Preconstruction advisory is independent, owner-side strategy work performed before a project goes to GMP. MPE Consulting Group delivers estimating oversight, subcontractor procurement intelligence, GMP validation, constructability review, and risk-adjusted budgeting for owners, developers, architects, and GCs across the Atlanta metro and Southeast.
| Dimension | GC-led preconstruction | MPE Consulting Group |
|---|---|---|
| Whose interest | GC builds the project they price | Independent — owner's side only |
| Estimating oversight | Single-source estimate | Parametric + bottom-up reconciliation |
| Procurement intel | Limited to GC's bid list | Independent sub-market intelligence, Atlanta MSA |
| GMP validation | Self-validated | Independent variance memo for owner |
Frequently asked
- When in a project should I engage a preconstruction advisor?
- As early as schematic design. Engaging at 30% DD or later limits the cost-avoidance opportunity — most preventable overruns are baked in before the GMP is signed.
- Is this the same as construction management?
- No. We sit on the owner's side of the table. Construction managers and GCs deliver the work; preconstruction advisors validate scope, pricing, and risk before the owner commits capital.
- How much does preconstruction advisory cost?
- Fixed-fee per scope, typically 0.3–0.8% of projected hard-cost budget for full-cycle preconstruction. Diagnostic-only engagements start in the low five figures.
- Do you work with public-sector owners?
- Yes — municipalities, school districts, and development authorities. We're fluent in CDBG, RTP, FEMA-funded capital programs, and Georgia procurement code.
- What deliverables do owners receive?
- Risk-adjusted cost model, procurement strategy memo, GMP variance analysis, constructability log, and a fixed-fee engagement summary suitable for board or council approval.
De-Risk the Build
Before the First Shovel.
Independent preconstruction strategy, estimating oversight, and procurement intelligence for owners, developers, and design teams who refuse to discover problems at GMP.
73% of projects exceed budget. Most failures are authored in preconstruction — not the field.
Drawings and specifications disagree. Trades assume — and assumptions surface as change orders the moment dirt moves.
Estimate-to-buyout variance erodes contingency before the first subcontract is awarded. Owner pays for absent rigor.
Master schedules built from optimism, not long-lead reality, fail at fabrication windows and seasonal cutovers.
Six disciplines. One owner-side mandate.
Constructability & Plan Review
Independent review of construction plans, general conditions, and specifications to surface conflicts, missing scope, and unbuildable details before they become RFIs and change orders.
Quantitative Takeoff & Cost Validation
Accurate quantity takeoffs and independent material, labor, and equipment pricing to verify subcontractor bids and protect owner contingency.
Subcontractor & Trade Procurement Strategy
Bid solicitation, trade contractor vetting, scope-of-work development, and bid leveling using Building Connected and SmartBidNet workflows.
Schedule & Sequencing Analysis
Tentative master schedules built from specifications, site conditions, long-lead procurement, fabrication windows, and seasonal risk.
Risk, Insurance & Contractual Conditions Review
Analysis of liquidated damages, insurance requirements, fee structures, permit responsibilities, submittal obligations, and unusual contractual conditions before execution.
Owner-Side Estimate Reviews & GMP Negotiation Support
Lead estimate reviews with owners, design teams, and project management; stress-test GMP submissions; defend owner interests through buyout.
Fixed-scope mandates. No hourly economics.
Advisory Retainer
Monthly preconstruction oversight on active pursuits.
Owners and developers with a portfolio of concurrent pursuits.
- Recurring plan & spec review cadence
- Standing buyout and bid-leveling support
- Estimate stress-testing on rolling basis
- Owner-side weekly status memo
- Direct access to senior advisor
- Monthly executive readout
Project-Based Engagement
Single-project preconstruction lead, concept → GMP.
A specific capital project with a defined start and GMP target.
- Constructability review across DD & CD sets
- Independent takeoffs & pricing model
- Trade solicitation & bid leveling
- Schedule build and long-lead tracking
- Risk register & contract review
- GMP validation memo and buyout handoff
- Owner-side negotiation support
Second-Opinion Audit
Fixed-fee independent review of an existing GMP or estimate package.
Owners about to sign a GMP and wanting an independent gut-check.
- Forensic review of GMP submission
- Quantity & unit-pricing variance analysis
- Allowance & contingency review
- Schedule plausibility test
- Risk & contract red-flag summary
- Written executive findings memo
Five phases from charter to handoff.
Engagement charter, stakeholder map, document index.
Constructability log, scope-gap register, RFI seed list.
Independent takeoffs, unit-price model, allowance schedule.
Bid package, vetted bidder list, leveled comparison matrix.
GMP validation memo, risk register, buyout playbook.
Where our preconstruction discipline lands.
The rare advisor that understands compliance, risk, and procurement — not just numbers on a spreadsheet.
MPE Consulting Group is led by Michael Polynice, EMPA, CPD, CEM, Managing Partner & Co-Founder. Michael Polynice holds an Executive MPA — Public Finance & Data Analytics and brings over 20 years of experience in management consulting, program management, and strategic advisory. As Managing Partner & Co-Founder of MPE Consulting Group, he leads engagements personally — no analyst pyramids, no template deliverables, no scope-creep economics.
Our preconstruction practice draws on 20+ years across municipal compliance, emergency management, environmental remediation — including multi-acre brownfield programs — and federal grant administration spanning FEMA NSGP, Recreational Trails Program, and CDBG. Owners hire us when the project must survive both a buyout meeting and a federal audit.
Industry-standard platforms, owner-side workflows.
Public-Sector Park Trail Program — Federal Grant-Funded Preconstruction
An owner-side preconstruction engagement on a multi-phase trail program under federal grant funding. Independent takeoffs, trade leveling, and grant-compliant procurement protected scope and schedule through GMP.
Read the full case studyOwner questions, answered candidly.
Brief us on your project.
Tell us where the project stands and what you'd like independently reviewed. A senior advisor responds within one business day with a scoped next step — not a sales pitch.
- Fixed-scope engagement letter, day one
- Confidential — no information shared with GCs
- Federal grant & public-sector experienced
Before you sign the GMP, get a second set of eyes.
30-minute preconstruction strategy call. No pitch. No obligation.