Preconstruction agreement template: the scope checklist.
A preconstruction services agreement is a legal document your attorney should draft or review, often starting from a standard form such as those AIA publishes. What you can prepare yourself is the business scope: which estimates at which design milestones, what deliverables, what fee, and what happens at handoff. This checklist organizes that.
Send one plan set. See what the AI extracts and what it flags for review. No obligation.
- Estimate milestones
- Deliverables and responsibilities
- Fee and handoff terms to discuss
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Yellow cells are inputs; formulas do the rest. Every default is an example you should replace with your own numbers.
Preview: Scope
| Category | Service / deliverable | Included? | Responsible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimating | Conceptual estimate at schematic design | Yes | GC | |
| Estimating | Detailed estimate at design development | Yes | GC | |
| Estimating | GMP or lump-sum proposal at construction documents | TBD | GC | |
| Value engineering | VE log with cost and schedule impact per item | Yes | GC | |
| Constructability | Constructability reviews at each milestone | Yes | GC | |
| Schedule | Preliminary schedule and phasing plan | Yes | GC | |
| Procurement | Long-lead item list and early release recommendations | Yes | GC | |
| Trade input | Design-assist subcontractor input (e.g. MEP, steel, facade) | TBD | Sub | |
| Site | Site logistics plan | TBD | GC | |
| Fee | Precon fee basis (lump sum, hourly, credited to GMP) | TBD | Owner/GC | Discuss with attorney |
| Handoff | Ownership of estimates and documents if the project does not proceed | TBD | Owner/GC | Discuss with attorney |
| Handoff | Conditions for converting to construction contract | TBD | Owner/GC | Discuss with attorney |
From drawings to a priced line, in order.
Agree on milestones
List which estimates are due at which design phase and in what format.
Assign services
Mark each service as included, excluded or TBD and who is responsible.
Flag legal terms
Fee basis, document ownership and conversion terms go to your attorney.
Track delivery
Update the Milestones tab as estimates go out.
What each column is for.
| Column | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Included? | Yes / No / TBD |
| Responsible | Owner, Architect, GC, Sub |
| Format | e.g. CSI division summary, systems, unit cost |
Precon estimates at every milestone, without starting over.
Speed is easy to promise. Defensible numbers are the job, so RenderDraw keeps the estimator in control of every quantity that gets priced.
- Source on every row. Each quantity keeps its source sheet, location and reviewer decision.
- Lowest confidence first. The review queue shows the drawing tile with the detection highlighted and the extracted value.
- Uncertain items flagged, not hidden. Anything the AI can't confirm goes to the estimator rather than being guessed.
- Nothing priced before approval. Rows move on to pricing only after they are accepted.
Questions estimators ask
What is a preconstruction agreement?
A contract between an owner and a contractor for services before construction, such as estimating, scheduling, constructability and value engineering, often separate from the construction contract.
Is there an AIA preconstruction agreement template?
AIA publishes standard contract documents, including forms used for preconstruction services. Obtain current forms from AIA and have your attorney review them; this checklist is not a substitute.
What should a preconstruction services agreement include?
Scope of services, deliverables and milestones, fee and payment, ownership of work product, confidentiality, and how the relationship converts or ends. This checklist covers the business scope.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a planning checklist. Consult your attorney for contract language.
How does RenderDraw help in preconstruction?
RenderDraw speeds the takeoff behind each milestone estimate and tracks what changed between design sets, with every quantity linked to its source sheet.
See what the AI reads on your own drawings.
Send one representative trade plan set. RenderDraw reviews it and follows up with what the AI extracted and what it flagged for review. Your files remain private while the request is assessed, and there is no obligation.
- Upload the plan set, legends and schedules, the spec sections for your scope and any addenda.
- RenderDraw reviews the set and the scope you want tested.
- We follow up with extracted quantities, flagged items and next steps.