Preconstruction

Preconstruction modelling establishes price certainty and project coordination before a contract is ever awarded. By developing a fully connected 3D model early, we expose and resolve complex constructability conflicts while they are still inexpensive to fix, compressing your schedule.

Advanced material tracking and mill-order optimization.

Material Procurement

Model-driven fabrication data for early mill engagement, cost certainty, and coating optimization: A connected preconstruction model defines exact material requirements before contract award. This opens procurement options that are not available when quantities are estimated.

Known lengths and quantities allow bulk purchasing at better rates
Early engagement with steel mills improves availability and lead times
Accurate cut lengths reduce waste and ordering errors
Paint and coating quantities are calculated from real surface areas, not rules of thumb

LOD 400 MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND EMBEDDED FABRICATION DATA

Pre-Connected Models

Developing detailed LOD 400 structural models during the pre-tender stage integrates fully designed connections and embedded fabrication data early. Resolving these geometric and connection parameters prior to tender optimizes the construction model, allowing a direct transition into shop drawing production the day the contract is awarded.

Model Integration

Structural Assemblies: Primary and secondary framing members integrated with fully designed connections.
Volumetric Material Data: Definite tonnages, true member sizes, and comprehensive material breakdowns.
Hardware Specifications: Precise bolt counts, plate sizes, and explicit weld detail requirements.
Production-Ready Metrics: CNC-ready manufacturing data embedded directly within the model environment.
Constructability Audits: Systematic identification and digital resolution of structural conflicts before procurement.

Operational Advantages

Immediate Material Procurement: Mill orders can be placed on day one because exact lengths and material quantities are already locked in.
Compressed Production Schedules: Eliminates the standard multi-week detailing delay by providing a seamless hand-off to the shop floor.
Risk Mitigation: Drastically reduces downstream change orders and structural RFIs through rigorous pre-tender optimization.

Multi-trade model integration and interference resolution

BIM Coordination & Clash Detection

Integrating structural steel and mass timber models with all major building systems occurs within a unified, federated BIM environment. By resolving complex geometric conflicts digitally ahead of fabrication, this interdisciplinary clash detection eliminates cascading RFIs and expensive field remediation before they ever reach the jobsite.

Scope of Coordination

Structural Steel & Mass Timber: Full alignment of primary load-bearing framing.
MEP Systems: Integration of mechanical ductwork, electrical conduit, and plumbing layouts.
Precast Concrete & Rebar: Verification of connection embedments to prevent reinforcement conflicts.
Glazing & Curtain Wall: Coordination of precise attachment details and structural transitions.
Building Envelope: Management of enclosure interfaces to protect air and vapor barriers.

Core Deliverables

Federated Models: Fully synthesized, clash-free spatial models optimized for field reference.
Interference Reports: Comprehensive conflict documentation detailing exact resolution paths.
Constructability Reviews: Deep-dive evaluations to ensure connection accessibility and tool clearances.

Quantity takeoffs and trade contract reconciliation

Estimation & Bid Leveling

Delivering precise material breakdowns, accurate tonnages, and connection metrics directly from a coordinated model environment normalizes the bidding baseline at tender. This upfront precision ensures all competing fabricators price the exact same structural scope, eliminating baked-in risk premiums, reducing leveling timelines, and preventing downstream change orders.

Estimation Protocols

Definitive Material Takeoffs: Exact structural steel tonnages, mass timber volumes, and precise linear counts.
Connection & Hardware Metrics: Detailed assemblies, including bolt counts and weld volumes, to remove fabricator guesswork.
Scope Boundary Definition: Crystal-clear demarcation lines between trades to completely eliminate double-counting or missed scope.
Material Grade Optimization: Comprehensive sorting by specific steel grades and timber classifications for accurate mill-pricing.

Core Deliverables

Bid-Ready Quantity Reports: Granular, model-derived data sheets formatted for immediate integration into trade contract tenders.
Trade Reconciliation Matrices: Standardized frameworks to quickly level, evaluate, and compare competing fabricator submissions.
Constructability Risk Analysis: Early identification of high-cost detailing or erection details prior to contract award.

Critical schedule and logistical data

4D Planning & Sequencing

Mapping structural erection sequences phase by phase validates equipment access requirements and crane sequence planning before site mobilization. This proactive modelling is essential for highly constrained footprints, multi-phase delivery schedules, and complex structures where temporary bracing and erection stability are critical to site safety.

Sequencing Protocols

Chronological Phase Mapping: Step-by-step digital assembly linking the structural model directly to the master construction schedule.
Crane & Equipment Simulations: Virtual testing of crane placements, load capacities, swing radiuses, and boom clearances against site constraints.
Spatial Access Audits: Continuous validation of laydown areas, delivery truck staging, and equipment clearance pathways within tight urban footprints.
Temporary Bracing Evaluation: Analytical placement of guy cables, shoring towers, and temporary structural ties required during intermediate erection stages.

Core Deliverables

4D Visual Assembly Models: Animated, time-linked structural sequences demonstrating the exact order of erection for field crew alignment.
Site Logistics & Access Layouts: Coordinated site plans mapping equipment positions, maximum pick-radiuses, and structural staging zones.
Erection Stability Reports: Rigorous structural logs highlighting critical pick weights, stability milestones, and temporary shoring schedules.

STRATEGIC PROJECT DELIVERY

CROSS-TRADE ALIGNMENTS

Preconstruction modelling operates independently of standard shop-drawing production as a dedicated risk-mitigation stage deployed before fabrication contracts are finalized. By capturing maximum cost certainty, locking down delivery schedules, and resolving structural complexities early, this phase creates critical operational alignments across our core project partners:

General Contractors & Construction Managers

Objective: Establish complete cost certainty and absolute schedule control prior to committing major capital to a fabrication contract.

Owners & Real Estate Developers

Objective: Gain unrivaled visibility into early constructability, precise material budgeting, and complex cross-trade logistics.

Structural Fabricators

Objective: Eliminate the standard multi-week model-rework cycle upon contract award and transition immediately into production with verified data.

Operational Boundary: If your project has already transitioned into active procurement or shop-floor production, please refer to our dedicated Steel Detailing or Mass Timber Detailing services. Preconstruction is strictly engineered for the critical phase where design decisions directly impact financial and schedule risk.

Build for Scale.

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