Generally, preconstruction deals with the preliminary planning of a project by identifying the project, defining it, and analyzing the cost impacts of the project. This is the first phase of action before any meaningful construction work is carried out. Here, the project scope and overall cost of the project are determined on time to ensure the effective utilization of money and other resources. Before the site selection and proper commencement of the project, preconstruction is very necessary to give the owner proper insight into the scope of work.
Issues addressed by preconstruction
Preconstruction is very important in any project execution because it addresses certain issues that are quite important for the proper execution of the project. The following are the reasons why preconstruction is vital.
It addresses project feasibility
With preconstruction, the site owner will be able to know the scope of the project and the level of budget needed for the project. Different segments of the project are analyzed while risk analysis is carried out to determine how feasible the different elements in the project will be.
Value Engineering
This is an important process that enables the site owner to achieve the desired goal for the building through the most practical means. Value engineering is a creative and insightful process that doesn’t only reduce scope but looks for the most cost-effective alternative to achieve the desired building goal. With value engineering, the site owner will ensure that the construction project is built as planned, while still staying on budget.
Equipment Selection
Preconstruction will help you analyze different equipment approaches to select the most ideal option. Also, you will be able to find out alternative cost-saving equipment for the project. Here, all the equipment required for construction is listed to select the right ones for the project. These include both electrical and mechanical equipment. With instrumentation and piping diagrams, the right equipment for the project will be selected.
Developing schedules
Preconstruction helps you properly develop schedules for the project. A lot of projects have an intractable deadline, which definitely contributes to an increase in the overall cost of the project. With preconstruction, everyone involved in the project will be aware of important milestones, and the timeliness of project execution will be improved.
Evaluation of Utilities
Utilities are an integral part of any building project, and it’s important to evaluate sources of utilities before any work on the building will commence. The location of storage tanks, as well as the source of water, will be ascertained during the preconstruction process.
What are the main benefits of reconstruction to the owner?
Reconstruction has a lot of accrued benefits to the owner. He can use it as a guide for the process of capital project appropriation. But a more pronounced benefit is the use of reconstruction as a basis for making informed decisions. It, therefore, reduces a lot of capital budgeting risks for the owner and helps him recognize areas for cost savings during the actual construction work.
Impact of preconstruction on site selection and project commencement
Preconstruction gives the owner enough information to properly evaluate the project and begin site selection. Since the schedule and cost of the project are determined upfront, unexpected costs on the project will be minimized and the project is likely to be completed on schedule.
Overall, if the project has complex functionality, or design, or is not well-defined, the reconstruction process will surely be beneficial. This is why most successful building construction work passes through the reconstruction phase. That’s when proper feasibility is carried out and the scope of work is determined to ensure successful and cost-saving project implementation.
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