Preconstruction

Preconstruction services can provide owners with an approach for developing scope, cost, and schedule to execute capital projects. 

What is Preconstruction? 
Traditionally, Preconstruction involves performing preliminary planning and engineering in order to define the project, identify potential issues, and analyze cost impacts.  Wren Mattox Builders defines Preconstruction as defining the project scope, schedule, and cost as early as possible with the most efficient use of resources and money.  Our Preconstruction efforts ultimately help the owner determine if the project is even viable or not.  If viable, Preconstruction defines the scope of work with the assistance of an architect / engineer enough to determine an estimated cost and schedule for the project.

What does the process entail? 
 First, we meet with the client to determine where in the process they are of defining the project. Then we find out what their objectives are for Preconstruction and what questions/issues they need to resolve. 

Our team then assesses the level of effort required to get the client to the next step of their process (described in step 1) and the level of accuracy required by the client.  We'll define the deliverables needed to get the client to the determined point and the time frame required to do so. 

What are the outcomes of the Preconstruction effort? 
The main outcome is developing a firm project scope, schedule, and cost estimate for the owner. The cost estimate depends on the level of accuracy needed by the client. The Preconstruction process is useful to evaluate the constructability of the project and identify opportunities for value engineering. We can also provide the owner with the following deliverables:

·         Project scope
·         Execution plan
·         Constructability review
·         Integrated Project Schedule
·         Evaluations as specified by client
·         Basis of design
·         Options for alternative cost-saving ideas
·         General arrangements
·         Site plan and site evaluation

These deliverables are used in the next project phase or archived for use when the project economics are justified.

What type of impact will Preconstruction typically have on the overall final project in terms of schedule and costs compared to traditional methods? 
We have seen Preconstruction efforts have a significant impact on the overall project, and save the owner significant time and money. Since we determine the cost and schedule of the project upfront; we can reduce the number of changes, unexpected costs, and variations of schedule during the project; we can identify early where possible problems will occur; and we can better identify cost savings opportunities. In addition, we also assume the cost risk once the project is funded.