Pre-Construction Readiness Checklist

You cannot price a project on a site you do not control.

• Site secured Ownership closed or a signed lease in hand.
• Restrictions understood Easements, deed restrictions, and any landlord work-letter terms reviewed.
• Survey available A current survey, or knowledge of how to get one.

Money in place, with a timeline the schedule can work around.

• Funding source set You know where the money is coming from.
• Draw schedule understood You know what the lender needs to see and when.

A working idea of what you are building, even before finished drawings.

• Building type and size Square footage, number of units or rooms, and building type.
• Existing condition known The current state of any space you are renovating.
• Finish level in mind A sense of how finished the space needs to be.

Whatever documentation exists, and who is producing the rest.

• Existing documents gathered Concept sketch, permit drawings, floor plan, or photos of current conditions.
• Design team decided An architect or engineer hired, or a plan for how the design gets done.

A number you can defend, with room for the unknowns.

• Budget range set A realistic range, not a wish.
• Soft costs included Design fees, permits, testing, insurance, and financing costs accounted for.
• Contingency carried Money set aside for the surprises every project surfaces.

The real driver behind your deadline.

• Deadline driver named A lease open date, a brand deadline, or another concrete driver, not just as soon as possible.
• Permitting time planned Plan review and inspection time treated as a real part of the schedule.

Someone with authority to keep the project moving.

• Decision-maker identified One person with authority to make timely calls during the build.
• Turnaround understood A realistic sense of how fast decisions can be made, since delays slip schedules.