How to Stop Avoidable Delays Before Your Project Even Starts

75% of project delays are avoidable, and most of them begin long before construction starts. 

This might be surprising, but it’s a common reality in commercial interiors work. It’s a tale as old as time: the architect is hired, the design begins to take shape, and only later is the general contractor (GC) brought in to price and build the job. By then, many key decisions have already been made without input from the team responsible for executing the vision. 

This is often when challenges surface. As budgets come in over target, long-lead materials threaten the timeline, and beloved design elements require costly revisions, teams are forced to shift into problem-solving mode. The outcome? Valuable time is lost fixing issues that early collaboration could have prevented. 

There is a better way. When the GC is involved in the early stages, before the drawings are finalized and the budget is set, project teams are much more empowered to make faster, more informed decisions, align on expectations, and stay focused on delivering a successful outcome. 

Late GC involvement often means lost chances to influence critical cost, schedule, and constructability decisions.  

The Solution: Bring the GC to the conversation early 

It also helps uncover risks and constraints before they become costly surprises. This includes reviewing existing conditions, flagging coordination issues, and guiding smart decisions before they create downstream impacts. With that kind of insight early on, GCs can align design intent with constructability and cost, giving your project the best chance to succeed before drawings are complete. 

Here’s what early involvement allows your GC to do: 

• Real-time cost feedback: Early GC involvement allows pricing to happen alongside design, so scope and budget stay aligned from the start. This prevents sticker shock and reduces the need for late-stage redesigns. 

“We’re not here to cut; we’re here to align. Early collaboration lets us preserve the design vision while hitting the target. When brought in during early design, we can flag what’s feasible and what’s risky before detailed work begins.” Matt Slayen, our Principal of Preconstruction & Estimating 

• Constructability insight: A builder’s perspective during design helps flag installation challenges, coordination conflicts, or cost-heavy details before they reach the job site—saving time and avoiding rework. 

• Procurement strategy: With input on material availability and lead times, the GC can help plan purchases, suggest viable alternates, and support phased construction to keep the schedule on track. 

• Permitting foresight: The GC can identify permitting risks early, flag jurisdiction-specific requirements, and help the team avoid delays related to resubmissions, missing documentation, or overlooked code issues. 

• Logistics and sequencing input: From site access and deliveries to noise restrictions and tenant work hours, the GC helps design a construction plan that works for the real-world conditions of the site. 

Ready to involve a general contractor? Our tips to start your project off right 

Starting a commercial interiors project can be overwhelming, especially when deciding the best time to bring your general contractor on board. To make this easier, we’ve compiled some questions commonly asked along with our recommendations. These insights will guide you on when to involve your GC and how to choose the partner who will support your project from the very beginning. If you’re still unsure, try our Project Readiness Quiz to pinpoint your project’s stage and the ideal time to bring in a GC. 

1. When is the best time to bring in a general contractor?  

Ideally, during or even before schematic design. Some owners also find value in involving a GC during test fits, especially when timelines are tight or budget certainty is important. 

2. What should I look for in a GC during early project stages? 

3. What questions should I ask when selecting a GC early? 

• How do you approach preconstruction? 

• What’s your experience working with architects during early design? 

• How do you help manage long-lead risks and phasing? 

4. Why is early collaboration with a GC valuable? 

Early collaboration with a general contractor brings important benefits that can make or break a project’s success. 

“Early GC involvement helps preserve the integrity of the design, provides greater control over costs, and significantly reduces the risk of delays.” —Thomas Mueller, Project Director 

Final Thought 

Bring your builder to the table early and give your project the best chance to succeed. 

When your GC, architect, and team start together, you don’t just avoid problems. You unlock better solutions. Early alignment leads to smarter decisions, stronger partnerships, and projects that deliver exactly what they set out to do. 

“From the start, Skyline stood out. Their estimator visited the site multiple times, far more than other bidders. They felt like friends from the beginning, proposing ways to save money and understanding our mission deeply. They worked odd hours to avoid disturbing families living onsite. We hit the timeline and budget—something rare in construction projects.” — Oscar A. Gomez, COO of Ronald McDonald House Charities 

Let’s talk early, so your project finishes strong. 

If you’re starting to plan a commercial interiors project, now is the right time to engage your GC. The earlier your builder is involved, the more support you’ll have navigating budget, logistics, and construction planning, without compromising your vision or timeline. 

Skyline regularly partners with clients and design teams during early planning to bring clarity and confidence to the process. If you’re exploring next steps and want a sounding board or early input, we’re here to help. 

Reach out anytime—we’re happy to share what we’re seeing in the market and how to set your project up for success.

PROJECT READINESS QUIZ 

Curious what stage your project is in? Take this short quiz to find out here.