Pre-Construction

What's in pre-construction

Pre-construction runs from the first client conversation to the notice to proceed. The documents here follow that sequence:

• Winning the work: proposals, requests for quotation and feasibility studies in Business Development.
• Pricing: cost estimates, takeoffs, summaries and value engineering in Estimating.
• Planning: quality and execution plans, scope of work, procurement trackers and manpower charts in Project Planning.
• Getting ready to build: startup checklists, letters of intent and baseline schedules.

Estimators own the pricing documents. Preconstruction and project managers use the planning and procurement templates to set the baseline that the field team will build to.

Popular pre-construction templates

• Construction Cost Estimate Template - Excel: build a line-item cost estimate.
• Quantity Takeoff Template: measure quantities from drawings before pricing.
• Construction Procurement Schedule - Detailed: plan buyout and long-lead items.
• Construction Startup Checklist: confirm everything is in place before mobilizing.
• Letter of Intent Template: signal award while the contract is finalized.
• Construction Risk Management Plan: identify and assign project risks early.
• Construction Value Engineering Template: compare cost-saving alternatives.
• General Construction Schedule (With S-Curve): set a baseline schedule and planned progress curve.

Related categories and guides

Once the job is awarded, move on to Scheduling and Administration. Contract templates are in Legal.

From the Academy: The Ultimate Guide to Preconstruction Planning, Why Your Project Needs A Project Startup Checklist and Construction Tendering.

Frequently asked questions

What should a pre-construction checklist include?

Typical items are a confirmed scope, current drawings and specifications, an approved budget or estimate, a baseline schedule, permits, long-lead procurement, insurance and contract documents, a site logistics plan, a safety plan and a kickoff meeting. The Construction Startup Checklist covers many of these.

What is the difference between pre-construction and project planning?

Pre-construction is the whole phase before building starts, including selling, pricing and contracting the job. Project planning is one part of it: deciding how the work will be executed, in what order, with what resources and to what quality standard.

Is there a pre-construction schedule template?

Yes. Use the General Construction Schedule for the baseline and the Detailed Procurement Schedule to plan buyout and long-lead items. More schedule formats, including look-ahead and pull planning templates, are in the Scheduling category.

Are these templates editable?

They are meant to be filled in and adapted to each project. File type differs from product to product, so check the format listed on the product page before you download.