Pre-Construction Services
Smart projects start with thorough planning. Gonzales Construction’s pre-construction services help you evaluate feasibility, develop accurate budgets, and identify potential challenges before construction begins, ensuring informed decisions and eliminating costly surprises throughout your metal building project.
- Detailed Cost Analysis
- Four Generations of Expertise
- Plan Check Support
Or call 818-758-2490
Since 1960
Four generations of pre-construction expertise in metal building projects
TALON Software
Industry-leading estimating technology for accurate cost projections
Primavera Scheduling
Critical path methodology for reliable project timelines
Plan Check Support
Personal assistance walking plans through Building Department approval
What Are Pre-Construction Services?
Pre-construction services encompass the critical planning, analysis, and coordination activities that occur before construction begins. These services transform your project concept into a well-defined scope with realistic budgets, achievable schedules, and identified risks, setting the foundation for successful project delivery.
Why Pre-Construction Matters
Projects that skip or shortchange pre-construction planning frequently experience budget overruns, schedule delays, and scope conflicts. Thorough pre-construction analysis identifies potential issues when they cost nothing to address, rather than discovering them during construction when changes are expensive and disruptive. The investment in planning typically returns multiples in avoided problems and optimized solutions.
Pre-Construction for Metal Buildings
Pre-engineered metal buildings offer unique pre-construction advantages. Because building components are manufactured to precise specifications, accurate cost estimates and schedules can be developed early. Our experience with metal building systems allows us to evaluate design options, identify value engineering opportunities, and anticipate construction challenges before they impact your project.
Our Pre-Construction Services
Gonzales Construction provides comprehensive pre-construction services that prepare your metal building project for success. Each service can be engaged independently or as part of an integrated planning package tailored to your project needs.
Site Evaluation and Feasibility Analysis
Before committing resources to detailed design, we evaluate whether your site and project concept are viable. Our feasibility analysis examines site conditions, zoning requirements, utility availability, and potential constraints that could affect project success or cost.
Key Capabilities:
- Site constraints and opportunities assessment
- Zoning and land use compliance verification
- Utility availability and connection requirements
- Environmental and geotechnical considerations
- Preliminary project viability determination
Preliminary Design Development
We develop preliminary design concepts that address your functional requirements within budget parameters. Using American Buildings Company’s TALON software, we model design alternatives and evaluate cost implications in real time, helping you make informed decisions about building configuration, size, and features.
Key Capabilities:
- Conceptual floor plans and building configurations
- 3D visualization using Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Design alternative comparison and evaluation
- Operational workflow integration
- Future expansion planning considerations
Cost Estimating and Budget Development
Accurate cost information is essential for project decision-making. Our estimating team uses TALON estimating software combined with decades of construction experience to develop detailed, reliable cost projections that account for all project components, from foundations through final finishes.
Key Capabilities:
- Detailed line-item cost estimates
- Budget development and validation
- Cost comparison of design alternatives
- Contingency planning and risk allowances
- Ongoing budget tracking and reconciliation
Value Engineering
Value engineering analyzes project components to identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising function or quality. Our team’s deep experience with metal building systems enables us to suggest alternatives, substitute materials, and modify details that deliver the same performance at lower cost.
Key Capabilities:
- Systematic analysis of design components
- Alternative material and system recommendations
- Life-cycle cost analysis
- Performance versus cost tradeoff evaluation
- Constructability improvements
Schedule Development
Realistic schedules are essential for coordinating resources, planning occupancy, and managing stakeholder expectations. We develop detailed construction schedules using Primavera software, incorporating critical path methodology to identify key milestones, dependencies, and potential schedule risks.
Key Capabilities:
- Critical path schedule development
- Milestone identification and tracking
- Resource loading and leveling
- Schedule risk assessment
- Manufacturing and delivery coordination
Plan Review and Permitting Coordination
Navigating the permitting process requires understanding local codes, jurisdictional requirements, and Building Department procedures. We review plans for code compliance, coordinate with design professionals on required modifications, and personally walk plans through the Plan Check process to expedite approvals.
Key Capabilities:
- Code compliance review and verification
- Building Department coordination
- Plan Check submission and follow-up
- Correction response coordination
- Permit issuance facilitation
Our Pre-Construction Process
Gonzales Construction’s pre-construction process is designed to systematically address project requirements while building toward construction readiness. Each phase produces specific deliverables that inform subsequent phases and support project decision-making.
Discovery
We begin by understanding your project objectives, operational requirements, budget parameters, and schedule constraints. This discovery process ensures our analysis and recommendations align with your actual business needs rather than assumptions.
- Project objectives and success criteria definition
- Operational and functional requirements gathering
- Budget and schedule parameter establishment
- Stakeholder identification and communication planning
Assessment
With requirements understood, we evaluate site conditions, analyze constraints, and assess project viability. This phase identifies issues that could affect project success and develops strategies to address them.
- Site conditions and constraints analysis
- Regulatory and code requirements research
- Risk identification and mitigation planning
- Feasibility determination and recommendations
Planning
Based on assessment findings, we develop preliminary designs, detailed cost estimates, and project schedules. This phase transforms requirements into a defined scope with realistic budget and timeline projections.
- Preliminary design development and alternatives
- Detailed cost estimate preparation
- Construction schedule development
- Value engineering analysis
Execution Preparation
The final pre-construction phase prepares for construction start. We finalize documentation, coordinate permitting, and establish the framework for construction phase activities.
- Construction document coordination
- Permit application and plan check management
- Procurement planning and scheduling
- Construction phase preparation
TALON Estimating Software
We use American Buildings Company’s TALON estimating software to develop accurate, detailed cost projections. This industry-leading technology allows real-time evaluation of design alternatives and their cost implications, helping you make informed decisions about building configuration and features.
Accelerated Permitting
We personally walk your construction plans through the Building Department Plan Check process. Having an experienced construction representative answer questions and expedite corrections helps accelerate approval timelines, keeping your project on schedule.
Our manufacturer partnership provides access to advanced estimating technology and engineering support during pre-construction planning.
When to Engage Pre-Construction Services
Pre-construction services provide value across a range of project situations. The following scenarios particularly benefit from early planning and analysis support.
New Facility Planning
When planning a new metal building facility, pre-construction services help translate operational requirements into building specifications, evaluate site options, develop realistic budgets, and establish achievable schedules before committing to construction.
Budget Validation
If you have a budget number that needs validation or refinement, our estimating services can assess whether your project scope aligns with available funds and identify value engineering opportunities if adjustments are needed.
Project Rescue
When a project has stalled due to budget issues, design problems, or permitting challenges, pre-construction analysis can identify solutions, develop revised budgets, and create a path forward.
Public Works Bidding Support
General contractors bidding on public works projects that include metal building components can engage our estimating services to develop accurate subcontractor pricing that strengthens their overall bid competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our pre-construction services and planning process.
What does pre-construction services cost?
Pre-construction service fees vary based on project scope and the specific services engaged. For projects that proceed to construction with Gonzales Construction, pre-construction fees are typically credited toward the construction contract. Contact us to discuss your project and receive a proposal for pre-construction services.
How long does the pre-construction process take?
Timeline depends on project complexity and the services required. A basic feasibility analysis and preliminary estimate might be completed in two to three weeks. Comprehensive pre-construction including detailed design development, permitting coordination, and schedule development typically requires six to twelve weeks. We can tailor the scope and timeline to match your project needs.
Can I engage pre-construction services without committing to construction?
Yes. Pre-construction services can be engaged as standalone consulting without any obligation to proceed with construction. Many clients use our feasibility analysis and estimating services to evaluate project viability or validate budgets before making go/no-go decisions.
What information do I need to provide for pre-construction analysis?
At minimum, we need to understand your intended use, approximate building size, site location, and budget expectations. More detailed information, including site surveys, soils reports, and specific operational requirements, allows for more accurate analysis. We can advise on what information would be most valuable for your specific project.
How accurate are your preliminary cost estimates?
Estimate accuracy depends on the level of design development and available information. Conceptual estimates based on limited information typically carry accuracy ranges of plus or minus 15 to 20 percent. Detailed estimates based on developed designs achieve accuracy within plus or minus 5 to 10 percent. We clearly communicate the accuracy range associated with each estimate we provide.
Do you provide pre-construction services for projects outside California?
Yes. While we are based in California and most familiar with California codes and processes, we have provided pre-construction services for projects throughout the United States. Our estimating and design development capabilities apply regardless of location, though permitting coordination services are most effective in jurisdictions where we have established relationships.