Pre-construction

During this critical phase, clients get the benefit of the builder’s experience and viewpoint. At Benchmark, we believe that proactive management during this phase will assure that the design reflects the client’s program requirements, as well as budget, schedule, and quality parameters. Early on, clients understand what their budget will afford, they are able to obtain financing sooner, and the project takes less time to complete than the traditional system (design, bid and build contract format).

Pre-construction is when we begin implementing our communication and reporting systems. These systems identify potential misunderstandings and eliminate them before construction begins.

Also during Pre-Construction, clients have an opportunity to explore alternative systems, such as energy efficiency, lifecycle cost systems, sustainable technology, and environmentally sound construction techniques.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION includes the following services:

• Estimating (early knowledge of firm price)-From the beginning of the design process, Benchmark works closely with the client and designers to accurately conceptualize the completed project, while providing continuous and concurrent estimating. This results in accurate construction costs and schedules far sooner than is traditionally possible, thus allowing the establishment of project feasibility and securing of financing well in advance of construction. 
• Project planning and scheduling-Develop a master schedule, identify milestones, consider specific site issues, develop final construction sequencing. 
• Value engineering-Our design and construction personnel work collectively as a team. Through ongoing evaluation of systems, materials and methods, we assess operating expense against capital cost to optimize your project’s overall life cycle. This combination of resources results in maximum control and immediate response as your project evolves from a concept to a completed building. 
• Budget management-From the beginning of the design process, Benchmark works closely with the client and designers to accurately conceptualize the completed project, while providing continuous and concurrent estimating. This results in accurate construction costs and schedules, far sooner than is traditionally possible, thus allowing the establishment of project feasibility and securing of financing well in advance of construction. 
• Site design, evaluation and permitting-Our in-house civil engineering expertise provides the owner with the professional constructor’s perspective on all site issues. Cost alternatives are offered during the site design and permitting phase so that cost savings can be incorporated into the permitted documents. Permitting management by Benchmark ensures that the overall project timeline is met and that it dovetails with total project requirements.