Why Pre-Construction Is the Most Strategic Phase in Construction

Welcome to Episode 106 of I’m The Gaffer 👷‍♂️ Gavin Coyle is joined by Steve Dell'Orto, Founder & CEO of Concentric, to explore one of the most overlooked — yet most strategic phases in construction: pre-construction. Too often in construction, the focus goes straight to building. But the reality is that the success or failure of a project is usually decided long before the first shovel hits the ground. Steve brings 26 years of experience in major general contracting, having worked on projects ranging from hundreds of thousands to multi-billion dollar developments. In this episode, he explains why the construction industry leaves huge opportunities on the table by not investing enough time, systems, and data into pre-construction planning. The conversation dives into how data, collaboration, and modern technology are transforming how teams plan projects, manage risk, and deliver more predictable outcomes. If you're involved in construction leadership, project delivery, or improving profitability in your business…this conversation will resonate. Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software. Hustro.com – 75% less time on inspections & reports Start and claim 2 months free using “GAVIN” code → https://hustro.com/gavin Episode Highlights (Timestamps / Chapters) 00:16 Podcast sponsor: Hustro.com 01:44 Introduction: Gavin Coyle + Steve Dell'Orto 02:11 Why pre-construction is the most strategic phase in construction 03:13 Steve’s 26-year career in general contracting 04:51 The creation of Concentric before COVID 06:05 Why pre-construction is similar across projects of all sizes 06:52 Are construction companies getting pre-construction wrong? 08:40 The challenge of fewer experienced workers entering construction 08:59 Using historical project data to improve planning 10:04 AI and technology as a force multiplier for construction teams 10:51 Why Concentric focuses specifically on pre-construction 12:12 Predicting project cost and certainty of outcomes 14:20 Why the cheapest mistakes happen in pre-construction 15:37 Platform vs point solutions in construction software 18:22 How better pre-construction planning improves profitability 19:16 Using technology to increase project win rates 22:00 Why data improves collaboration and communication 24:01 Breaking down silos between contractors and designers 26:25 Giving owners real-time visibility into project costs 27:48 Podcast sponsor: Hustro.com 28:24 Beyond estimating: scheduling, risk and resource planning 30:01 Designing construction software that is simple to use 32:03 Why simplicity increases adoption of technology 33:33 When does construction actually start? 35:47 Why the line between pre-construction and construction is blurry 37:24 Why many companies still rely on spreadsheets 38:02 How customers shape the evolution of Concentric 39:09 Subscribe and support the podcast 41:55 Knowing what you know now… what would you do differently? 42:23 Book recommendation: Freedom’s Forge 45:02 Steve’s passion for building and carpentry 46:27 Favorite travel destination 47:30 How to connect with Steve Dell'Orto Connect with Steve Dell'Orto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedellorto/ Website: https://concntric.com I’m The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction professionals — bringing insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint success in the building industry. Available on: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify: https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast Website: https://www.imthegaffer.com/ #ImTheGaffer #Construction #PreConstruction #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionTechnology #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionIndustry