The day excavation begins might feel like the start of a custom home, but much of the work that determines how smoothly the project will go has already happened.
Good pre-construction is about answering important questions before they become expensive questions in the field.
Understand the Property
The property can influence the location and orientation of the house, foundation design, driveway, utilities, drainage, excavation, and ultimately the construction budget.
Before designing the home, we need to understand where it will be built.
Early site planning considers:
Topography, drainage, and access
Water, sewer or septic, power, and other utilities
Building location, views, and orientation
Excavation and other significant site requirements
For a straightforward lot, this process may be relatively simple. More challenging properties may require considerably more planning before the home itself can be finalized.
Design the Home and Establish the Budget
Design and budget should develop together.
As the floor plan and architecture take shape, we also consider how the home will actually be constructed and what the major design decisions mean for cost.
This is one of the advantages of connecting design and construction from the beginning. Rather than completing a design and discovering afterward that it doesn't align with the budget, decisions can be evaluated while there is still an opportunity to make thoughtful changes.
Engineering, Permitting & Selections
Once the design is established, the project moves into the technical work required to make it buildable.
Structural engineering is completed, construction documents are developed, and the plans are submitted for the necessary permits.
At the same time, we can begin working ahead on decisions that will eventually affect construction:
Windows, doors, and exterior materials
Cabinets, appliances, and major fixtures
Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical requirements
Materials with longer lead times
Not every finish needs to be selected before excavation starts. The goal is to make sure decisions stay ahead of the construction schedule rather than waiting until the field needs an answer.
Prepare for Construction
Before equipment arrives, the plans, budget, schedule, site logistics, materials, crews, and subcontractors need to be coordinated.
By the time we break ground, we should have a clear answer to three fundamental questions:
What are we building?
What is it going to cost?
How are we going to build it?
There will always be decisions and problem-solving during construction, but good pre-construction gives the entire project a clear direction before work begins.
Planning a Custom Home in the Walla Walla Valley?
At Handley Construction & Development, we bring design, budgeting, and construction together from the beginning so each project can develop as one coordinated process.
You don't need to have everything figured out before starting the conversation. That's what the process is for.
