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Prepare Your Project with Pre-Construction Services

Building Plans

Once the planning is in place, the team at Hercules Construction Management sets up an effective pre-construction plan so your project can execute without issue. Pre-construction building services cover cost-saving opportunities like contract design, cost estimates, value engineering, and more.

Once this stage of setup is complete, you can move into the construction phase. However, it takes a discerning eye to effectively assess every aspect of the pre-construction phase to set your building project up for success. This is how Hercules Construction Management brings you real value.

Contract & Design Document Review

Contracts and design documents may have errors hidden in the language that could cost you extra time and money by the end of the project. Our team reviews your documents to ensure every detail is covered and aligns with your expectations and budget.

Constructability Details Review

A constructability review is a technical evaluation on the proposed design and how it will be constructed. We review the details, evaluate the proposed construction method, and determine whether the plan needs revisions or is stable enough to execute.

Value Engineering Options Analysis

Our team analyzes the value engineering options at your disposal, including:
 

  • Quality: Is this the best team for the project? Are the materials and environment ideal for the cost?

  • Materials: What materials are needed and how will they be acquired?

  • Construction Methods: Are the construction methods economical and effective uses of your resources?

  • Design: Do the design solutions meet the project’s requirements?

Phasing/Scheduling Recommendations

A schedule determines how quickly and efficiently a building project is completed. If everyone knows their part to play and when to play it, the process continues smoothly. We make recommendations based on the teams available, the location, the timeframe, and more to create a phasing structure and overall schedule that works for everyone while getting your project done quickly and efficiently.

Alternative Systems & Materials Evaluation

Having a list of backup options and alternatives in case of a shortage, shipping issue, or other problem is vital to keeping low costs and ensuring your schedule continues uninhibited. Our team assesses the options at your disposal and makes recommendations based on the needs of your project and the timeline available to you.

Cost Estimating Analysis & Recommendations

When everything has been evaluated and agreed upon, we provide a cost estimate based around end goals and expected spending, along with recommendations on how to spend the budget and where you could spend less to get more.

Common Pre-Construction Service Questions

What methods do you employ to ensure the accuracy and reliability of your cost estimates?

1. Detailed Scope Definition

  • Clearly outline the project’s scope, materials, labor, equipment, and contingencies.

  • Ensure alignment with stakeholders to avoid scope creep and miscalculations.
     

2. Use of Historical Data

  • Reference past projects of similar scope and scale to benchmark costs.

  • Adjust for inflation, market fluctuations, and location-specific conditions.
     

3. Risk and Contingency Planning

  • Identify potential risks (e.g., material price volatility, labor shortages).

  • Include contingency funds (typically 5–15% of total cost) to account for unforeseen expenses.
     

4. Adjust for Market and Economic Conditions

  • Monitor material costs, inflation, and economic trends that may impact pricing.

  • Update estimates accordingly to reflect the latest conditions.

How do you assess and account for potential risks and uncertainties in your cost estimates?

1. Identify Potential Risks

  • Project-Specific Risks: Design changes, site conditions, material shortages, labor availability.

  • External Risks: Market fluctuations, inflation, regulatory changes, weather disruptions.

  • Contractual & Legal Risks: Permitting delays, disputes, contract scope gaps.
     

2. Conduct a Risk Analysis

  • Qualitative Risk Assessment: Rank risks based on likelihood and impact (e.g., high, medium, low).

  • Quantitative Risk Analysis: Use data-driven methods like Monte Carlo simulations or sensitivity analysis to model financial impact.
     

3. Establish a Contingency Fund

  • Typically, 5–15% of total project cost, depending on project complexity and risk level.

  • Higher-risk projects require a larger contingency buffer.

  • Apply a graduated contingency approach, where different project components have varying risk buffers.
     

4. Regularly Update Estimates

  • Conduct ongoing estimate reviews at project milestones.

  • Adjust cost projections based on actual vs. estimated costs as the project progresses.

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