Our preconstruction service is central to our commitment in adding value by finding and delivering best solutions for our clients.

Preconstruction services provide our clients with a defined/methodical approach for developing scope, cost and program prior to the execution of capital projects.

Historically, preconstruction involves preliminary planning and engineering in order to define the project, identify potential issues, and analyse cost impacts. The benefits of defining the project scope, schedule and cost as early as possible with the most efficient use of resources and funds is key to any viable project. Our Preconstruction services ultimately help our clients to determine if the projects viability.

In order to accurately undertake the preconstruction services it’s essential to understand the our clients requirements for the project. Thereafter Vanguard will prepare a detailed preconstruction Scope of Service to ensure that all deliverables and associated time frame can be agreed.

This scope will cover:

Our preconstruction service provides a number of benefits for our clients, most importantly and in conjunction with our Feasibility and/or Due Diligence services allow our clients to make informed decisions about the project, size, scale, timeline, cost, risk etc. with minimal financial expenditure.

This service can usually be undertaken, dependent on complexity of the Project within a 4-8 week period. Shorter reduced scope/solutions can be provided dependent on clients requirements. Vanguard can provide a fixed fee for this scope or reimbursed based on agreed weekly/monthly rates for the key resources.

Benefits of the Vanguard Preconstruction Process.
Our historic efforts have had a significant impact on the overall project, scope definition, method of procurement and contractual forms, as well as saving our clients significant time and money. Since the scope, cost and program for the project is correctly set upfront; we can reduce the number of changes, unexpected costs and time related variations during the project.

There's a whole range of unique issues we can address. Some of the most common include:

The preconstruction process is ideal for projects that are not well defined, or projects that have complex design and functionality.

Procurement Methodologies

Procurement methodologies can significantly impact how development projects are designed, financed, constructed, used. The three main procurement strategies are traditional, design-build and management-based with significant variants across all 3 types of methods and numerous contract forms which can be utilised. Vanguard can assist and ensure that the correct method of procurement is identified early on in the process and dovetail this in conjunction with the preconstruction process.

Traditional: involves the contractor undertaking to build in accordance with designs provided by the employer (and his design team).

Design and build: the contractor both designs (or completes the design) and builds according to the employer’s requirements. This allows the contractor to use its experience to reduce the cost of the construction, without impacting the value to the client.

Management based: instead of a main contractor, there is a management contractor who is responsible for the co-ordination and management of the actual work of construction which is carried out by subcontractors and specialists.

The best or most appropriate procurement method will depend upon the nature and scope of the work proposed, the clients appetite or aversion of risks, who has the responsibility for design, how the work is to be coordinated, and on what price basis the contract is to be awarded.

Vanguard has extensive experience across all 3 major forms of procurement and variants thereof and can assist and recommend the best procurement strategy and form of contract to be used across specific projects based on the level of control required by the client, timescale and appetite for risk. variants can include full lump sum contracts, remeasurable contracts time and cost reimbursement as well as variants on single stage and two stage methods of main contractor and key subcontractor procurement/engagement.