Engaging with a contractor during a PCSA can be helpful around costings and resolving issues with design
Engagement with a contractor while the design is being developed can seem premature, however it is in everyone’s interest to have early engagement into this process.
A contractor will bring a fresh pair of eyes and expertise from a technical and delivery perspective.
This will inevitably influence the design to some degree and encourage an open, collaborative approach which should, in turn, lead to a far more thought-out, considered and better designed building.
A contractor should bring many years of experience in delivering similar projects and should have seen the successes and failures of specific strategies, design, sequencing and detailing.
The PCSA can trigger a two-stage tendering period, a method of procurement where the employer seeks to appoint a contractor at an initial stage of the project based on an outline scope of work.
There is then a second stage when the employer seeks to appoint a contractor for the construction works under a building contract.
A PCSA gives the client/developer full insight into the costs based on the early design of outline information, as well as developing it against the cost plan going forward