Story by: Ferrara Editor
April 11, 2025
There’s a common phrase we use at Ferrara Buist: “Projects succeed or fail before you even break ground.” Suppose you’re planning a major build – whether commercial, industrial, or specialty development – you’re undoubtedly focused on the result. But the truth is, most projects run into trouble long before the first shovel hits the dirt.
After decades of managing complex construction projects across South Carolina and North Carolina, we’ve identified the biggest pre-construction pitfalls. Luckily for you, we’re sharing them today.
One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the real cost of your project. A surprising number of developers use general cost-per-square-foot estimates without considering site-specific factors, local permitting costs, or material volatility. The result? Budget overruns and stressful project delays.
How to avoid this: Engage your contractor early. At Ferrara Buist, we emphasize pre-construction budgeting that accounts for every possible contingency – material price fluctuations, local labor availability, regulatory challenges and unexpected environmental factors.
No two pieces of land are the same, especially in coastal markets like Charleston. Unfortunately, too many developers assume a “standard” build, neglecting critical site assessments. Overlooking soil conditions, flood risks, historical or archaeological constraints and zoning restrictions can often lead to serious setbacks mid-project.
How to avoid this: Conduct thorough site assessments early. This includes geotechnical surveys, environmental impact studies, flood zone analysis and historical reviews. At Ferrara Buist, our early site analyses have saved clients months and big bucks in potential delays and costs.
Permitting is famously frustrating, yet many underestimate its complexity. Building codes and local ordinances can be daunting and vary widely across jurisdictions. Miscalculating approval timelines can lead to stalled projects, contractual penalties and increased costs from extended pre-construction phases.
How to avoid this: Partner with a builder who understands local processes inside-out. Our team has spent years mastering regulatory navigation, ensuring smooth permitting by starting the paperwork early and maintaining constant communication with local authorities.
Too often, project owners or developers separate design and construction teams completely. This traditional siloed approach limits collaboration, creating gaps that cause miscommunications, costly redesigns, and late-stage adjustments.
How to avoid this: Use a Design-Assist-Build approach. Integrating your design and construction teams early reduces mistakes and improves overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Ferrara Buist’s design-assist strategy limits common issues like over-engineered designs, impractical material choices and misaligned budgets.
Poor stakeholder communication is another frequent cause of trouble. Without clear and consistent communication between investors, architects, engineers and contractors, important details fall through the cracks, leading to expensive changes and timeline disruptions.
How to avoid this: Establish clear communication channels and schedules from the outset. Our projects employ structured communication plans, weekly check-ins and centralized digital platforms, ensuring every stakeholder is consistently updated and aligned.
Too often, builders and developers focus solely on short-term costs without considering long-term implications. A building that’s cheaper to construct initially may carry higher ongoing costs due to maintenance or energy inefficiencies. In construction, you really do get what you pay for.
How to avoid this: Engage your contractor in discussions around sustainability and lifecycle cost analysis during pre-construction. Ferrara Buist helps clients evaluate materials, energy-efficient solutions and design choices that balance initial investments with long-term savings and reduced operational expenses.
Many projects run into trouble because their initial schedules are unrealistic. Whether it’s an overly ambitious timeline or local construction complications, unrealistic schedules lead to rushed jobs, mistakes and delayed occupancy.
How to avoid this: Collaborate closely with your contractor on schedule development. Experienced builders know the nuances of sequencing work, accounting for local weather patterns, seasonal demands, material delivery timelines and subcontractor availability. Ferrara Buist’s project schedules include realistic buffers and contingency plans to ensure dependable completion dates.
Avoiding costly pre-construction mistakes means bringing your builders on board early and ensuring they’re active participants, not just passive recipients. At Ferrara Buist, our reputation isn’t just built on quality construction – it’s built on strategic thinking, proactive planning and rigorous communication from the start.
Understanding your project’s unique challenges and opportunities, we help mitigate risks, minimize surprises and set your project up for success well before breaking ground.
Ready to avoid the headaches and mistakes that derail too many builds? Reach out – we’d love to talk about your next project.
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