Top 7 Essential Pre-Construction Factors You Need to Consider

The construction industry is characterized as one of the most unprecedented sectors where even a small mistake can lead to adverse effects and delays. Thus, approaching a construction project without any preparation is not an option. The first step in the construction industry during projects is the pre-construction stage.

Pre-construction is a preliminary planning phase conducted by construction companies before construction on a project begins. This planning phase involves defining the scope of the project and identifying potential weak areas and problems in the project. The pre-construction stage varies depending upon individual projects.

Pre-Construction Checklist for Projects

Here is a brief pre-construction checklist for contractors and construction business owners to deliver successful projects.

1. Site Condition Analysis

Proper site selection and condition is the foundation of successful construction projects, be it commercial or residential construction. This is the most important and foremost factor in the pre-construction planning phase. If you get this wrong, it could lead to delays, safety issues, cost overruns, and ultimately construction claims.

When conducting a site investigation and analysis, do consider the following things:

• Property size where the project will be built.
• Make sure environmental conditions at the site are suitable for the construction of the project, e.g., bedrock, wetlands, streams, etc.
• Availability of public utilities like water, sewage system, electricity, and natural gas.
• Site accessibility through roadways.
• Zoning requirements and regulations of the site.

Make sure you cover all these areas before breaking the ground because one mistake can lead to disputes and claims. If you face any delay, do contact construction claims consultants to ensure that your project goes smoothly without any disruptions, and claims can be resolved through communication.

2. Building Information and Specifications

After site analysis, the next phase of the pre-construction is to develop an initial design and building specifications. Planning at this stage will show how the project will look like after construction. This is one of the most exciting phases of a project, and without professional help, there could be many flaws and problems that could go undetected.

What might look promising on the paper of the computer screen might not be attainable in the actual construction work. Therefore, before starting construction, identify all possible issues with building scope and specifications to reduce the risk of delays, change orders, and cost overruns down the road.

3. Cost Estimations and Control

After building specifications and scope of the project, the contractor can then put together a budget and estimate costs. However, estimating the right cost of a project is not easy as there are a lot of unforeseen factors that can result in cost overruns. All aspects of the project, from materials and equipment to labor, suppliers, and permits are assessed for a reliable cost estimate.

Construction quantum experts recommend that contractors must keep 5-10% of the budget for unforeseen events that may lead to changes in the cost estimates. This will provide enough room for potential change orders and other factors like material availability, weather conditions, etc.

4. Scheduling and Logistics

In the construction industry, all tasks are interrelated, and delay in one of them can affect the overall timeline of the project. Therefore, another major factor that needs consideration is scheduling and logistics. Before construction starts, the contractor needs to coordinate and develop a schedule related to logistics and phasing.

There has to be coordination in each and every aspect of the project to accomplish success. Some important things to consider at this stage are cost estimations, meetings with the clients, permits, regulations, storage of material, inspection, and much more.

5. Material Procurement

Residential or small scale construction may require less material that is easily available in the local markets. Commercial or large scale construction projects often require a specialized material supply chain. In the construction sector, especially commercial construction, procurement doesn’t only include getting materials for the project. It is a whole process of market evaluation and getting the most cost-effective materials available.

Before starting work on the project, make sure you have set up a supply chain for material procurement and that there is no delay. Even a one-day delay in material procurement can affect the overall performance of the project, so make sure to plan ahead during the pre-construction phase.

6. Risk Management

The construction industry is highly unprecedented, and there are a lot of risks associated with the work. For the successful delivery of the project, the contractor needs to plan ahead of time for mitigating the risk throughout the building process. Some of the most common types of risks in construction include worker's safety, natural disasters, site conditions, poorly written contracts, change orders, etc.

Therefore, before starting construction work on the project, sit with a team of experts, and identify possible risks associated with your project that may lead to disputes and claims later on. Make sure you have proper insurance and a plan for mitigating and managing these risks.

7. Cash Flow and Budget Analysis

A residential construction project may have a small lifespan, but commercial projects, on the other hand, can take from months to years, depending upon the type of project. During such a lengthy project, you can face financial issues like poor cash flow and solvency. Therefore, before starting work on such a big project, make sure to analyze your cash flow during the pre-construction phase.

Proper cash flow and budget analysis will ensure that all parties understand the financial needs of the project, and an appropriate level of funds are always available. You need to understand that the costs of various factors like materials, labor, supplier, etc., will change during the project. So, knowing when and how the big the change in cost will be is vital for having a healthy cash flow during the project.

Protect Your Projects from Construction Claims!

The success of a construction project relies on more than construction work. When starting a construction project, make sure to consider these factors before beginning work on the project. Keep in mind that the pre-construction phase and planning may take up to 15 weeks, depending upon the scope of the project.

At first, it may seem like a waste of time, but proper consideration and pre-construction planning can add value to your project and help in the successful completion and delivery of the project. It can also help in avoiding construction claims.