Collaborative Construction: The Key to Driving Project Success

Traditionally, commercial real estate developers rely on their design team to define a project’s scope and costs before selecting a contractor or construction manager. However, this approach may miss opportunities for cost and timeline efficiencies.

In our latest article with REBusiness Online, we recommend involving contractors early in the planning process. Experienced builders provide critical insights into material costs, labor availability, and construction sequencing, helping to streamline the design and execution phases. Contractors can also collaborate with site civil engineers to address site preparation, utility installation, and trade coordination.

Key Benefits of Early Contractor Involvement:

• Strategic Design: Collaborating early enables engineers and contractors to refine designs, reducing costs and improving timeline accuracy.
• Enhanced Constructability: Contractors identify potential issues like long lead times for materials, ensuring smoother project execution.
• Budget and Schedule Alignment: Close collaboration ensures projects stay on track financially and meet deadlines.

As Charlotte, NC, Associate Kate Curll highlights, “Involving a contractor early, especially for large-scale or phased projects, leads to more strategic designs and better outcomes.” Similarly, Jeff Mitchell from Duffey Southeast Construction emphasizes the value of joint problem-solving to maintain budgets and schedules.

By fostering early partnerships between contractors and engineers, developers can achieve more efficient, cost-effective projects that deliver lasting success. Read the full article here.