As commercial development accelerates, owners and developers are increasingly involving contractors earlier in the planning process to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks before construction even begins. For many of our clients, pre-construction is no longer an afterthought—it has become an industry standard, especially in rapidly growing cities like Nashville.
At Crain, we believe a successful pre-construction process delivers maximum value to the owner while maintaining the integrity of the design. Our goal is to make sure our operations team has a well-defined contract, complete scopes, and strong trade partners to bring a project from vision to reality. By proactively planning, collaborating, and problem-solving upfront, we set the stage for a seamless build.
Laying a Strong Foundation Through Communication
Two core values that have shaped Crain for decades are communication and collaboration. These principles are critical not only during pre-construction but throughout the entire project lifecycle. The best outcomes happen when the owner, design team, and construction team work together from the start, aligning around expectations, needs, and goals.
The earlier our pre-construction team is involved, the better. By engaging during the conceptual design phase, we can provide valuable insights that help shape the project’s feasibility, budgeting, and scheduling. Our team works to bridge the gap between design intent and real-world constructability, ensuring every stakeholder is pulling in the same direction.
Pre-Construction and Design: Breaking Down the Process
The pre-construction phase often follows the design timeline, and our involvement evolves alongside project milestones. While each project is unique, the following steps outline how we support owners and design teams through the process:
1. Conceptual Design (Early Feasibility and Budgeting)
At the earliest stage, our team helps evaluate the project’s feasibility by analyzing preliminary designs, identifying and resolving potential challenges, and providing cost estimates based on market trends and historical data. This early budgeting helps owners make informed decisions before committing to full-scale design development.
2. Schematic Design (Preliminary Cost and Scope Analysis)
Once the initial concept is developed, we refine cost estimates by incorporating more detailed project information. At this stage, we also start identifying potential value-engineering opportunities—ways to achieve the same design intent more efficiently while maintaining quality.
3. Design Development (Trade Partner Coordination and Constructability Reviews)
As design details become clearer, we work closely with architects and engineers to assess constructability, review materials, and engage the best possible trade partners for the project. This proactive coordination helps address issues early, preventing costly redesigns later.
4. Procurement Planning (Strategic Material Sourcing)
In today’s market, procurement challenges can impact project schedules. Our pre-construction team often helps secure long-lead materials before construction starts, ensuring timely availability and minimizing delays. Early procurement planning can be crucial for specialty items or supply-chain-sensitive materials.
5. Construction Documents and Permitting (Final Budget and Scheduling Alignment)
Before breaking ground, we work to finalize budgets, lock in trade partners, and create a detailed project schedule. This stage also includes permitting coordination so that regulatory approvals are secured without delaying the start of construction.
The Crain Approach to Pre-Construction
At Crain, our pre-construction process isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a roadmap for success. By integrating early, collaborating closely with all stakeholders, and leveraging our industry expertise, we help streamline projects from vision to execution.
If you’re planning a commercial construction project and want to learn more about our approach to pre-construction, we’d love to connect. Reach out today to discuss how we can help lay the groundwork for your next build.
