At MJ Settelen Construction, we often get involved with projects well before construction begins. Sometimes that means putting together an early budget from preliminary drawings. Other times, we’re walking a potential space, reviewing existing conditions, or working alongside the design team to help determine what makes the most sense for the project. You don’t need a finished set of drawings to bring a general contractor into the conversation. In fact, getting the construction team involved early can help answer important questions before the project gets too far along.

Finding Challenges Early

Renovating an existing space almost always comes with a few unknowns. Existing building conditions, utilities, access, occupied spaces and other factors can all impact how a project is designed and built. Having the contractor walk the space and review the plans early can help identify some of those challenges before construction begins.

As MJ Settelen Senior Project Manager Greg Pesot explains:

“An experienced construction professional is able to provide designers and architects with a laundry list of potential issues and conflicts before they arise.”

The earlier the team identifies a potential issue, the more time there is to work together and figure out the best solution.

Building the Budget Alongside the Design

Another big benefit of getting a contractor involved early is budgeting. A project doesn’t have to be fully designed for us to start putting numbers together. We regularly develop early budgets from test fits, preliminary drawings and design concepts. As the design develops, we can continue updating the budget and looking at different options. This gives the owner and design team a better understanding of where the project stands before the drawings are complete.

Greg has been talking about the value of this approach for years:

“Utilizing a contractor’s knowledge and experience early on could avoid unforeseen costs later in projects.”

Getting that construction perspective early can help the team make decisions about materials, systems and finishes while there is still flexibility to make changes.

Looking at the Project From a Construction Perspective

Cost is only one part of the conversation. A contractor can also provide input on materials, construction methods, lead times, phasing and logistics and help the team understand how different decisions could impact the project once construction begins. This becomes especially important when working in existing or occupied buildings. Deliveries, noise, shutdowns, building requirements and keeping neighboring tenants operational can all affect how the work needs to be planned. Even something as simple as selecting a material that isn’t suited for the amount of traffic a space receives can create maintenance or replacement costs down the road. Having construction experience at the table during design can help catch some of those details early.

You Don’t Need Finished Drawings to Call Us

Some of the projects we work on start with a simple conversation. We may be asked to walk a space and provide an early budget, survey an existing property, review preliminary drawings or help a client understand what may be involved before they decide how to move forward. We’ve also been brought on in a preconstruction role to survey sites and provide construction input that helps influence the direction of future renovations and builds. Getting the contractor involved early doesn’t change the role of the architect, engineer or owner’s representative. It simply adds another perspective to the conversation.

At MJ Settelen, we believe the best projects come from having the right team involved from the beginning. Whether you have a complete set of drawings or are just starting to explore an idea, we’re always happy to take a look and help determine the next step.