Pre-Construction planning at Sun Construction

What to Expect in the Pre-Construction Phase: A Guide for Colorado Business Owners

At Sun Construction, we believe that a successful project starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. As a full-service general contractor based in Longmont, Colorado, we’ve spent over 40 years partnering with business owners across the state to deliver technically complex builds in industry sectors like life sciences, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, government, and high-tech. 

Our pre-construction phase sets the foundation for seamless integration, cost certainty, and business continuity. Whether you’re planning a cutting-edge facility or expanding your existing operations, our collaborative approach helps you make informed decisions from day one.

👉 Read more about our 40+ year journey as a trusted Colorado general contractor.

Informed Decision-Making From Day One

Our pre-construction services are designed to empower owners and architects with reliable information. From the earliest stages, Sun Construction provides the data and guidance necessary to align design goals, costs, and schedules with your business objectives. We work alongside your team to identify potential challenges, mitigate risks, and ensure your project moves forward with clarity and confidence.

👉 Explore our Expertise to see how we support projects across sectors like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, government, high-tech, and special projects.

Preconstruction & Estimating

During this phase, our focus is on accuracy and transparency. We collaborate with owners and design teams to:

  • Achieve desired design cost goals — balancing function, aesthetics, and budget.
  • Develop a realistic, effective schedule that aligns with your operational needs.
  • Select and release required equipment to avoid any costly delays.

Our estimating team uses up-to-date market data and decades of experience to provide a clear picture of project costs and timelines. This ensures decisions are made with full awareness of financial and logistical impacts.

Pre-Planning and Scheduling

Our team builds a detailed roadmap for your project. This includes:

  • Establishing key milestones and deliverables
  • Identifying jurisdictional requirements
  • Coordinating with authorities and stakeholders early
  • Identifying long lead items for early release

By mapping out the process in advance, we help prevent delays and streamline approvals.

Estimating, Budgeting, and Value Engineering

Sun Construction brings value-focused solutions without compromising quality. We provide:

  • Detailed cost estimates at each design phase 
  • Budget tracking tools to monitor alignment
  • Value engineering recommendations to optimize design and materials
  • Constructability reviews

Our client-centric approach ensures cost savings where appropriate—without sacrificing performance or design intent.

👉 Discover why Colorado businesses choose Sun — our adaptable, expert team combines advanced technology, clean building practices, and creative problem-solving to navigate even the most complex projects with confidence.

Sustainability and Long Lead Item Analysis

Building for the future means planning for sustainability and supply chain realities. Our team evaluates:

  • Opportunities for sustainable design integration
  • Impacts of long lead time materials or equipment
  • Alternative solutions to mitigate delays

This proactive analysis ensures your project remains on schedule while meeting your sustainability goals.

Subcontractor Pre-Qualification

We ensure that only the most qualified, dependable subcontractors are invited to bid. Our pre-qualification process assesses:

  • Safety records (EMR)
  • Technical capability
  • Stability
  • Bonding capacities

This rigorous selection process protects your investment and ensures high-quality work across all trades.

Bid Package Development & Jurisdictional Authority Review

Sun Construction develops clear, comprehensive bid packages that:

  • Reduce risk of scope gaps or misunderstandings
  • Facilitate competitive, apples-to-apples bids

We also manage early reviews with jurisdictional authorities to address code compliance, permitting, and regulatory concerns up front.

Disruption Avoidance Planning

For occupied sites or sensitive operations, we develop plans to:

  • Minimize impact on day-to-day business
  • Sequence work to reduce noise, dust, and access disruptions
  • Communicate clearly with stakeholders throughout
  • Provide comprehensive temporary protection to sensitive equipment

This level of planning safeguards your business continuity while construction progresses.

Let’s Build Together

If you’re planning a new facility or renovation in Colorado, we’re ready to guide you through every step of the pre-construction process. Contact our team to discuss your project or visit our About page to learn more about our commitment to innovation, quality, and client-focused solutions.