Project Planning

About the service

At Integrity Construction, we value the importance of planning correctly. Many of our clients are working on construction projects for the first time, and there’s no better option than premeditating all the details to ensure the project goes smoothly. Additionally, many project owners haven’t ventured into the commercial construction industry before, or they lack the time and resources to ensure everything is covered and that the project remains financially solvent. For a large building project, going it alone isn’t an option. That’s why enlisting the professional help of a construction manager such as Integrity Construction, that provides pre-construction planning & estimating services is paramount. Some of the key outcomes of the preconstruction phase are:

Scope  – The scope is where you define the main deliverables of the construction project broken down by stage and specialty. Planning for and defining the scope of the project is critically important to the successful completion of each stage. The more detailed the scope is, the less confusion or contention there will be over deliverables. It’s imperative the owner is clear about everything they expect, otherwise contractors may interpret the scope differently than they intended.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) – Due to its complexity, and demand for qualified 3D specialists, BIM is a service that not many architects, much less contractors offer. With BIM, we are able to take CAD plans and bring them into our special 3D estimating software and accurately calculate material take offs & even build out scenarios. With BIM, you’ll have the highest accuracy available today. The problem with estimating off two dimensional plans, is that you’ll have variables between each contractor's pricing estimates & building rollout / strategy. BIM technology not only allows us to completely and accurately bid on projects, it allows designers, owners, architects and tradesmen the ability to see each phase of the construction process in 3D. 

Schedule – The project schedule delineates when each stage of the project is expected to start and close down, and the hours each team will work. Will they work regular shifts, or nights and weekends? The construction schedule should detail the entire project’s plan with clear deliverables and team assignments. It includes resource management, team members, task dependencies, and often budget and cost for each stage.

Budget – Getting a clear understanding of the overall budget of the project and how it will be allocated for each stage of the project needs to be clarified in the preconstruction phase. Defining the budget dictates many other aspects of the project. For example, the size of the budget makes clear what is feasible to be included in the final design, and the quality of the materials that will be selected. The budget needs to take into account materials, equipment, labor, licensing, legal costs, contractor fees, among other key elements of the project.

Management Team – Selecting the core team members and clarifying what their responsibilities are is fundamental to any construction project. This typically includes the owner, senior project managers, project administrators, superintendents, foremen, and similar. Having a robust and experienced leadership team is essential to the success of the project. In particular, having a team that has a deep knowledge of the work to be done and relationships with others in the field, will help each step of the project succeed.

Contracting / Tradesmen – The earlier you define which contractors and subcontractors are needed, the sooner they can be selected.  At Integrity construction we have the right relationships to get the jobs done. This includes but not limited to Electrical, Mechanical, HVAC, Concrete, Stone & Tile,  Drywall, Steel, Plumbing, Framing, and custom fabricators. 

Labor – Selecting the personnel needed for each part of the project, such as equipment operators and field workers, will ensure you have the crew in place to get the work done. At the end of the day having honest and reliable workers will make sure the project gets built correctly. There’s a wide variety in skill levels across workers. Selecting those known to provide reliable work will ensure fewer delays or recalls on work completed.

Vendors – What other vendors are needed to achieve successful project completion? These may include everything from food, restroom service providers, to safety specialists. Outlining every vendor that will be on the schedule and payroll will prevent delays and help the project run smoothly.

Suppliers & Materials – Defining the type and quantity of materials should be done during preconstruction. This may include lumber, concrete, steel, drywall, aggregate, scaffolding, and similar. Sometimes the suppliers are preselected, other times they’re selected as each stage of the project progresses. The sooner the plan and price for all the materials are put in place, the better. It’s best to find out during pre construction if there’s a shortage of a certain material, or if the prices are significantly higher than expected. Throughout the years, we’ve developed a great network / rolodex of material providers and manufactures.  

Permits, Licenses, Inspections – Having a clear understanding of the legal and compliance requirements that are needed to complete the project in its city, county, and state jurisdiction, is highly important. These can take time to schedule and need planning to ensure every aspect of the project and its contractors are up to code. Services for your unique industry is a critical first step.

What's part of the service?

There’s a vast amount of planning that takes place before the actual construction of a project begins. Pre-construction services are offered as a first step in planning a project and provide details on everything from estimating, to design, to scope – and everything in between. A good construction manager will help the project owner know what to expect and when, by providing a step-by-step roadmap for getting the project done. Preconstruction planning is the most critical step in the construction process. A good plan can head off a world of change orders and budget increases. The more detailed the preconstruction process, the greater chance the project has for timely completion.

• Working closely with project owners, architects and engineers during the surveying & designing processes.
• Working closely with architects, designers and material vendors / manufactures during planning and actual roll out phases.
• Documenting & recording construction phases for future maintenance / repairs and other BIM needs. 
• Customizable Pre Construction Planning Packages.
• Existing condition Analysis
• Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Construction Analysis & Review.
• Cost Estimating & Control
• Scheduling, Phasing & Logistics
• Bid Packaging
• Cash Flow Analysis
• Material Procurement
• Risk Management
• Subcontractor Pre-Qualification & Selection

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