Pre-Construction: Where Great Projects Really Begin

Pre-construction might not be the glamorous part of a project. There are no cranes in the air, no freshly laid oak floors, and no satisfying “before and after” shots. But this is the stage where projects are won or lost. Get the groundwork right, and everything that follows falls neatly into place. Get it wrong… and you could be six months in, still waiting for your dream home to exist anywhere other than on paper.

Let’s break it down.

Pick the Right Contract (and Know What It Means)

We often say choosing your contract is a bit like choosing the right tool for the job – you wouldn’t use a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame.

For prime residential projects, there are two main routes:

• ICD (Intermediate with Contractor’s Design): Great if we’re taking responsibility for specialist design elements like joinery or MEP (that’s your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing).
• SBC (Standard Building Contract): Best suited when the client’s design team takes the lead and we handle the build.

Your choice here shapes how risk, responsibility, and collaboration play out. Pick the one that fits your vision – and your comfort zone.

Build the Team Before You Build the House

Before anyone orders a skip or books a digger, get everyone around the same table – client, architect, principal designer, contractor, consultants.

When roles are clear from the start, things run smoothly. Misunderstandings cost time and money. Clarity costs nothing (and saves a fortune later).

Planning: The Silent Deal-Breaker

Ask anyone who’s ever built a home – planning can make or break a project. Whether it’s listed-building consent, neighbour objections, or the unexpected discovery of a bat family (it happens more often than you think), early engagement with local authorities and consultants is key.

The more proactive you are now, the fewer sleepless nights you’ll have later.

Risk Management: Keep It Live and Real

We keep a live risk register throughout every project – not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a genuine tool to stay ahead of issues before they snowball.

From utility diversions to ecology surveys and supply chain constraints, naming the risks early means we can manage them properly. Think of it as a sat-nav for your project – it keeps you on the right route, even if there’s traffic ahead.

Procurement: Match the Method to the Mission

Tender or negotiate? The right answer depends on your chosen contract and project goals.

Our approach is always about balance – maintaining high quality, predictable costs, and realistic timelines. No nasty surprises. No hidden extras. Just a well-planned journey from paper to reality.

The Bottom Line

Pre-construction isn’t the most exciting part of the process, but it’s the bit that makes everything else possible.

At ALCo Group, we don’t rush it – we get it right. Because when the groundwork is solid, the build that follows is smoother, faster, and far less stressful for everyone involved.

After all, great homes don’t start with bricks. They start with a plan.