Preconstruction Services
A successful construction project is the result of a well–defined and executed preconstruction plan, and Balfour Beatty’s preconstruction services offer the best assurance of constructability, with the most accurate estimates and in–depth analysis to instill the greatest degree of owner confidence.
This value–added service includes:
- Comprehensive and detailed plans
- Meticulous processes and reliable numbers; and
- A fully invested and involved project team.
With our market insight, more than 76 years of industry–specific service, solution–oriented tools, and bandwidth and flexibility, projects are in budget and on schedule throughout their lifecycle.
Balfour Beatty Construction has one of the largest dedicated preconstruction departments in the industry. Our in–house preconstruction department consists of scores of preconstruction professionals, including MEP and LEED specialists.
Our approach includes:
- Program development. To develop a clear understanding of the purpose, vision, and goals for the project, we first establish communication with all team members, building a foundation of cooperation between all.
- Preliminary budget preparation. As the architect completes the conceptual design, Balfour Beatty Construction validates the budget using our proven processes and tools.
- Value management. In a continual team effort throughout the entire preconstruction phase, we perform a systems analysis, enabling us to review the different design options and determine the product that provides the most value to our client.
- Constructability reviews. This process, a workshop conducted at the CD phase of design, includes the entire team and is the culmination of all previous design review exercises. All specification drawings are reviewed for variance, gaps, and overlaps.
- Schedule development. A dedicated in-house Scheduling Manager works with the preconstruction and operations teams to develop accurate schedules, also visiting the project to review schedule updates and make any required logic changes.
- Bid development. Our bid development process differentiates us from other companies. Usually, when contractors send out bid packages to the subcontracting community, they simply provide them with drawings and specifications. Our bid packages include with the drawings and specs a detailed scope of work or written contract, listing everything we want the subcontractor to price. In this manner, we level the bids and eliminate scope gaps, minimizing errors. In addition, our strong relationships with the subcontractor community enable us to receive the most competitive pricing from a large resource of subcontractors.
- Pre-bid meeting. We hold a pre-bid meeting to answer subcontractor questions before bidding the project. Designer and client’s representatives are included and encouraged to participate in both pre-bid and post-bid meetings.
- Post-bid meetings. Post-bid meetings are held with qualified bidders after the bids are received to analyze the submitted scope of work, ensuring that subcontractor forms are complete and comparable. Based on this review, we make our recommendations to the client for final approval of subcontractor selection. Because the client controls the budget dollars, Balfour Beatty Construction believes that the client should have final approval in awarding subcontracts.
Through these preconstruction processes, we can assure you that we will reach your design, schedule, and budget objectives.