Many developers assume that the sooner a project breaks ground, the sooner it will be finished. In reality, rushing through preconstruction services is one of the costliest decisions a developer can make. Preconstruction isn’t just a box to check before construction starts. It’s the phase where your general contractor can add the most value to your project.
Why Rushing the Preconstruction Phase Costs More
It’s understandable to want a project underway quickly, especially when financing deadlines, tax credits or other commitments put pressure on the schedule. But starting construction with unresolved design issues leads to delays and change orders. Any time saved by rushing the preconstruction phase is quickly lost once crews are on site.
Preconstruction Is When Changes Cost the Least
During preconstruction, you still have the flexibility to evaluate engineered systems, materials, layouts and construction methods. Once construction begins, changing those decisions becomes far more expensive. The biggest cost savings rarely come from negotiating a lower construction price. They come from making informed decisions early.
Value Engineering Should Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Value engineering shouldn’t be a last-minute exercise in cutting costs when a project comes in over budget. When your contractor is involved throughout design development, you can evaluate alternatives together and find savings without sacrificing quality or functionality. Treat your general contractor as a strategic partner during design, not just the company that builds what someone else designed.
Real Savings from Early Preconstruction
The value of preconstruction is more than theoretical. On recent projects, our preconstruction team found significant cost savings by evaluating design and material alternatives early:
- $317,200 by recommending an alternative HVAC system
- $81,200 by evaluating alternative window systems
- $44,666 by adjusting site grades
- $31,422 by changing windowsill materials
Across these and other recent projects, our team identified more than $540,000 in potential construction cost savings. Every project is different, but these results show the financial benefit of bringing an experienced general contractor into the design process early.
Early Contractor Involvement Builds Confidence in Your Budget
You, your investors and your lender all need confidence in the construction budget and schedule. A reliable budget and a realistic schedule are the direct result of early contractor involvement, thorough planning and a disciplined preconstruction process.
Preconstruction Services at The Douglas Company
At The Douglas Company, we believe preconstruction is the most valuable phase of the construction process. The goal should never be simply to break ground as fast as possible. It should be to position your project for the most successful completion possible. As your general contractor, we create value by building efficiently and by helping you make the right decisions before construction begins.
Planning a project? Contact The Douglas Company to see how our preconstruction services can protect your budget and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are preconstruction services? Preconstruction services are the planning work a general contractor performs before construction begins, including budgeting, scheduling, constructability review and value engineering.
- When should a general contractor get involved in a project? As early as possible, ideally during schematic design. Early contractor involvement gives the most room to evaluate systems, materials and methods before changes become costly.
- How does value engineering save money? Value engineering compares design alternatives to find the best value for cost without reducing quality or function. It saves the most when done during design, not after bids come in over budget.
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