Growing up, Matt Ventimiglia always wanted to be an architect, but he also wanted to build.
His initial plan was to get an undergraduate degree in construction management and a graduate degree in architecture, but along the way he fell in love with the building process and its team-centric approach.
Since graduating from Indiana University Indianapolis with a degree in construction technology, he has spent 20 years in construction, including the last four years with Concord, California-based Swinerton, where he became director of preconstruction two years ago.
He told Construction Dive that his job puts him at the intersection of building and design, because he works with architects and engineers to help clients realize their vision. Here, Ventimiglia talks with Construction Dive about technology, challenges and why he doesn’t like the term “freecon.”
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
CONSTRUCTION DIVE: What are the top things you focus on as director of preconstruction?
MATT VENTIMIGLIA: In my current role, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, I do a lot of listening. I listen to clients, to architects and to my team. Listening helps me to see the big picture and gain a clear understanding of the client’s needs and wants, the architect’s design intent and the potential challenges facing my team.
I also really believe in continuous improvement rather than adopting new tools and processes. I find it’s small changes and tweaks to processes that really increase our efficiencies in everything we do. I constantly seek opportunities to improve as well as exceed our client’s expectations, by both watching and listening to my team.
How does technology come into play in the field of preconstruction?
While technology is a valuable tool, it cannot replace the expertise and skillset of an estimator in delivering a sound budget to a client. That said, our preconstruction team is pushing the envelope with the technologies we employ. While we use several standard preconstruction tools, such as BuildingConnected, On Center’s Onscreen Takeoff, Bluebeam and Microsoft Excel, we are also employing more advanced technology that is taking our preconstruction services to the next level, including Destini Estimator, JOIN and Revit.
The future of estimating and preconstruction relies on our ability to interpret an architect’s model to verify completeness and, sometimes, further develop the model. We are already starting to extract information from models to better understand costs, scheduling, phasing and logistics of projects. We are also able to compare different design milestone models to identify changes in designs quickly and adjust budgets and schedules accordingly.
Why is preconstruction important, especially in the face of rising costs and supply chain issues?
A strong preconstruction team is vital to the success and outcome of every project. The earlier a client brings a general contractor onto the project team to provide preconstruction services, the more accurate a project’s schedule, budget and overall quality of the project will be. In the rapidly changing environment we are in today, this is vitally important to the success of the project.
Many people think preconstruction is simply providing a client with a budget at the completion of a design milestone. However, preconstruction is so much more.
It encompasses understanding the client’s needs and wants, working with the architect and their consultants, managing the design to meet the client’s budget, managing the design schedule, evaluating proposed means and methods, evaluating long-lead materials, analyzing the constructability of the design and making recommendations to improve efficiency and quality — all while maintaining the client’s building goals.
What challenges are you dealing with this year?
Project start dates have been slipping more than usual as higher interest rates are making it more difficult for proformas to pencil and financing to be obtained.
The demand for trade partners and material suppliers over the last several years has resulted in increased fees, labor rates and material costs — ultimately stressing the industry. Only now are trade partners starting to see and feel a potential slowdown in the industry. Pricing is starting to level out allowing some deals to move forward. With that said, select material manufacturers have also warned us of forthcoming price increases.
Labor shortages remain a challenge. Trade partners are still not able to find the people to support the pipeline of work. Swinerton is working to mitigate this challenge through various workforce development initiatives, including a Drywall Apprenticeship Program and Foreman Development Series.
Our team self-performs as much as we can — from drywall to specialties to doors, frames, hardware and beyond — so that we can have the utmost control over quality and schedule.
What else should AEC pros know about preconstruction?
I have found that in the Southeast the construction industry has coined preconstruction as “freecon.” Traditionally, this “freecon” only includes estimating services at various design milestones. Estimating is only a very small portion of what should be included in preconstruction services and more than likely why these preconstruction services that should be called estimating services, have been free.
Swinerton is working to change how the industry perceives preconstruction services. True preconstruction service offerings manage the news whereas “freecon” services just report it with no influence or control. Preconstruction is a vital service which includes planning, budgeting, cost analysis of options, scheduling, logistics and phasing and reviewing material lead times. It is a valuable set of services that repeatedly saves the project time and money and, therefore, is a smart investment by the client.
