What Is Pre-construction?

The pre-construction phase is the most important aspect of building any structure because it sets the plans for the project. The client gets together with a design engineer and general contractor to outline the details of the project. This partnership helps to make sure the client will get the intended outcome and that the project won't unreasonably exceed their budget.

Project Scope and Budget One of the first things you'll do during the pre-construction phase is to outline your project. You will provide details concerning the size of the structure you want to build, the number of rooms it will encompass, and the infrastructure included within it. You will also have to discuss your budget with the designer and contractor to ensure the plans for the project don't exceed the available funding. If the construction costs get too high, your design engineer or contractor may suggest less expensive alternatives.

Assemble the Project Team Your general contractor will have to accept bids from subcontractors who can help with the construction project. Electricians, plumbers, and other skilled tradesmen will make bids to compete for the opportunity to join the project. This means you'll have to share detailed plans for your project. Bids will be based on those project details, so it's important to be as thorough as possible. Once the bids have been received, you and your contractor will choose which subcontractors to hire.

Order Construction Materials Your contractor will also identify all of the building materials needed to complete your project.

Gathering this information sooner will help ensure orders for the materials can be processed and shipped within a reasonable time frame. This is also a good time to start applying for building permits and other inspections. It may take your local government time to process these requests, so try to submit applications early. With any luck, your materials will arrive just as your building permit has been approved.

Putting more care into the pre-construction phase will make sure the final results match what you envision for your project. This relies on strong and frequent communication during the planning phase and throughout the construction process. A good relationship with your designer and construction contractor will pay off in the end.