Preconstruction Project Review: The Checklist That Saves Time and Nerves

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)

NoDescriptionDetails
1Project LocationNaboo
2Site Plan OrientationTP2, V (office), and VI (warehouse) usage, fire load in warehouse up to 600 MJ
3Plot Size and Boundaries18,113 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
3.1Intended Use12201 Office building, 12519 Other industrial building
4Connection Points LocationWater – 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
5Access to the SiteFrom Wolf street via Foxbase street
6Geology – Soil Layers and Groundwater LevelSandy soil, groundwater level approx. 40.50
7Planned PavementsMostly asphalt pavement, some areas with street tiles and grass
8Project StagesMain project
9Architectural Plan, Building Section, and HeightRoof height +12.000
10Building Level 00 = 43.50
11Foundation and Floor SolutionsShallow foundation, piers + strip, floor on ground
12Building Facade SolutionWarehouse: SW panels, Office: SW + cement fiberboard + metal cassette
13Fire Resistance Class and Usage TypePVC windows in the warehouse, aluminum in office
14Evacuation Routes45 people
15Fences and Roof StructuresReinforced concrete posts and metal trusses, SBS roof
16Types of OpeningsPVC windows in the warehouse, aluminum in the office
17Required Environmental ClassesOutdoor C3
Building Areas
18.1Net Area7475.5 m2
18.2Heated Area7475.2 m2
18.3Roof Area3207 m2
Technical systems
19Building Heating Type and Source3 air-to-water heat pumps (3 x 16kW) + gas boiler 96 kW
20Required Building Heating Load43kW + hot water
21Building Ventilation Solution1 unit + 3 roof fans + 1 explosion-proof fan + 24 ceiling fans
22Pipeline LocationsGround heating across the entire property, other pipelines on the south side of the building
23Purification Equipment and Pump StationsOil separator E15/LM
24External and Internal Fire Suppression SystemExternal: existing hydrants, Internal: semi-rigid D33 mm hoses – dry system
25Smoke Removal System and Activation LevelNatural smoke vents and windows
26Building Cooling Requirement38 kW – 29 fan coils
27Technical Equipment LocationsBoiler room 2nd floor, ventilation chambers 2nd floor
28Main Distribution Board Location and Main Fuse Size3×160 A, distribution board located at the southern boundary of the plot
29Lighting SolutionExterior lighting on the facade and parking lot lighting on poles
30Weak Current Systems
31Required Special SystemsIrrigation water systems and tanks
32Fire Alarm and Security
33Building AutomationFire alarm + smoke removal
34Building Automation SystemComplete building automation solution
Internal design
35Ceiling, Wall, and Floor FinishesCarpet 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
36Ceiling Heights1st floor offices 2.7 m, 2nd floor offices 3 m
37Sanitary Equipment TypesAccording 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.