear that the process helps set clients up for success. But what all goes into the pre-construction process? Typically, the pre-construction phase lasts anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks, and the following seven components are planned in detail:

1) Scope

The first thing that gets accomplished in pre-construction planning is the scope of the project. You will come up with specific answers to questions like:

• What are you trying to accomplish with your building?
• What are the size requirements and will they change in the future?
• When does the project need to be completed?

The general contractor and architect will be able to move forward when they have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish with your project.

2) Budget

Once you’ve established your goals and objectives, then you need to define a budget. Budgeting is one of the most essential components of pre-construction planning because it can be hard to guess the total price of a construction project without input from general contractors and design teams.

Contractors and designers will take your vision and work together to provide you with realistic cost expectations. They will include alternative options to help lower your budget if necessary or include more premium options if you have room to spend.

When you have a firm budget in place ahead of time, it is much easier to meet expectations without overspending down the line. Plus, when you know your exact numbers, you can apply for helpful construction financing.

3) Details

The finer details are what bring a building to life. Details of construction design include:

• Exact size
• Layout
• Style
• Electrical systems
• Building materials

When the design is finalized, a schedule can be made to execute each phase of construction.

4) Team

As the design gets finalized, the construction company’s role becomes more and more apparent. Each phase of construction work will require different skillsets and capacities. The general contractor will secure teams of contractors who are available and interested in your project.

The general contractor will bid the project out to other contractors who specialize in your project design. With enough advance notice, the construction team will thoroughly understand your project and produce a fantastic final product.

5) Materials

The quality of materials can make all the difference for a successful project. Many premium materials are in high demand and have a wait time between ordering and shipment. During this phase of pre-construction, the general contractor will identify all necessary materials and equipment needed for the project.

They will pay special attention to materials that require early ordering so that you can avoid delays. Obtaining materials will be worked into the overall project schedule to maximize efficiency.

6) Permits & Inspections

Required permits and inspections are a portion of the pre-construction planning process that cannot be skipped. If this portion is neglected or rushed without proper planning, you’re asking for issues and delays down the line.

Before construction can begin, all potential risks must be mitigated. This includes:

• Evaluating the construction site
• Obtaining necessary permits
• Following through with required inspections
• Securing lot approval

Your construction partner will have a thorough checklist of all required permits and inspections in your state. Construction cannot legally begin until all of these expectations are met.

7) Communication

Do you prefer to communicate via phone or email? What time of day are you available to check in on construction progress?

A successful pre-construction process lays the groundwork for effective communication down the line. The client, design team, and contractor will work together to solidify a communication plan that works best for everyone.

It is essential to establish healthy communication as a team because reliable communication can help mitigate obstacles that arise. You don’t want your project to get delayed because the designer is waiting for an email reply and you never check your email. When reliable communication is the expectation from the start, the project will move forward efficiently.

You Deserve the Best Pre-Construction Process

Design development and project planning are essential for a successful construction project. At APX Construction Group, we begin with the end in mind and finalize every important detail along the way.

Come to us with an idea, and our skilled team will collaborate with you to plan a construction project that exceeds your expectations. You deserve to maximize your investment in commercial properties, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals.

Reach out today to start discussing your ideas!