Pre-construction is the work we do before anyone breaks ground: pricing the drawings, checking how the building will actually go together and building a schedule that holds up once the trades arrive.
Why it pays for itself
Most budget overruns are baked in long before construction starts. A detail that looks fine on a drawing can take three trades and two extra weeks to build. A finish chosen without checking lead times can hold up a whole floor. Pre-construction is where we catch those things, while changing them costs a revision instead of a rebuild.
We price the design as it develops, so you can make decisions with real numbers instead of hopes. If something is pushing the budget, we'll show you where and suggest options that keep the intent of the design.
Constructability, in plain terms
A constructability review is us reading the drawings the way a site crew will. Can this be built in this order? Is there room for the equipment? Does the structural detail clash with the ductwork? On a dental clinic, for example, we check that the plumbing and power for each chair are planned before the slab is poured, because moving them afterwards is slow and expensive.
Planning the site before we're on it
Every site has its own constraints. A clinic on a busy stretch of Lakeshore Road needs a different plan for deliveries and parking than a custom home on a quiet crescent. We plan staging, access, hoarding and phasing early, so the neighbours, the city and your schedule are all accounted for.
When should pre-construction start?
As soon as you have a concept or an early design. The earlier we're involved, the more influence we have on cost. Even a nearly complete set of drawings benefits from a pricing and constructability check before it goes to tender, though.
How accurate are early estimates?
They get sharper as the design develops. Early numbers are based on area and building type. By the time the drawings are close to final we're pricing against real trade quotes. We'll always tell you what an estimate includes and what it doesn't.
What's a long-lead item?
Anything that takes weeks or months to arrive once it's ordered, like electrical switchgear, rooftop units, custom windows or imported finishes. We identify them during pre-construction so they can be ordered in time.
Related
- Construction ManagementOne accountable team on site, from mobilization to handover.
- Trade ProcurementClear trade packages, competitive bids and nothing missing from the scope.
- Planning and SchedulingRealistic schedules built with the people doing the work.
- Cost ControlBudgets, change reviews and forecasts with no surprises at the end.
Share where you are in the process. We'll bring the right people to the conversation and help you understand the next move.