Every construction project has its own unique set of challenges, constraints, and potential risks. However, with adequate preparation at the start, these issues are greatly reduced. All it takes is some careful planning, and asking your contractor the right questions before project work commences.
If you are planning a construction project for your own company or on behalf of your organization, you’ll need some direction. You can ensure your goals are met and maximize your project success with these pre-construction questions.
18 Pre-Construction Questions To Ensure Success
Project Planning
1. What is your unique goal and objective?
How should the building’s materials or architectural features align with your company brand? Before any construction project gets started, you need to have a clear picture of what you require from your new building.
Draw up a rough plan of what you’re looking for, with your goals and objectives clearly outlined in this plan.
2. Have all stakeholders clearly defined their expectations?
Have you ensured that the construction company fully understands your expectations? If you are acting on behalf of an organization, make sure that all relevant stakeholders communicate their expectations during this stage. You want to make sure that your company and the contractor are aligned before construction begins.
3. Are there any practical challenges?
Your ideas or requirements may not be as realistic or practical as you think. If there are any difficulties with making your vision come to life in the location you want, allow the contractor to suggest how they can address it or propose suitable alternatives before construction commences.
Budget Considerations
4. What is the allocated construction budget?
This is one of the most important factors in the pre-construction phase. Knowing and understanding your/ your company’s budget will guide you and your chosen contractor as to whether or not you can meet your construction goals.
5. Have all cost estimates been thoroughly reviewed?
You’ll receive a fair quote if contractors know what they’re working with. If there is any uncertainty due to, for example, fluctuations in prices or shortages of raw materials affecting the costs, consider this.
6. How will the project budget be monitored/controlled?
Do you expect to be given regular updates and breakdowns of how the budget is being allocated? Are you expected to do so for your company’s board members? If so, determine the schedule and platform for this.
Project Timeline
7. What is the desired project completion date?
Is your desired completion date ‘set in stone’ or flexible? If certain building phases need to be completed at distinct times, make this clear at the outset so that your contractor can plan the project schedule accordingly.
8. Are there any dependencies or constraints that could impact the project schedule?
Unfortunately, despite careful planning, things can sometimes go awry. This is quite common in the construction industry, so always plan for any contingencies. Your contractor will be able to tell you how they deal with potential delays and work out contingency plans.
Stakeholder Communication
9. Who are the key stakeholders?
In the case of large-scale construction projects like retail centers, corporate office blocks, or hospitality establishments, there will be several stakeholders in the project. Make sure everyone on the project knows who the stakeholders are so that no one is left out of the loop.
10. How will project team members communicate with stakeholders?
Once you know who has a vested interest in the project, you’ll have established who the point of contact for the construction company will be. Then you can decide how to communicate and which channels to use.
11. Are there regular meetings or reporting mechanisms in place to keep everyone informed?
During the pre-construction phase, outline how regularly you want the construction team to update you on the project’s progress. Decide on how often you want reports or whether you want regular meetings.
Quality Control
12. What are the quality standards this project needs to meet?
Do you require a certain standard of quality or environmental safety and sustainability practices? How will this be monitored and ensured throughout construction? Make sure that your contractor is aware of any specific quality standards so that they can meet your requirements
13. Does there need to be any quality control inspections or tests?
Ask your contractor about quality control inspections and how they work. If, upon being tested or inspected, some of your installations or components are defective or non-compliant, what will happen? Formulate a plan for dealing with potential problems as they could cause costly delays.
Risk & Safety Management
14. What are the potential risks and hazards associated with the project?
It’s important to be aware of what can go wrong with your project. Ask your contractor about any risks or hazards you should know about so that you can prepare for them in case they happen.
15. Are there appropriate safety measures and protocols?
Of course, there are potential risks with any project, even smaller-scale ones. To reduce workplace incidents and injuries, and hence construction delays, contractors must establish safety measures, and protocols. This applies not only to the construction workers, but everyone visiting the site.
16. How will risks be identified, assessed, and mitigated during construction?
Your contractor will have processes in place to identify, assess, and mitigate risk on the construction site. They will be able to explain how they handle risk to ensure your project runs smoothly.
Adapting To Changes
17. How do you manage changes to the project scope, schedule, or budget?
No matter how precisely everything is set out at the start, there will likely be changes needed along the way. Three of the most common are changes to scope, schedule, or budget. Ask your contractor how they manage or adjust for changes.
18. What is the procedure for evaluating change requests and obtaining approvals?
Changes happen, so be prepared for how change requests and approvals will be communicated back and forth. Discuss how change requests and approvals should be done with your contractor so that you understand the process before construction begins.
Conclusion
During the pre-construction phase, it’s important to ask these questions so that all stakeholders and the construction team understand how the project will proceed and ensures that expectations are clear. This way, the project can set off in the right direction from the start.
Here at Chad Fisher Construction, we pride ourselves on meeting construction objectives and challenges in the Pacific Northwest. With our hardworking team and strong relationships with industry contractors, we maximize the success of any construction project.
Contact us today for expert advice regarding your particular construction project goals.