Preconstruction Services: 5 Powerful Strategies That Save 20% on Construction

Professional preconstruction services deliver exceptional value through systematic planning and optimization. Value engineering sounds like a euphemism for “making things cheaper,” but when executed through quality preconstruction services, it’s actually about optimizing value—getting the best possible result for your investment. Here’s how it works and why it matters for every construction project.

What Value Engineering Actually Is

Value engineering (VE) is a systematic process of reviewing project designs and specifications to identify opportunities for cost reduction without sacrificing function, quality, or performance. The key word is “function”—VE asks “what does this element need to do?” and then finds the most cost-effective way to accomplish that specific function through expert preconstruction services.

This approach differs fundamentally from simple cost-cutting. While cost-cutting often reduces quality to reduce price, value engineering maintains or even improves quality while finding more efficient solutions. Professional preconstruction services make this optimization possible before construction begins, delivering powerful results.

According to the Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE), properly implemented value engineering through comprehensive preconstruction services typically achieves 10-25% cost savings while maintaining or improving project performance.

Real-World Value Engineering Examples

Understanding value engineering theory is important, but seeing it in practice through quality preconstruction services makes the concept clear. Here are specific examples from actual projects:

Structural Systems Optimization

Maybe steel framing was specified in the original design, but pre-engineered metal building components can accomplish the same structural goals at significantly lower cost. Or perhaps different foundation approaches reduce cost without compromising building performance—discoveries made during professional preconstruction services.

One recent project reduced structural costs by 22% by switching from conventionally-framed steel to a pre-engineered system discovered during preconstruction services. The building performed identically, but material costs and erection time both decreased substantially.

Mechanical Systems Through Preconstruction Services

A VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system might provide better efficiency than the specified conventional HVAC system while costing less to install. Or maybe the building orientation can be optimized to reduce heating and cooling loads before selecting equipment—insights gained through thorough preconstruction services.

Effective construction management during preconstruction identifies these opportunities early. Once ductwork is designed and specified, changing systems becomes expensive and disruptive.

Finishes and Materials

Perhaps a less expensive material achieves the same visual impact as a premium option. Or maybe standard sizes instead of custom dimensions reduce fabrication costs without affecting aesthetics or function—opportunities identified through expert preconstruction services.

One commercial project saved $85,000 by specifying readily-available door sizes instead of custom dimensions during preconstruction services. The visual result was identical, but lead times shortened and costs dropped dramatically.

Site Work Optimization

Alternative stormwater management approaches, optimized grading plans, or different paving strategies can yield significant savings in site development without compromising drainage or functionality when evaluated during professional preconstruction services.

A design build contractor with site development experience can model multiple approaches during preconstruction, comparing costs and performance before committing to a specific solution.

When Preconstruction Services Work Best

Preconstruction services are most effective after design concepts are established but before construction documents are finalized. At this stage, changes are relatively inexpensive to implement and deliver maximum value.

Once drawings are complete and permits are pulled, changes become costly. Documentation must be revised, permits may need amendments, and materials already ordered might need cancellation. Once construction starts, changes become very expensive. The earlier preconstruction services happen, the more value they can deliver to your project.

The Construction Executive magazine reports that changes made during preconstruction services cost approximately 1% of their value to implement, while the same changes during construction can cost 10-50% of their value in change order premiums and schedule impacts.

The Preconstruction Services Advantage

Professional preconstruction services create the essential window for effective value engineering. This critical phase includes:

• Detailed review of design documents for constructability through preconstruction services
• Identification of cost reduction opportunities during thorough analysis
• Analysis of alternative materials and methods by experienced professionals
• Coordination with design team on proposed changes discovered during preconstruction services
• Pricing verification and cost modeling for accurate budgeting

When construction management begins early with comprehensive preconstruction services, these reviews happen before expensive commitments are made.

Value Engineering vs. Cheapening: Understanding the Difference

There’s a critical difference between value engineering through professional preconstruction services and simply making things cheaper. VE maintains function and quality while reducing cost. Cheapening reduces quality to reduce cost—a dangerous shortcut.

A design build contractor committed to your project’s success will offer VE suggestions through preconstruction services that don’t compromise your goals—and will push back against cost-cutting that sacrifices what matters most.

Warning Signs of Cheapening

Watch for these red flags that indicate cheapening rather than true value engineering through legitimate preconstruction services:

• Suggestions that reduce specified performance levels without proper analysis
• Material substitutions that don’t meet original design intent or quality standards
• Elimination of features without discussion of functional impact
• Cost savings that compromise long-term durability and performance
• Changes proposed without thorough analysis of functional implications

True preconstruction services with value engineering improve the cost-to-value ratio. Cheapening simply reduces cost while hoping you won’t notice reduced value or compromised quality.

Getting Preconstruction Services Into Your Project

Ask your contractor about their value engineering process during preconstruction services. How do they identify opportunities? How do they evaluate alternatives? What VE successes can they share from previous projects utilizing professional preconstruction services?

The best construction managers approach every project looking for ways to deliver more value through comprehensive preconstruction services—it’s built into their process, not an afterthought. They should be able to explain their systematic approach to reviewing designs and identifying opportunities.

Questions to Ask About Preconstruction Services

When evaluating contractors’ capabilities in preconstruction services, ask these specific questions:

• Can you provide examples of value engineering savings from recent preconstruction services?
• At what point in the project timeline do you conduct VE reviews during preconstruction services?
• How do you ensure VE suggestions maintain design intent through your preconstruction services?
• Who participates in your preconstruction services process—just estimators, or also field personnel?
• How do you document and present VE options for owner consideration during preconstruction services?

At Bowser Construction Group, our comprehensive preconstruction services include systematic value engineering reviews. We examine every major building system and component, looking for opportunities to optimize value without compromising your project goals.

Maximizing Benefits from Preconstruction Services

To get the most from value engineering, engage your contractor early for professional preconstruction services. The earlier these services begin, the more opportunities exist for meaningful cost optimization and project improvement.

Share your priorities clearly during preconstruction services. If certain features or quality levels are non-negotiable, say so. This allows the team to focus VE efforts where flexibility exists rather than proposing changes you’ll reject.

According to research from the Construction Industry Institute, early contractor involvement through comprehensive preconstruction services delivers average project savings of 6-8% through value engineering and constructability reviews.

Moving Forward with Preconstruction Services

Value engineering through professional preconstruction services represents one of the most powerful tools available during project planning. When implemented by experienced professionals, it reduces costs substantially while maintaining—or even improving—project quality and performance.

Whether you’re planning a commercial construction project or an industrial facility, professional preconstruction services with integrated value engineering should be part of your process. The savings typically far exceed the cost of these early planning services.

Want to learn more about how preconstruction services could benefit your next project? Contact our team to discuss your specific needs and discover opportunities for cost optimization without compromise.

Explore our comprehensive approach to design-build construction, where value engineering through expert preconstruction services is integrated throughout the entire process.