Let’s explore why performing pre-construction due diligence prior to the acquisition of a site or proceeding towards construction is critical.
We’ve heard it all before:
- “Do your homework.”
- “Measure twice….cut once.”
- “A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
- “Hindsight is 20/20”
- “Snooze, you lose.”
My father didn’t author any of those lines, but he said them so often I thought he might have. And quite frequently, I can still hear his voice in my head giving me such sage counseling. But it was more than fatherly advice; it was sound advice that helped prepare me for the world of design and construction; as he would say: “Always be prepared.” He never used the term “due diligence;” but I knew what he meant.
Now that I’m all grown up, his words seem even more to the point. Performing pre-construction due diligence prior to the acquisition of a site or proceeding towards construction is critical. You need to protect your interests and investments of time and money, and the best way to accomplish that is to assess potential risks in every
development venture.
It may sound like a simple task, but it is a complex process to identify and analyze the risks and arrive at sound and level-headed solutions to obstacles that may arise. After that, you’ll need to address and mitigate each through the planning and construction processes. If the obstacles appear too great, or reveal other issues that verge on being unsurmountable, it may be a good time to rethink and retool the project.
Pre-Construction Due diligence must be done for every project, no matter how big or small…be it single family home or multifamily housing, commercial, office or retail, educational or worship, healthcare or hospitality, industrial or government. So, before you take that leap and make the decision to proceed with a site and/or building project, take the time and effort to perform the investigation and assess if it (and its context) are suitable for a particular project, and if it is in balance with the other various risks involved.
Thorough pre-construction due diligence is critical to your project…from the selection of the site, to the designer and builder, delivery method and materials, to compliance, financial assessments and budget. Nothing can place you on a better course than proper pre-construction due diligence. It’s just as my dad said: “measure twice, cut once.”
Paul Stridick, AIA is Director of Design/Build at The Bannett Group. He is an award-winning architect that also has extensive government experience. Prior to joining TBG, Paul was the Director of Community Development for Cherry Hill Township, NJ, a 26-square mile suburban community in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Before that, he was the Director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources for New Jersey’s Dept. of Community Affairs. His last article “IS THERE AN EASIER WAY TO GET SOMETHING BUILT?” was published on WCRE’s blog in August 2017.
The Bannett Group is a South Jersey firm that was founded in 1970. Since then, we’ve become one of the fastest growing design and construction firms in the region, with a portfolio of work that spans the country. The Bannett Group always views our design & construction services as a set of tools available to complete each job. We’ll pick the best tool or delivery method for each job…general contracting, construction management or even a fully integrated Design-Build package. Whatever the tool, we get the job done. With our steadfast history and fine-tuned in-house talent, we’re able to complete each project on time…on budget…every time.
