Pre-Construction Solutions

B.R.I.C.S. Pre-Construction Team

The BRICS pre-construction team has consulted on many projects in the commercial, industrial, & multifamily markets, this knowledge base and experience comes into play before one design is ever created. Never compromising on quality or integrity the BRICS team will show you how minor design changes could result in major savings and maximizing cash flow for your project. During the pre-construction phase the BRICS team will provide site investigations and a preliminary permitting/project approval analysis along with preliminary design concepts and site plans while creating a project budget to help determine the financial and environmental viability of the project. The BRICS pre-construction consulting team ensures a smooth project start and timeline as well as a timely finish. 

What Are Pre-Construction Services

A more modern construction practice and part of the broader construction project management, pre-construction is the first phase of the overall planning, coordination, and control of a construction job. The BRICS Pre-Construction team aims to nail down the planning of the project and give the client a clear picture of what their job is going to look like, how it is going to get done, and when every aspect of the job will be completed. And remember, this all happens, before a single piece of construction is conducted. So what exactly are these BRICS pre-construction services that help make a project run so smoothly? Let’s take a look. 

Initial Meeting & Regular Follow-ups

The BRICS team will first have an initial meeting with the client to go over the client’s objectives. In this initial meeting, BRICS will learn the client’s goals for the project as well as their budget. The BRICS team and client will meet several more times during the pre- construction process to stay up-to-date on progress and allow for any changes to be made. Much of what will be discussed at these regular meetings will be the result of what the team puts together through the other pre-construction services. 

An Overall Evaluation of the Project

The pre-construction process starts with an overall project evaluation. This will emerge from the initial meeting between the client and BRICS and is the big picture of the project. This initial evaluation lays the foundation for the rest of the pre-construction services as well as construction. It is here that needs and expectations for the project will be clearly defined by all those set to participate in the job. The client and BRICS will come up with a final conceptualization of the building as well as the material and size. Basic floor plans will be created which will emphasize production process flows. The design consultants and inspectors to be used with other pre-construction services will also be chosen. Another pre-construction service, which is sometimes carried out during the initial evaluation, is to create a schematic design for the project. This will give the client their first visual on what the project may look like when completed, but since it is just an initial schematic, they are able to provide feedback along the way to reaching the final design. 

Initial Budget Estimates

There are several components BRICS looks at in estimating the budget for a construction project. These may include the cost of materials, subcontractors, suppliers, equipment, and more. It is likely that multiple estimates will be provided as BRICS works through various options with the client. BRICS will also need to identify the cost of potential issues, as well as evaluate any opportunities for potential savings. Finding cost saving alternatives is a major benefit of BRICS pre-construction services. 

Value Engineering

In this pre-construction service, BRICS will attempt to determine if the scope of the work will fit within the client’s budget. The BRICS team will look for more areas where there are opportunities for cost savings based on experiences they have had with projects of a similar scope. They will project the life-cycle cost analysis of certain materials involved in the job and provide alternative solutions. 

Site Analysis

Here BRICS will visit the construction site and will look into the site’s feasibility. This means they will be checking to see if the site is a good fit for the requirements of the project. They will attempt to predict any future issues and costs that may be encountered. BRICS does this by creating an overall site master plan, which will include things like parking, traffic circulation, and even landscaping. The team will also review the soil to ensure that the site has a suitable foundation. BRICS will even look into the existing infrastructure, capacity, and the proposed routing and location. All of this goes into whether or not the site will be suitable, or feasible, for the intended project. 

Getting the Proper Approval

There are certain permissions required for most any construction project. What many do not realize is that they should actually acquire these permits and approval during the pre- construction phase, not during actual construction. This will include getting the proper building permits and site plan approval. There may be additional permits required with utility providers, and additional permits may be necessary for certain jobs. BRICS will coordinate which permits are required and get them all coordinated before any construction begins. 

Thorough Review of Design Documents

That schematic that was created earlier? It is just a rough draft. The BRICS team will pore over this set of documents to make sure that it reflects what the client is asking for. Every detail and possible oversight must be considered so there aren’t high-priced contingencies during the bidding phase. Materials must be evaluated, the systems and product delivery in place can be reconsidered, areas of concern will be targeted, and more. The project won’t move forward until there is a consensus among the entire team that they have considered absolutely everything and gathered the opinions of everyone involved. 

Set a Preliminary Schedule

A vital part of pre-construction information is creating an initial schedule. This preliminary schedule will identify key milestones and schedule everything in the entire project, from start to finish. This will help organize the project and set a clear outline for how it will make it to its conclusion. All design and construction activities will be clearly defined with start times and approval milestones. The project plan will be formed, and the subcontractor and client input will be given to finding a final schedule that works from everyone. This will be the baseline schedule from which the entire project will be run. 

Establishing a Final Budget

Prior to finalizing the design of the project, the BRICS team will take one more look at the scope and cost to see if there are any other ways they can cut costs. This might be through the cost models and conceptual estimating, soliciting subcontractor input to see if there have been any changes to market conditions, manage cash flow, and work through every other element of the pre-construction checklist to create a final budget. 

Summary

Pre-construction services give BRICS and its clients the opportunity to evaluate the entire project and create a plan that will take it all the way through its conclusion: the post- construction phase. This is a major cost-saving opportunity that will allow a construction project to flow more smoothly. Much of the job will heavily rely on the decisions made during the initial pre-construction stage.

• Initial Meeting & Regular Follow Ups 
• Overall Evaluation Of The Project 
• Initial Schematic Design 
• Subcontractor Selection 
• Initial Budget Estimates 
• Selecting Materials & Equipment 
• Value Engineering 
• Site Analysis 
• Getting Proper Approvals 
• Review Of Design Documents 
• Set Preliminary Schedule 
• Life Cycle Cost Analysis 
• Establish A Final Budget 
• Procurement Management 
• Bidding The Project 
• Safety Considerations