Foreman Series: Preparing And Participating In The Pre-Con Meeting

Preparing and Participating in a Pre-Construction Meeting: A Foreman’s Guide

In this blog, we’ll walk through how to properly prepare for a Pre-Construction meeting for your scope of work and work package. These meetings are essential to ensure that you and your crew are fully equipped, organized, and ready to execute your tasks efficiently. Without proper preparation, you risk facing delays, missing essential materials, and wasting valuable time—not to mention frustration for both you and the general contractor. Let’s dive in!

When Should a Pre-Construction Meeting Happen?

In the construction timeline, Pre-Construction meetings (or pre-install/preparatory meetings) play a critical role. While broader Pre-Construction meetings occur at the project’s onset with the owner or inspector, the meeting we’re discussing takes place three weeks before your specific work package begins.

This meeting ensures your scope isn’t viewed in isolation but as an integrated piece of the project’s overall success. It aligns with the “plan, build, finish” approach:

1. Plan: Contract setup and Pre-mobilization meeting.
2. Build: Pre-Construction meeting, first in-place installation, and follow-up inspection.
3. Finish: Final inspection and closeout.

Purpose of a Pre-Construction Meeting:

This meeting is all about you as the foreman and last planner. The purpose is to transfer knowledge and resources from earlier phases to ensure you’re ready to lead your crew. The key objectives include:

• Defining the right scope.
• Outlining expectations clearly.
• Gathering all necessary deliverables for seamless execution.

This is where everything comes together—from plans and specs to checklists and visual tools—to ensure your team is empowered to succeed.

How to Prepare for the Meeting:

Preparation is everything. Before the meeting:

• Read and Highlight the Plans and Specifications: Spend time reviewing these documents to identify key details that may affect your work. While time may be tight, a well-managed crew and timely access to these documents can make this step manageable.
• Familiarize Yourself with the Scope: Understand the integration of your work with the project’s overall goals.

What to Expect During the Meeting:

A well-structured Pre-Construction meeting covers:

• Production Plans: Align on strategies and logistics.
• Key Checklists: Utilize tools like a 17-point checklist to verify readiness.
• Critical Deliverables: Review submittals, RFIs, owner requirements, and project data.

The goal is to simplify information into actionable bullet points and visuals, ensuring you and your crew can digest it efficiently and effectively.

Why This Meeting Matters:

By the end of the meeting, you should leave with:

• A clear install checklist that outlines exactly what you need to execute and review.
• Alignment with the contractor or GC on expectations to avoid confusion or rework later.

This structured preparation ensures your crew hits the ground running, minimizes delays, and maximizes productivity.

Proper preparation and participation in Pre-Construction meetings aren’t just beneficial—they’re crucial. With the right mindset and tools, you can lead your team confidently and achieve outstanding results.