In the fast-paced world of commercial construction, constructability is the difference between a project that runs smoothly and one that’s riddled with delays, rework, and cost overruns. At Contour Construction, we don’t just build — we construct with purpose. Every bolt, beam, and barrier is evaluated with a critical eye to ensure maximum efficiency, safety, and value. But what exactly is constructability, why does it matter so much, and how does Contour lead the charge in delivering peak constructability.
What Is Constructability?
Constructability (sometimes called “buildability”) is the practice of reviewing and optimizing a project’s design, materials, schedule, and construction methods before the first shovel hits the ground. It’s about ensuring the plans on paper translate into a seamless, safe, and cost-effective build in the real world.
This involves:
- Identifying potential design conflicts or inefficiencies.
- Planning for real-world jobsite conditions.
- Sequencing work to maximize productivity and reduce risk.
- Engaging construction experts early in the design phase.
Why Constructability Matters
Constructability is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for high-performing commercial construction. Here’s why:
1. Fewer Cost Overruns and Change Orders
Design decisions that seem perfect on paper may fail in practice. Without constructability review, rework and costly change orders are inevitable.
2. Accelerated Schedules
Constructible projects reduce delays caused by field clashes or material handling inefficiencies. With clear, buildable plans, your project moves faster.
3. Safer Job Sites
When construction sequencing and site logistics are well-planned, crews work more efficiently and safely, reducing risk and incidents.
4. Higher Quality Results
A constructible design ensures that quality isn’t left to field improvisation. Clear, workable plans lead to consistent craftsmanship and long-term performance.
5. Better Owner Satisfaction
Owners experience fewer surprises, better communication, and greater control over cost, quality, and timeline.
The Critical Window Most Owners Miss
Here’s the truth: constructability isn’t typically included in traditional competitive bidding. In a standard bid-build model, the owner hires an architect to fully design the project and only then sends it out to contractors for pricing. By the time the builder sees the plans, the opportunity for real-time collaboration, design input, and constructability review is gone.
That missed window is where most problems start.
The result?
- Beautiful designs that don’t account for construction sequencing.
- Material choices that create long lead times.
- Layouts that are difficult or expensive to build.
When the contractor is brought in late, they’re limited to reacting — not proactively contributing to the success of the project.
Adapted from: Constructability – A Primer, Construction Industry Institute (CII), Control 4 Report.
How to Protect Constructability: The Right Contract Matters
If you want constructability baked into your project from day one, the solution lies in choosing a contract model that supports it. Two proven approaches stand out:
1. Design-Build Contracts
In this structure, you hire a single entity (like Contour Construction) to handle both the design and construction. This eliminates finger-pointing and allows the field team to influence design decisions in real time, ensuring feasibility, cost-efficiency, and speed.
Contour excels in Design-Build because we bridge the gap between concept and construction — integrating real-world know-how with creative solutions.
2. Construction Management (CM) Contracts
With a CM contract, Contour comes on board during the design phase to advise on constructability, value engineering, scheduling, and budgeting. We act as your advocate, working alongside your architect to ensure the project is buildable and financially sound from the outset.
CM is ideal when you already have a preferred design team but want the benefits of early contractor involvement and collaborative delivery.
How Contour Construction Delivers Peak Constructability
At Contour, constructability isn’t a checkbox — it’s core to how we operate. Here’s how we lead the way:
Early Involvement in Design
We collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients to spot inefficiencies before they become problems. On one recent project, we revised the sequencing to allow for early roof dry-in, accelerating the schedule by nearly a month.
Procore-Driven Transparency
Using Procore, we streamline document control, communication, and tracking. It allows our office and field teams to stay aligned on constructability goals and real-time changes.
Field-Proven Leadership
Our project managers and superintendents have hands-on expertise. They understand what works and what doesn’t — and they bring that insight to every design discussion.
Material and Schedule Optimization
We evaluate options based on lead times, supply chain conditions, and labor needs, recommending solutions that support constructibility and project flow.
Culture of Prevention
Our core value — “Prevent and Solve Problems” — drives every decision. We don’t wait for design conflicts to show up in the field. We catch them at the table.
Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Partner, Not Just the Lowest Price
Constructability isn’t something you can bolt on later. It’s a strategic advantage — but only if your builder is part of the conversation early.
While competitive bidding may seem attractive on paper by offering the “lowest price,” the reality is that lowest bid rarely means lowest cost by the end of the project. Why? Because the contractor wasn’t involved early enough to provide constructability input — meaning errors, inefficiencies, and change orders often pile up later. That “low bid” quickly balloons into budget overruns, delays, and frustration.
At Contour Construction, we thrive in Design-Build and Construction Management environments because they allow us to do what we do best: engineer out problems before they ever reach the field. We help owners get the best value — not just the lowest number. If you’re serious about delivering a project on time, on budget, and built to last — let’s get ahead of the build, together.
Let’s build smarter. Contact us today to talk constructability.
Lisa Parsell is the Chief Operating Officer at Contour Construction, bringing nearly a decade of experience across business development and operations. She leads with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and high-quality project delivery.
