Pre-Construction: Where Projects Are Won or Lost

A solid pre-construction phase sets the tone for the entire build, shaping timelines, budgets, and the client experience.

While it may not come with dramatic site photos or steel rising from the ground, this stage is where expectations are defined, risks are managed, and the foundations of trust are built. Get it right, and everything that follows runs seamlessly. Get it wrong, and even the most beautifully designed project can quickly lose direction.

Choosing the Right Contract

Selecting the right contract is like choosing the right foundation — everything rests on it. For prime residential work, understanding where design responsibility sits is key.

• Intermediate Contract with Contractor’s Design (ICD): Ideal when ALCO is taking ownership of specific design elements, such as MEP or bespoke joinery.
• Standard Building Contract (SBC): Best suited when the client’s design team leads, and we’re executing their vision.

The right structure aligns risk, accountability, and procurement — setting clear expectations for everyone involved.

Collaboration from Day One

Early collaboration is one of the defining features of an ALCO project. Bringing together the client, architect, principal designer, and key consultants at the outset ensures alignment from the start. When every discipline is working towards the same objective before we’re even on site, we create efficiency, clarity, and confidence.

Planning Ahead, Always

In the world of prime residential, planning is rarely straightforward. Conservation areas, neighbour consultations, and environmental surveys can all introduce complexity. Early engagement with local authorities and specialist consultants helps us navigate these challenges proactively — protecting both programme and budget.

Managing Risk with Precision

At ALCO, risk management isn’t a tick-box exercise; it’s a live, evolving process. From utilities and logistics to specialist availability, we identify, track, and mitigate risks throughout the pre-construction phase. This attention to detail ensures surprises are minimised and outcomes remain predictable.

Procurement that Supports the Vision

Every procurement approach should complement the chosen contract. Whether through competitive tender or negotiated appointment, our focus is on balancing cost certainty with uncompromised quality and design integrity.

At ALCO group, we know that great builds are defined long before construction begins.

Pre-construction is where precision meets foresight — and where exceptional projects truly take shape.