“Breaking ground,” or starting the physical part of the commercial construction work, is often seen as a build’s official beginning. After all, big backhoes and bulldozers tend to come to mind when most of us think of the industry!
But quite a lot goes on before the first machine even pulls up to the construction site – architectural design, of course, but also lots of legwork that’s not all that expected if you haven’t gone through the process before.
When you work with Miller Architects & Builders, we want you to feel completely comfortable with everything that’s undertaken surrounding your new build. Let us walk you through what happens before your construction company breaks ground.
What Is Pre-Construction?
Pre-construction involves the initial planning stages of your build, during which you’ll communicate closely with your design team and construction partners.
This phase of your project includes the development of detailed renderings, schedules, budgets, and projections for the amount of manpower required to complete the job.
Your construction management team will also work to identify any potential design or construction issues, as well as proposed solutions for issues that may arise throughout the process.
This extensive planning and communication during the pre-construction phase ultimately set the stage for the build. It also helps ensure that all stages of your project go smoothly and are executed as closely to plan as possible.
Paperwork Aplenty
During the pre-construction phase, your commercial contractor will do what’s called “pulling permits.”
This means they’ll contact local and any other applicable authorities to obtain permission to build on a piece of land. It tends to pertain to safety codes and practical matters.
It’s quite a bit of paperwork, and it can take weeks to be approved, but the process is often quicker if your commercial contractor does it for you.
Extenuating Entitlements
Entitlements differ from permits in that the former concerns zoning – how a structure’s future use will interact with and fit with the city’s designation of the land.
Entitlements can also affect how your future build may look. The necessary entitlements must be obtained before breaking ground, and this process can be a touch more nuanced and lengthy than obtaining a permit.
The developer or real estate company typically takes care of entitlements; It’s not something your construction company or architectural firm normally does. That said, if you work with Miller Architects & Builders, we can help with rezoning a property.
The Practicalities of Procurement
“Procurement” is just another fancy way of saying “obtaining the materials needed.”
Your construction management company will carefully plan out shipments before work truly begins, so they’re never without the resources needed for a successful project.
Though this might seem as simple as clicking a button to toss the required supplies in a cart, it’s hardly ever that easy! Procurement professionals often hear out bids from a variety of suppliers and review them all thoroughly before they make their decision.
If your commercial construction company is worried about potential lateness with any of their supplies, they’ll also discuss this and make plans to overcome any delays.
Commercial Construction & Project Management: Why It Matters
Your construction management partner plays a crucial role in all aspects of the pre-construction process of your project.
This team serves as a liaison between the design team, construction team, and all other teams involved in the build and works tirelessly to ensure all phases of the project move forward according to plan.
This includes:
● Ensuring your project adheres to local building and safety codes
● Keeping all phases of your project on the predetermined schedule
● Maintaining your pre-set project budget
● Communicating with all teams to ensure everyone is on the same page and moving forward concurrently
Ultimately, your construction management team is responsible for ensuring that you, the client, have peace of mind throughout the project and receive timely updates about your build.
Communication is crucial during any commercial build, not only to ensure the project moves along smoothly but also to ensure solutions are in place for any issues that may arise.
At Miller Architects & Builders, we deeply understand that. And that’s why, for nearly 150 years, we’ve served as a trusted construction management partner for countless clients throughout Minnesota and across the United States.
For a more in-depth breakdown of why having an experienced and skilled project manager is in your best interest, check out our blog, Construction Management: What’s It All About?
Miller A&B: Quality Construction Every Step of the Way
We’re proud to provide our clients with nothing but stellar service and construction work, no matter what that means given the stage of the building process. Contact our Saint Cloud office today at 320-251-4109.