The Three Pillars of AP's Preconstruction Approach

By David Grandstaff, Vice President of Preconstruction & Estimating, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Midwest

Customer Service: A Client-Centric Approach

AP’s approach to preconstruction is straightforward – we prioritize your needs above all else. Our customer service is centered on clear communication, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to understanding your vision. This client-centric approach goes beyond simple planning. It’s a collaborative process that turns your vision into a thorough, actionable plan tailored to your priorities.

  • Transparency and Informed Decisions: We believe in empowering you, the client. During preconstruction, we present all options, allowing you to make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of every project detail.
  • Collaboration from the Start: Preconstruction is a team effort. We bring together all stakeholders to foster open communication from the project’s inception. This aligns everyone with project goals and prevents miscommunication.

Mitigating Risks: Ensuring Success

During every preconstruction stage, we proactively search for potential obstacles and risks. These may include unforeseen increases in lumber or steel costs, extended lead times for materials, and/or unexpected changes to the project scope. We aim to maintain price stability throughout your project, even in volatile markets.

We recognize that budgets can fluctuate during preconstruction, which is why we proactively identify and address potential challenges before they arise. By offering cost-saving solutions and maintaining transparent communication, we ensure your project stays on track. We see the budget as a shared responsibility and take pride in sharing accurate and valuable information.

Our commitment to mitigating risks translates into real benefits for our clients, addressing financial, quality, and job site safety concerns. By proactively managing these risks, we help safeguard your investment and ensure a secure work environment. Here’s how:

  • Scope Creep & Financial Risk: Our team is aware of construction cost fluctuations in real time. During preconstruction, we use this knowledge to manage risks proactively. Our meticulous estimating approach considers every detail to minimize scope creep, the leading cause of budget overruns. As stewards of your budget, we focus on efficient resource allocation and identifying cost-saving measures.
  • Safety First: Safety is paramount. Preconstruction allows for early identification and mitigation of safety hazards, creating a safer work environment for everyone involved. This proactive approach protects lives and reduces the risk of costly delays due to accidents.
  • Quality Matters: We deliver high-quality projects. Preconstruction allows us to identify potential quality risks based on experience and industry trends. By proactively addressing constructability concerns early and often, we ensure the final product meets the highest standards the first time.

Meticulous Approach: The AP Advantage

At AP, preconstruction is fundamental to project success. With nearly 80 years of experience, we know success starts with open communication. We work hand-in-hand with you to ensure alignment with project goals.

Our meticulous approach takes planning a step further. The more we dig into details, the greater our understanding of your project. This translates to accuracy and minimizes surprises down the line. We proactively assess and mitigate potential challenges through risk evaluation. Additionally, our design-driven estimating software leverages 3D modeling, which provides real-time cost insights, allowing you to instantly see the impact of design changes on elements such as walls, floors, and fixtures. This saves valuable time and resources for everyone involved.

By partnering with AP during the preconstruction stage, you gain more than just a plan; you gain a collaborative roadmap to achieve your vision. We prioritize clear communication, transparent decision-making, and unwavering focus on your goals. Together, we can navigate unforeseen challenges, mitigate risks, and ensure your project is delivered on time, within budget, and with an unwavering commitment to safety and quality.

David Grandstaff

As AP’s Vice President of Preconstruction & Estimating in the Midwest, David Grandstaff leads the preconstruction and estimating department, manages department resources and develops personnel while developing strong, lasting subcontractor relationships. He has more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry where he has developed a commitment to process mapping and process experience.

David develops and executes strategies that ensure consistency and best practices are utilized throughout the preconstruction process and planning and activities are aligned with our clients’ strategic goals, scope and budget. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

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