See It in Action
The general contractor plays a pivotal role during the preconstruction phase, setting the foundation for the project’s success. From cost estimation to stakeholder coordination, the general contractor ensures that every aspect of the project is well-planned before construction begins. Early involvement of the general contractor is essential for identifying risks, managing budgets, and aligning the project scope with the client’s expectations. By leveraging modern technology and collaborative tools, general contractors can streamline the preconstruction process and minimize the chances of costly overruns.
General contractors take on a variety of critical responsibilities during the preconstruction phase, from managing communication between stakeholders to ensuring accurate cost estimates. By overseeing collaboration among architects, engineers, and subcontractors, they help align the project’s goals and expectations early on, which is key to avoiding costly misalignments later.
The general contractor’s role in coordinating multiple teams—architects, engineers, and subcontractors—ensures that all project elements are aligned. Early involvement reduces the chances of delays caused by poor communication. As Brett Poulos, National Director of Preconstruction at Burns & McDonnell, explains:
“The general contractor’s role during preconstruction is fundamental to project success.”
Providing an accurate cost estimate is one of the most important tasks for a general contractor. Poor cost estimation can lead to budget overruns, which affect 35% of construction projects. The general contractor’s expertise in estimating project costs helps clients set realistic financial expectations and manage resources effectively.
Identifying potential risks during preconstruction is another critical function of the general contractor. By assessing possible delays or complications early, general contractors can mitigate these risks before they escalate. Early risk identification ensures smoother project execution, preventing disruptions during the construction phase.
Early involvement of the general contractor during preconstruction is critical for ensuring seamless collaboration and reducing the chances of costly delays. By being involved from the start, general contractors can provide valuable input that shapes the project’s scope, budget, and timeline.
Early contractor involvement helps foster better collaboration between all stakeholders, including clients, architects, and subcontractors. This collaboration can help avoid misalignments, reducing the chances of budget overruns and project delays. Studies show that early collaboration can improve project outcomes by up to 20%.
The use of technology has greatly enhanced how general contractors manage preconstruction. About 50% of general contractors have reported that adopting digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and data-driven project management platforms, has significantly improved their ability to communicate effectively with teams and make better decisions. These tools provide real-time insights into project costs, timelines, and potential risks.
A proactive approach to risk management is key to avoiding costly delays. By assessing risks during the preconstruction phase, general contractors can prepare strategies for mitigation. 80% of contractors believe that early identification of risks reduces the likelihood of unexpected delays during the construction phase. This allows for more accurate scheduling and better allocation of resources, ensuring the project stays on track.
Several real-world examples demonstrate how early and effective involvement of general contractors in preconstruction can significantly improve project outcomes. These case studies highlight the benefits of early collaboration, risk mitigation, and the use of technology.
Burns & McDonnell focused on early collaboration with stakeholders during preconstruction. This approach helped them improve cost estimates and mitigate potential supply chain challenges, reducing the risk of project delays. By aligning the project scope and expectations early, they ensured smoother execution.
Hensel Phelps leveraged data-driven decision-making to better align the project’s design with its budget. This approach helped reduce discrepancies between the project plan and actual execution, leading to fewer change orders and enhanced cost accuracy.
Mortenson Construction successfully integrated digital tools during preconstruction, improving communication and collaboration between teams. This resulted in more accurate cost estimates and a reduction in the number of change orders during construction, leading to more efficient project delivery.
To successfully manage the preconstruction phase, general contractors must implement key best practices that address project goals, communication, and technology usage. These practices help prevent scope creep, improve collaboration, and streamline decision-making, all of which contribute to smoother project execution.
At the very beginning of the preconstruction phase, it is essential that general contractors collaborate closely with clients and design teams to define clear and measurable goals. These goals should cover all aspects of the project, from deliverables and quality expectations to timelines and budgets.
Clear project goals act as a roadmap for the entire team and prevent issues like scope creep, where additional tasks or changes to the project are made without proper planning or budgeting.
A well-defined scope ensures that every party understands the project's limitations and what success looks like. For example, by thoroughly reviewing the project’s drawings, contractors can identify any potential discrepancies or areas for improvement early on, ensuring that the design aligns with the client’s budget and project timeline.
Ongoing communication is key to a successful preconstruction process. General contractors should conduct regular meetings with all project stakeholders, including the client, architects, engineers, and subcontractors. These meetings are crucial for ensuring that everyone is aligned on project developments, milestones, and any changes in scope or timeline.
Regular updates help maintain transparency and provide an opportunity to address potential issues before they escalate. For example, if material prices fluctuate or labor availability becomes an issue, these meetings give general contractors a platform to propose solutions or make necessary adjustments to the project plan. Additionally, these sessions foster stronger working relationships between stakeholders, which can lead to smoother collaboration and fewer conflicts during construction.
Technology has revolutionized the way general contractors handle preconstruction tasks. Tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and advanced project management software allow contractors to manage large amounts of data efficiently and forecast potential challenges more accurately. By using digital tools, contractors can ensure that cost estimates, schedules, and resource allocations are based on real-time information.
BIM, for example, allows for detailed 3D models of the project that integrate data from all teams involved. This enables contractors to visualize the entire construction process before breaking ground, helping to identify potential design or construction issues early. Furthermore, project management software enables contractors to keep track of costs, timelines, and resource usage in real time, ensuring that any deviations from the plan are addressed immediately.
Utilizing these technologies allows general contractors to provide more accurate forecasts and make informed decisions throughout the preconstruction phase. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of budget overruns and delays, ensuring that the project remains on track from the very start.
The role of the general contractor in preconstruction is essential to the success of any construction project. By implementing best practices such as setting clear project goals, facilitating regular communication, and leveraging advanced technology, general contractors can help ensure that projects stay on budget and on schedule.
ProjectMark offers a comprehensive platform that empowers general contractors to manage these aspects efficiently, providing tools for better planning and decision-making.
Get started today by visiting ProjectMark's Demo to streamline your preconstruction processes.
