What Happens Before Construction Starts? A Guide to the Pre-Construction Phase

Breaking ground on a new commercial construction project is exciting, but a successful build doesn’t start with heavy equipment—it starts with careful pre-construction planning.

The pre-construction phase is where key decisions are made, risks are minimized, and budgets are solidified to prevent costly surprises later. At Construction, Design, and Management (CDM), we emphasize detailed pre-construction planning to keep projects on time, on budget, and free of major setbacks.

Here’s what happens before construction begins and why a strong pre-construction process sets the foundation for a smooth, successful project.

1. Establishing Project Goals & Scope

Before designing or building anything, we work with clients to clearly define:
✅ Project Purpose & Objectives – Is this a new office, retail space, industrial warehouse, or mixed-use development?
✅ Space Requirements – How much square footage is needed? What features are required?
✅ Timeline Expectations – When does the building need to be operational?
✅ Budget Constraints – What is the available funding? Where can costs be optimized?

📌 Why This Matters: Clearly defining goals from the start prevents scope creep, budget surprises, and last-minute design changes.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We conduct strategy meetings to align all stakeholders, ensuring expectations are realistic and achievable.

2. Site Selection & Feasibility Analysis

Choosing the right site is one of the most important steps in pre-construction. Even a great building plan can fail if the site isn’t suitable.

📌 Key Site Considerations:
✔ Zoning & Land Use Regulations – Does the site allow for the intended business type?
✔ Utility Access & Infrastructure – Is there adequate water, sewer, and electricity?
✔ Soil & Environmental Conditions – Are there flood risks, contamination, or poor soil conditions?
✔ Traffic & Accessibility – Can customers, employees, and deliveries easily access the location?

⚠ Potential Issue: Many business owners purchase land before evaluating feasibility, leading to unexpected costs for zoning variances, utility extensions, or environmental remediation.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We collaborate with realtors, civil engineers, and zoning officials to ensure the site is build-ready before purchase.

3. Budgeting & Cost Estimating

Accurate cost estimation is essential to avoid financial surprises. During pre-construction, we analyze all potential expenses, including:
💰 Land Development Costs – Excavation, grading, and site preparation.
💰 Material & Labor Pricing – Anticipating market fluctuations and availability.
💰 Permitting Fees – Local approvals, environmental impact studies, and city requirements.
💰 Contingency Planning – Reserving 10-20% of the budget for unforeseen expenses.

📌 Why This Matters: A weak budget can stall construction mid-project, delay completion, or lead to quality compromises.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We provide detailed cost breakdowns upfront, allowing clients to make informed financial decisions before construction begins.

4. Design & Engineering Coordination

A well-planned project requires seamless collaboration between architects, engineers, and contractors. The pre-construction phase ensures:
📐 Blueprints Are Fully Developed – Avoiding incomplete or rushed designs that lead to delays.
📐 Structural & Mechanical Systems Are Optimized – Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing are integrated efficiently.
📐 Constructability Reviews Are Completed – Addressing potential issues before construction begins, not during.

⚠ Potential Issue: Contractors that bid on finalized drawings often exploit design flaws for costly change orders, increasing project costs mid-build.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We engage with architects and engineers early, providing cost-saving suggestions and constructability improvements before designs are finalized.

5. Permitting & Approvals

Permits can take weeks or even months to secure. Many projects get stuck in regulatory red tape because permitting was not addressed early enough.

📌 Common Permitting Requirements:
✔ Building & Zoning Permits – Compliance with city regulations and land use laws.
✔ Environmental & Stormwater Approvals – Necessary for projects affecting wetlands or requiring drainage management.
✔ Fire & Safety Code Compliance – Meeting OSHA and NFPA safety standards.

⚠ Potential Issue: Delayed permits can push back construction timelines by months, leading to rising costs and missed business launch dates.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We coordinate directly with local permitting offices, ensuring approvals are secured before construction begins.

6. Scheduling & Timeline Planning

A well-structured timeline keeps materials, labor, and subcontractors moving efficiently. Pre-construction planning helps to:
📅 Map Out Key Construction Phases – Excavation, framing, utilities, interiors, and final finishes.
📅 Account for Material Lead Times – Ordering materials early to prevent shortages.
📅 Identify Potential Delays & Solutions – Planning for weather disruptions, supply chain issues, and permitting delays.

📌 Why This Matters: Poor scheduling leads to wasted labor costs, project slowdowns, and operational disruptions.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We use advanced project scheduling tools and regular progress checkpoints to keep construction on time.

7. Finalizing Contracts & Selecting Vendors

The last stage before breaking ground involves contract negotiations and vendor selection.

📌 Key Contract Considerations:
✔ Scope of Work Defined – Avoiding vague language that leads to disputes.
✔ Payment Terms & Budget Protection – Ensuring transparency in cost breakdowns.
✔ Warranties & Liability Protection – Defining responsibilities for material defects or workmanship issues.

⚠ Potential Issue: Some contractors win bids with low prices, then increase costs mid-project through change orders.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We ensure clear, honest, and transparent contracts, protecting clients from unexpected cost increases.

Why the Pre-Construction Phase is Essential

Many construction delays and budget overruns happen because projects weren’t properly planned before breaking ground.

With proper pre-construction planning, you can:

✅ Reduce costly change orders and unexpected expenses
✅ Streamline approvals and permitting for a faster build
✅ Ensure site feasibility before committing financial resources
✅ Develop a realistic budget with accurate cost forecasting
✅ Coordinate timelines, materials, and labor to avoid project slowdowns

At CDM, we take pre-construction as seriously as the build itself, ensuring every project starts on solid ground with a clear roadmap for success.

📞 Planning a new project? Contact CDM today to ensure your pre-construction planning is handled by experts!