Chapter 3 of Construction Project Management: A Practical 10-Step Guide.
There are two types of construction project managers. The first type jumps into a project assuming everything is in order, only to hit costly roadblocks later. The second type—the smarter one—conducts a preconstruction project review that catches errors before they turn into expensive problems.
If you want to stay in control of your project (and your budget), reviewing everything before construction starts is non-negotiable.
This chapter is not just another theoretical guide. It’s a repeatable process that you can use before every project to eliminate surprises and ensure smooth execution.
What’s at Stake?
Most project delays, budget overruns, and contract disputes can be traced back to one thing: incomplete preconstruction planning.
Here’s what happens when you don’t do a thorough preconstruction project review:
- Design clashes go unnoticed until subcontractors start pointing fingers.
- Budget estimates turn out to be fantasy numbers when real costs come in.
- Site conditions are ignored, leading to expensive adjustments mid-project.
- Permits and approvals get delayed because someone assumed they were already in place.
Sound familiar? If so, this checklist will change how you manage projects.
How to Review a Construction Project Before Starting
A preconstruction project review has one simple goal: identify and fix problems before they cost you time and money.
There are five core areas you need to cover:
1. Plans and Specs: Read Everything Like a Skeptic
Your design documents are supposed to be a perfect roadmap for construction. They rarely are.
Look at your drawings and specifications with a critical eye. Ask yourself:
- Do structural, MEP, and architectural plans align, or will something collide on-site?
- Are material choices cost-effective, or did the designer play it overly safe?
- Have similar past projects revealed recurring design errors?
If you’re managing multiple projects, keep a project issue database. You’ll start noticing patterns—many mistakes repeat across projects from the same design team.
What to do now: Gather your team, go through the plans, and flag anything that looks off. If you find one issue, there are probably more.
2. Site Conditions: Don’t Assume Anything
A bad site assessment can derail your entire project. The earlier you catch problems, the cheaper they are to fix.
Check the following:
- Can materials and equipment be delivered easily? Or will you need temporary roads?
- Is the ground stable, or are unexpected soil reinforcements needed?
- Where are the nearest utility connection points? Are they even available?
Skimping on site analysis leads to expensive workarounds. You don’t want to be the project manager scrambling to fix an issue that could have been spotted weeks ago.
What to do now: Walk the site with your engineers and logistics team. Take notes. Assume nothing.
3. Budget Reality Check: The Moment of Truth
Every project budget looks good on paper—until reality kicks in.
A smart preconstruction project review involves more than glancing at spreadsheets. You need to verify:
- Are supplier quotes locked in, or are they just estimates?
- Have hidden costs (permits, logistics, inflation) been factored in?
- Are contingencies realistic, or are you gambling on a best-case scenario?
Many project managers only track costs after construction starts—a classic mistake. A budget isn’t something you react to. It’s something you control from day one.
What to do now: Get updated quotes. Identify cost hotspots. If something looks too optimistic, it probably is.
4. Contract Readiness: No Loose Ends
The preconstruction phase is your last chance to fix gaps in contracts before they become disputes.
- Are all subcontractor agreements signed, with clear scopes of work?
- Do you have proper clauses for cost adjustments and unforeseen site conditions?
- Is your payment schedule aligned with project milestones?
A poorly structured contract can wreck your cash flow. The more detailed your agreements, the fewer headaches later.
What to do now: Have a legal and financial review session. Clarify every contractual grey area now, not later.
5. Risk Assessment: Plan for What Will Go Wrong
Something will go wrong during construction. The question is whether you see it coming.
Before breaking ground, identify risks in:
- Safety compliance (OSHA, local regulations)
- Weather delays (seasonal risks, material storage)
- Subcontractor availability (are key teams already stretched thin?)
A strong preconstruction project review doesn’t just list risks—it creates backup plans.
What to do now: Develop mitigation strategies for the biggest risks. Assign responsibility for each one.
Your Preconstruction Checklist (Print This Out)
| No | Description | Details |
| 1 | Project Location | Naboo |
| 2 | Site Plan Orientation | TP2, V (office), and VI (warehouse) usage, fire load in warehouse up to 600 MJ |
| 3 | Plot Size and Boundaries | 18,113 m2, of which the building footprint is 6,405.1 m2, PVC hall footprint is 478.3 m2, and roads and yards area is 8,030.9 m2 |
| 3.1 | Intended Use | 12201 Office building, 12519 Other industrial building |
| 4 | Connection Points Location | Water – Foxbase road edge – not yet built, Sewer – Foxbase road edge – not yet built, Stormwater pre-drainage includes two designed ponds with volumes of 102 + 214 m3 |
| 5 | Access to the Site | From Wolf street via Foxbase street |
| 6 | Geology – Soil Layers and Groundwater Level | Sandy soil, groundwater level approx. 40.50 |
| 7 | Planned Pavements | Mostly asphalt pavement, some areas with street tiles and grass |
| 8 | Project Stages | Main project |
| 9 | Architectural Plan, Building Section, and Height | Roof height +12.000 |
| 10 | Building Level 0 | 0 = 43.50 |
| 11 | Foundation and Floor Solutions | Shallow foundation, piers + strip, floor on ground |
| 12 | Building Facade Solution | Warehouse: SW panels, Office: SW + cement fiberboard + metal cassette |
| 13 | Fire Resistance Class and Usage Type | PVC windows in the warehouse, aluminum in office |
| 14 | Evacuation Routes | 45 people |
| 15 | Fences and Roof Structures | Reinforced concrete posts and metal trusses, SBS roof |
| 16 | Types of Openings | PVC windows in the warehouse, aluminum in the office |
| 17 | Required Environmental Classes | Outdoor C3 |
| Building Areas | ||
| 18.1 | Net Area | 7475.5 m2 |
| 18.2 | Heated Area | 7475.2 m2 |
| 18.3 | Roof Area | 3207 m2 |
| Technical systems | ||
| 19 | Building Heating Type and Source | 3 air-to-water heat pumps (3 x 16kW) + gas boiler 96 kW |
| 20 | Required Building Heating Load | 43kW + hot water |
| 21 | Building Ventilation Solution | 1 unit + 3 roof fans + 1 explosion-proof fan + 24 ceiling fans |
| 22 | Pipeline Locations | Ground heating across the entire property, other pipelines on the south side of the building |
| 23 | Purification Equipment and Pump Stations | Oil separator E15/LM |
| 24 | External and Internal Fire Suppression System | External: existing hydrants, Internal: semi-rigid D33 mm hoses – dry system |
| 25 | Smoke Removal System and Activation Level | Natural smoke vents and windows |
| 26 | Building Cooling Requirement | 38 kW – 29 fan coils |
| 27 | Technical Equipment Locations | Boiler room 2nd floor, ventilation chambers 2nd floor |
| 28 | Main Distribution Board Location and Main Fuse Size | 3×160 A, distribution board located at the southern boundary of the plot |
| 29 | Lighting Solution | Exterior lighting on the facade and parking lot lighting on poles |
| 30 | Weak Current Systems | – |
| 31 | Required Special Systems | Irrigation water systems and tanks |
| 32 | Fire Alarm and Security | |
| 33 | Building Automation | Fire alarm + smoke removal |
| 34 | Building Automation System | Complete building automation solution |
| Internal design | ||
| 35 | Ceiling, Wall, and Floor Finishes | Carpet tile floors, PVC in technical rooms, tile in wet areas, industrial parquet in corridors, modular suspended ceiling in offices, structural ceiling in corridors, some areas with gypsum, wood, and metal ceilings |
| 36 | Ceiling Heights | 1st floor offices 2.7 m, 2nd floor offices 3 m |
| 37 | Sanitary Equipment Types | According to interior design specifications |
Why This Process Works
A preconstruction project review isn’t just paperwork. It’s the difference between a smooth-running job site and a crisis waiting to happen.
Project managers who follow this process:
- Catch expensive errors before they impact the schedule
- Keep budgets under control by identifying hidden costs early
- Reduce stress by eliminating last-minute surprises
Most importantly, they build a reputation for delivering projects efficiently and profitably.
Make This a Habit
Construction projects are complex. You can’t afford to guess whether everything is ready before work begins. A structured preconstruction process puts you in control.
Save this checklist. Use it before every project. Adjust it based on what you learn. The more disciplined your review process, the smoother your projects will run.
If you want to automate budget tracking and avoid financial surprises, tools like Planyard help manage costs in real-time—eliminating the guesswork.
Next up: How to keep a project on track once construction begins.
Explore the Next Chapter: Contract Management
You’ve mastered the Preconstruction Project Review. Next, dive into Contract management to learn about choosing the right contracts and negotiating terms that protect your project.
Go to the Construction Project Management: A Practical 10-Step Guide.