What Is Preconstruction? Phases, Activities, and Checklist

If you’ve been around the construction industry you’re likely familiar with the term “pre-construction”. Successful contractors know that proper planning sets the stage for a successful project. As the name indicates, any activities that need to take place before construction begins, fall into the category of preconstruction.

This article will dissect the preconstruction stage and dig deeper into each part of the process. So you can have all the necessary information at your fingertips when filling out the pre-construction checklist.

Preconstruction Checklist: Key Activities Carried Out During the Preconstruction Planning

A variety of activities need to happen before the formal start of the construction project. Not only will a preconstruction meeting (sometimes several) take place, but ongoing communication is critical to keep all involved parties in the loop.

Common activities on a construction checklist for the preconstruction phase include:

Learning more about the client’s needs and requests
Assessing the feasibility of the project
Site evaluation
Analyzing soil conditions
Outlining the scope of work for the project
Plan reviews
Determining preconstruction cost estimation
Finalizing financing details
Signing contracts and work agreements
Establishing a project timetable and setting up the target schedule
Safety reviews
Identifying a plan for communication
Organizing services and utilities
Identifying any potential issues that might come up
Addressing any legal concerns
Acquiring necessary permits to perform the work

Even though the general contractor oversees the construction project phases, this process is a collaborative effort to ensure the entire team’s success.

3 Distinct Construction Project Phases

Most construction projects can be broken down into three building construction phases, and there is a clear difference between preconstruction and the actual construction phases.

Preconstruction Phase: Anything that needs to happen before construction begins must be included in the preconstruction phase. This planning and preconstruction phase establishes a strong foundation to help the main construction services move forward as needed.
Construction Phase: Now it’s time for the physical construction to begin. This is the phase when heavy machinery moves on site, excavation is underway, and the building is going up. The construction phase is the most visible phase of the project.
Post-Construction Phase: When construction is complete, the last phase is to finalize the site. This phase usually involves cleaning up, demobilizing, removing equipment from the site, and any other activities on the construction punch list that must be addressed before the project is handed over to the owner. Part of post-construction is often delivering documentation related to the project and training the owner on operating systems and equipment as needed.

Benefits of Preconstruction Services: Save Time and Money

Successful preconstruction planning has an undeniable impact on saving both time and money on a project. For example, when the preconstruction team predicts the size of the structure and estimates the materials that will be needed, then it’s easier to streamline the purchasing and lock in the best pricing.

Additionally, pre-construction planning can effectively reduce labor costs by avoiding last-minute changes and minimizing the risk of delays. Strategies can also be implemented to optimize material usage, which helps reduce waste and manage overall materials expenses.

It’s easy to see that preconstruction can be one of the most important steps in the project to ensure that your team stays on schedule and that you are sticking with the outlined budget. Decisions made during preconstruction will have a long-lasting impact on the entire project.

Other benefits of preconstruction services include:

Effective communication between all parties involved
Accurately recording construction cost estimates to maintain the budget
Ensuring optimal productivity through every stage of construction
Improving quality oversight and control
Reducing waste and decreasing the risk of rework expenses
Identifying risks as early as possible to support safety on-site
Avoiding environmental damage during the construction work
Minimizing the impact on neighboring properties

Undoubtedly, preconstruction is a critical phase to support the overall project. When a solid foundation is in place, the planning and construction can move forward successfully.

Construction Scheduling Software in Preconstruction

Modern technology makes a big difference in overall communication, planning, and more. Not only can a construction scheduling software keep all contractors and participants on the same page, but these tools can also be helpful for task management, cost estimates, and more.

At Buildbite, we offer one app for efficient construction project management. Our goal is to help your team streamline operations, manage tasks, and collaborate in real time. Download the app to try it out, or schedule a demo if you’d like to learn more.