Behind the Build: What Happens Before Groundbreaking?
When people think of construction, they picture a building going up, along with the equipment and crews that make it happen. But some of the most important work happens earlier, in conversations and planning sessions that help owners understand the process, explore options, and make informed decisions long before equipment ever arrives.
At Fiegen Construction, those early weeks are spent creating clarity and direction. They are where small details are carefully considered, good questions get asked, and potential challenges are worked through before they ever reach the jobsite.
Here’s a look at what’s really happening behind the scenes:
We focus on understanding how your team operates and what they need to do their best work. We care just as much about how the space feels and functions as how it looks, from the way people move through it to how they collaborate each day.
We’re stress-testing ideas early.
Concepts are reviewed with real-world construction in mind. Materials, layouts, and building systems are evaluated for durability, cost, and long-term value. Addressing potential conflicts early supports smarter, more efficient design choices.
We’re aligning the right people.
We bring owners, designers, and engineers together early to align expectations, communication styles, and priorities, creating a team that makes confident decisions and keeps projects running smoothly.
We’re building certainty into the numbers.
Estimating isn’t just about a final price. It is about understanding where flexibility exists, where it does not, and how to protect your investment. Trade partners are vetted, scopes are clarified, and schedules are pressure-tested so there are fewer surprises once work begins.
We’re planning for the realities of the site.
Access points, material deliveries, safety logistics, neighboring properties, and operational disruptions are all considered long before crews mobilize. These details rarely make headlines, but they make a big difference in how smoothly a project runs.
This early work brings direction to the process and helps eliminate many of the unknowns before construction begins. It allows owners to make informed decisions, protect their investment, and move forward with greater confidence.
As we look ahead to a busy spring season, we are putting in the work this winter behind the build by aligning teams and refining plans now so projects can progress smoothly in the months ahead.
Lucas Fiegen, President
Fiegen Construction
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