The preconstruction phase of a development is often one of the most crucial steps of the whole process. It is often at this point when a project can be made or broken, depending on how accurate, comprehensive and feasible the preconstruction planning turns out to be.
With that in mind, it is very important that you hire a construction consultant in Berkeley, CA that is very experienced with preconstruction and all that it entails, from the scheduling to the logistics to the budget analysis. Here is a closer look at how a qualified construction consultant can help with your development’s preconstruction phase:

• Scheduling and time management: Once you have your design figured out, it is time to nail down a realistic yet efficient schedule. Beyond simply setting an end date and different intermediate goals, an experienced preconstruction consultant will also make sure that time management is employed as effectively as possible, meaning that each and every person working on the job site will always be working on projects that make the most sense at that time.
• Coordinating logistics: In addition to time management, a strong construction project also needs firm and solid logistics. Logistics essentially involves coordinating all the different moving parts and making sure that none of them interfere with each other or slow each other down. For example, if you have a large construction site on which more than one project is happening at a time, the preconstruction consultant will make plans to ensure each subproject has plenty of space while working simultaneously.
• Initial budget analysis: By this point in the development process, you will likely already have a fairly firm budget nailed down. But the preconstruction phase is when each facet of the budget is evaluated from a strong cost-benefit perspective, and when different avenues for saving money are explored. For example, if proposed granite countertops can be replaced with a less expensive yet equally durable quartz option, your construction consultant in Berkeley, CA will bring that to your attention.
• Reviewing feasibility: During the predesign phase, your construction consultant will determine what the constraints and opportunities for design will be. This analysis will be subject to review during the preconstruction phase, when feasibility will be the core goal. Everything from design integrity to time limits to budget will be thoroughly examined to ensure it is realistic.
• Confirm availability: Finally, a construction project relies on many different factors to go smoothly, including availability of materials, supplies and professionals. During the preconstruction phase, your consultant will make sure all these different factors will be fully available during the entire construction phase, so that no unpleasant surprises pop up further down the line.

In the long and complicated process of developing a property, the preconstruction phase is often considered one of the most crucial early steps. To learn more about this phase, and what a quality construction consultant in Berkeley, CA can do for you, please get in touch with KSD Group Inc. today. We look forward to hearing from you.

As a full-service construction management company in San Francisco, CA, the team here at KSD Group Inc. is proud to offer comprehensive construction management, from the predesign phase all the way to the finishing touches of construction. But many of our clients find themselves wondering: what exactly goes into the predesign phase, and why is it necessary?

Imagine that a construction project is like a dinner party. Before you can start planning the menu for your dinner party, you need to know how much space and time you will have, how many people will be attending and whether there are any allergies or dietary restrictions you should know about. Predesign covers similar planning purposes for a construction project, including the following factors:

• Site analysis: Before you can build something, you need to know what kind of foundation you are working with. For example, if there are municipal power lines running underneath the property, they might limit what kind of excavation work you can do. Typically, site analysis involves hiring a professional, certified land surveyor to determine what the land characteristics are, as well as what your exact boundaries are. Knowing these important factors will help start your design and construction project off on firm footing.
• Identifying constraints: A constraint is, essentially, any limit that will need to be put on the design of your development. For example, if you are building along the coast, the California Coastal Commission will likely impose restraints on how tall your building can be. The sooner you know what all your constraints are, the easier it will be to adjust any preliminary design plans.
• Finding opportunities: As any quality construction management company in San Francisco, CA knows, the best developments are the ones that use their constraints to find exciting new opportunities. Just as any given property will come with limits, it will likely also come with prime selling features, such as a fantastic view, easy excavation or an empty adjacent lot that can open the door to new design and construction features. The key is finding the opportunities that work for you, and then running with them.
• Determining costs: Chances are, you will already have some sort of preliminary budget in place before the predesign phase begins. But it is at this point that you will get an idea of whether that budget is truly feasible, and which features or ideas are worth pursuing from a cost-benefit standpoint. Once you have a strong idea of how much your project will cost, you can start searching for new avenues of funding if need be.
• Planning a schedule: Finally, once the predesign phase is complete, you will have a fairly good idea of how long the rest of the design and development process ought to take. You can put this knowledge to good use by developing a firm schedule, and imploring your collaborators to stay true to it.

For more information about predesign planning services, please feel free to get in touch with KSD Group Inc. anytime. As a construction management company in San Francisco, CA, we are committed to helping you throughout every phase of your project.