Pre-construction planning is all about over-preparing to avoid unexpected situations that put the project’s budget, schedule and resources at risk. “Surprise!” is what you want to hear on your birthday, not during a retail construction project.
Issues outside of our control can always happen, such as a low stock on lighting fixtures or inclement weather. The key is to be flexible and have multiple solutions ready to go. Once equipped with experience and knowledge of retail construction, industry experts are proactive and realistic in the pre-construction plans to ensure every project is successfully executed.
To prepare for as many surprises as possible, here are a few critical tasks that all great pre-construction plans should include.
Determine the Program’s Unique Priorities
Every project or program is different when working in retail construction. Planning a project for a large retail store with high foot traffic may look very different from a retail channel installation or the refresh of a healthcare facility.
To determine the unique priorities of your program, consider the following questions:
- What level of communication do you expect with the general contractor?
- How strict is your budget?
- Are there other stakeholders or adjacent property owners that may be affected by the construction?
A general contractor’s job is to offer a pre-construction plan that will execute your vision within the allotted time and budget. Sometimes, the most comprehensive plan is over your initial budget, yet the contractor’s over-preparation and high-quality build will save you funds in the long run.
It is essential to discuss the unique circumstances or limitations of the project and enable the general contractor to create a customized and thorough pre-construction plan.
Identify Vulnerabilities
A new program or partnership may require a team of retail construction experts to meet and discuss the execution plan. By analyzing the existing location through an on-site visit or a 3D job site rendering, a dedicated team can then work on a custom pre-construction plan.
The key to a comprehensive plan is to have an open and honest discussion about the possible weaknesses and uncertainties.
Questions that an experienced team of experts may discuss include:
- Where will it be safe to direct foot traffic or road traffic?
- Where will the dumpsters be placed and what type of security/fencing is needed?
- What kind of barricades will we need to ensure the safety of staff and customers?
Even the best pre-construction plans cannot cover every issue that may arise. The measure of success of a general contractor is how well we can adapt to the unexpected changes.
Be Proactive and Realistic
The reality is that we cannot plan for everything, but we can be prepared for anything. To be as prepared as possible, some contractors include extra materials, support staff or time in the pre-construction plan. The additions may slightly increase the budget, but they also enable the construction team to handle unexpected issues with greater ease and may ultimately save money in the long run.
To anticipate and prevent potential problems, many contractors consider these questions:
- Are there supply chain issues causing the need to stock up on certain materials or reevaluate which materials are needed?
- Are all permits, approvals, lease agreements and other documents prepared and approved?
- Does the responsibility matrix include a realistic schedule for the team?
The responsibility matrix is the one of the most important elements to pre-construction planning. The matrix organizes tasks into a complex schedule, clearly labels who is responsible for each task, coordinates the schedule with vendors and ensures all elements are covered down to the last detail.
When negotiating your program, look for a meticulous responsibility matrix that demonstrates the general contractor’s ability to prepare and lead their team to a successful execution of a retail construction program.
Form a Qualified Team
Each individual working on a construction team matters. It’s important for team members to be well-qualified for their role and able to represent the general contractor and the retailer while on site.
When N-STORE Services puts a team together, it’s important for us to ask:
- Are the subcontractors up-to-date on job site training or in need of training?
- Will each subcontractor represent our team and the retailer in a respectful, professional manner while working in an open store environment?
- How will the responsibility of each individual be clearly communicated before the project begins and every day thereafter?
A great pre-construction plan will clearly communicate the responsibility matrix and ensure team members understand their role to help prevent injuries and lead an efficient, qualified construction team.
Ensure Every Program has a Comprehensive Pre-Construction Plan
The key to building an all-encompassing and scalable pre-construction plan is to partner with a national general contractor. N-STORE Services will create an efficient, comprehensive plan that leaves little room for surprises.
We prepare for as many issues as possible, so that you don’t have to worry. Our team successfully executes projects that meet our client’s standards and rise above their expectations because quality is one of our top priorities.
Connect with our experts at N-STORE Services today.
