How Strategic Preconstruction Helps Owners Build With Confidence

Successful construction projects are often defined long before they begin. While preconstruction is commonly associated with estimating and scheduling, its greatest value lies in helping owners evaluate design options, align stakeholders and make informed decisions while there is still flexibility to influence the outcome. 

Those early decisions help maintain design intent, align projects with budget expectations and position them for successful execution.

For general contractor Coakley & Williams Construction, preconstruction involves more than creating estimates and schedules. It’s about bringing the right people to the table to understand an owner's goals, define success, identify priorities and develop strategies to achieve them, said CWC partner and Executive Director of Business Development Sherry Kissal.

Transparency and collaboration among stakeholders, including discussing risks and opportunities with the owner and sharing the “why” behind decisions, lead to better outcomes. The preconstruction team provides owners with realistic budgets based on real-time market conditions, historical data, lessons learned from previous projects and insights from trade partners.

“We understand how to anticipate our clients’ needs, help streamline decision-making and develop solutions that contribute to the project’s success,” Kissal said. “Our goal is to create value well beyond construction, which is why so many of our client relationships span multiple projects, years and even decades.”

Supporting that effort is a preconstruction team with expertise across education, multifamily, interiors, life sciences, hospitality and other sectors, she said. By combining perspectives from estimating, operations and trade partners early in the process, the team helps owners evaluate options and navigate complex decisions before construction begins.

The preconstruction team evaluates cost, procurement strategy and long-lead materials, while the operations team assesses constructability and execution strategies, helping owners understand the implications of key decisions early in the process. 

CWC Senior Preconstruction Manager for Education Alex Schwartz said these initial meetings are often where the greatest value is created. 

“During this time, the project is still taking shape, and the team has an opportunity to evaluate options, work through challenges and identify the best path forward early on,” Schwartz said. “The best projects are about helping owners and architects understand the implications of different decisions so the team can move forward with confidence.”

When getting involved early, the key is to identify opportunities that improve efficiency, schedule and cost without compromising on project quality and the owner’s vision, said CWC Preconstruction Manager for Multifamily and structural engineer Dina Sheehan.

The most effective way to save money is by making informed design decisions at the beginning rather than relying on value engineering later in the design process, she said.

“Bringing operations, estimating and trade partner expertise into the preconstruction process allows project teams to identify risks, evaluate alternatives and develop more effective project strategies before construction begins,” Sheehan said. “Early collaboration strengthens schedule planning, procurement efforts and budget development while helping avoid costly surprises later in the project.”

Having longstanding trade partner relationships means CWC can receive real-time market intelligence, helping the team identify procurement risks, improve pricing accuracy and provide owners with better information before key decisions are finalized.

Sheehan said CWC's trade partners are often among the first to identify emerging challenges and opportunities in the market, and bringing them into the conversation early gives the team a clearer understanding of pricing, availability and constructability while there is still flexibility in the design. 

“This process allows us to evaluate building systems, identify efficiencies and recommend alternative materials or assemblies that deliver the same level of quality and performance while improving long-term value,” she said. “By addressing these opportunities during preconstruction, we help keep the project aligned with the budget, maintain the design intent and position it for successful execution.”

Those opportunities often emerge when teams can evaluate alternatives early in the design process. During preconstruction on an education project in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region, CWC identified an opportunity to refine the proposed structural system based on lessons learned from previous campus projects. The team's recommendation reduced project costs while improving the building's long-term adaptability, giving the owner greater flexibility for future renovations and program changes, Schwartz said.

"Our goal is to help owners make informed decisions that not only support the project today but also the building's performance and functionality for years to come," she said.

The benefits of early collaboration extend beyond design decisions and can influence project outcomes long after construction commences. 

One of CWC’s recent projects, the Carl F. West Estates in Washington, D.C., finished three months ahead of schedule. During preconstruction, the team leveraged BIM coordination, trade partner collaboration and detailed planning to identify and resolve potential issues before they reached the field. That early work helped remove obstacles, create more efficient work areas for trade partners and maintain momentum throughout construction. 

Kissal said outcomes like these reflect CWC’s role as a trusted adviser, bringing the expertise needed to keep stakeholders aligned around the client’s goals from preconstruction through project delivery.

Ultimately, the goal of preconstruction is not simply to develop estimates and schedules. It is to create clarity, align stakeholders and give owners confidence in the path forward.

“Our role extends far beyond estimates and schedules,” Sheehan said. “By bringing together the right people, insights and expertise early in the process, we're able to help owners navigate complexity, reduce uncertainty and position their projects for success before construction even begins.”

This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B and CWC. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.