Embarking on a construction project can be an exciting venture, whether a small renovation to your office or a large-scale commercial build. Construction projects are diverse in scale, complexity, and goals, so maintaining a seamless flow through each of the project’s various stages is crucial for staying on track with timelines and budgets. This guide aims to demystify the phases of a construction project, highlighting the journey from pre-construction planning to project execution.
PHASE ONE: PROJECT STUDY
Deliverables during this phase include drawings, floor plans, space studies, and engineered reports such as site surveys, and hazmat testing.
Discovery
Our design team uses this time to learn as much as they can about you, your brand, and your project goals and objectives. Simultaneously, our seasoned construction professionals are conducting rigorous site assessments to identify any important details related to the existing conditions. This assessment provides an informed path forward and helps the team identify the most viable design options. Estimators also give instrumental feedback on how to address any inevitable concerns. Their recommendations are not just theoretical, but practical, derived from decades of field experience.
Conceptual Design
Once we’ve determined the general size and shape of the building or space a team of carefully selected architects, engineers, and designers is assembled and together they start to put your ideas onto paper. This vision is brought to life by fusing the data we’ve collected with modern design principles. The design stage of a project is a significant endeavor and the intense attention to detail ensures that the design and construction are feasible, code-compliant, and effective.
Once the design is complete, we present technical documents and visual aids that are meant to give you a better understanding of the design direction.
Estimating & Bidding
After completing an in-person site visit and material takeoff, our estimators review the bid package and evaluate the labor requirements to calculate a reasonable expectation for the cost of the project.
Project Schedule
This estimated schedule is predicated on the expected material lead times, weather conditions, space occupation, and client response time.
PHASE TWO: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Deliverables during this phase include Design & Branding Requirements, Construction Documents, Guaranteed Project Pricing, and Project Schedule.
Now that the general parameters of your project have been established our team will begin production on the architectural drawings, including detailed floor plans and elevations. From these drawings our estimating team can begin the bid qualification process. This process doesn’t simply boil down to selecting the lowest number. Our estimators ensure that all bids are properly leveled to cover the full scope of work and any subsequent revisions. Through comprehensive planning and strategic development, Solidus can identify areas of risk and enact measures to minimize that risk before it affects the project.
We also use this time to conduct a branding opportunity and implementation assessment. Using your brand guidelines, we suggest a retail marketing strategy that will enhance your customers’ brand experience. Our environmental branding designer will work with the interior design team to develop a proposed branding deck that can be successfully integrated into your space and complement the finish selections. This collaboration ensures that each branding element will support and reinforce the overall design strategy.
One of the final components during the pre-construction phase is securing all the resources, materials, and equipment necessary to complete the project. During this procurement stage, an important consideration is where and how materials and equipment will be staged to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
And now, the stage is set.
PHASE THREE: PROJECT EXECUTION
Deliverables during this phase include Construction Management, Office Furniture Installation, Equipment and Flooring Installation, Technology Implementation, Security, and Moving Services
Our collaborative, IPD approach during the first 2 phases of this process ensures the seamless execution of your project. Attentive project managers monitor every step of the construction process by proactively communicating with all parties involved and a dedicated, in-house field supervisor is assigned to each project thereby maintaining consistent oversight of the day-to-day operations.
Because our team occupies the site during the entire life cycle of the project, we can ensure that any problems are quickly identified and fixed before becoming more significant. There is no waiting game. Construction is completed according to the project timeline and specifications.
In Conclusion
The journey of a construction project, from its inception to its completion, is a complex and multifaceted process that demands meticulous planning, coordination, and collaboration across various stages. Each phase, from pre-construction planning through construction to post-construction handover, is pivotal in transforming an idea into a tangible, functional structure. The importance of choosing a competent and experienced team, such as Solidus, to navigate these phases cannot be overstated, as their expertise ensures that the project remains on track, within budget, and is of the highest quality.
The detailed breakdown of the different phases highlights the significant work behind the scenes before any physical construction begins, underscoring the pre-construction phase’s critical role in laying a solid foundation for the entire project. Moreover, the emphasis on collaboration and integration among all stakeholders, facilitated by advanced tools and approaches championed by general contractors like Solidus, reinforces the notion that success in construction is as much about building relationships as it is about building structures.
