Pre-construction services set the framework for the rest of the building process. Throughout this blog, you’ll learn what pre-construction is, the benefits of pre-construction management services, and the phases of commercial building construction.
What Is Pre-Construction?
Pre-construction is the initial planning stage of a construction project. During the pre-construction process, the client works directly with a team of designers and construction partners (including general contractors, construction managers, and design-build contractors) to create a detailed construction project plan.
During this stage, the client and contractors develop working drawings, establish attainable timelines, set a budget, and identify potential obstacles before construction starts. The pre-construction phase is critical because it ensures that everything goes to plan. However, if there are any hiccups, there’s a strategy in place to overcome these issues.
Calahan Construction is a trusted full-service general contractor in the Front Range. From design development to pre-construction to the construction work itself, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Benefits of Pre-Construction Management Services
Help You Stay Within Budget
Collaborating with a pre-construction management service provider is vital for developing a feasible and predictable budget. Pre-construction professionals aid clients because they can provide them with a detailed item-by-item cost analysis to ensure they stay within budget.
The pre-construction management service provider provides a trusted idea of how much each item costs by using a combination of take-offs, internal pricing, experience, and supplier input.
Provide Cost Saving Opportunities
Construction personnel are experts in pre-construction services because they know how to find high-quality products for the best price. This allows you to save money while ensuring that you get a structurally sound building. Pre-construction professionals have insight that enables them to compare:
- Products
- Building methods
- Differing systems
- Availability of goods
- Construction approaches
Identifying these comparisons early on in the construction process enables contractors to save their clients time, money, and resources throughout the project.
Develop Sustainable Phasing and Logistics Plans
Pre-construction experts are problem solvers who value insight from the project team, local authorities, and any stakeholders to develop a possible phasing and logistics plan. Pre-construction professionals design, implement, provide, and update phasing and logistics plans needed.
Find the Best Subcontractors in the Area
No one knows local subcontractors better than pre-construction service providers. Pre-construction professionals ensure that you only have the most qualified and reliable subcontractors to work on your project.
Review Subcontractor Bids
Pre-construction service providers help ensure that subcontractor bids are comprehensive and fair. They want to make sure subcontractors get a fair wage while also sticking between your predetermined budget.
What Are the Commercial Building Construction Phases?
Phase 1: Development and Planning
Development and planning is the initial phase of constructing a new commercial building. This includes finding a location for the building and setting a realistic budget for the project.
Phase 2: Pre-Design
Phase 2 sets the vision and goal of the project. During the pre-design phase, the client establishes accurate costs of the overall project. This is when the client collaborates with the general contractor and an architect, or a company specializing in build-design, to streamline the construction process.
When the client meets with architects and builders during the pre-design phase, they determine:
- Cost of the new construction
- Size and functionality of each room
- Building’s access to utility connections
- If the project includes the client’s desired amenities
- A project timeline
Phase 3: Design
During the design phase, working drawings are built to scale along with projected costs and a timeline for each construction stage. In addition to architects and builders, the following professionals are involved in the design development:
- Structural engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Electrical engineers
- Field engineers
- Threshold inspectors (if a building is over three stories)
Phase 4: Pre-Construction
Before starting construction, contractors must complete the following steps:
- Obtain the building permit
- Get insurance
- Gather bids from vendors
- Find a construction team
- Procurement
Phase 5: Construction
Now that all the preparation is put in place, construction can begin. Here are the steps to completing a construction project:
- Prepping the site
- Laying foundation
- Framing the building’s structure
- Installing roofing, siding, and HVAC
- Setting up the interior space
- Detailing the exterior of the building
- Landscaping the new site
Phase 6: Post-Construction
After construction is complete, the contractor and client walk through the new structure to identify areas for improvement and quality control. This could include areas where the client is not happy with the final product or might need additional attention before the building is officially complete.
Reduce Pre-Construction Service Fees With Calahan Construction
When you partner with Calahan Construction, you have a construction and business partner from development and planning to post-construction. We can help you design and build the facility you’ve always wanted.
Ready to get started? Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation and estimate!
