BLOG

What Is a Constructability Review and How It Improves Project Outcomes

November 15, 2025

Introduction

Even the most carefully designed projects can face challenges once construction begins — from coordination conflicts to incomplete details. These issues often lead to change orders, delays, and cost overruns.
 
A constructability review bridges the gap between design and construction. By evaluating the plans through a builder’s lens, potential issues can be identified early, saving time and money while improving project quality and stakeholder confidence.

What Is a Constructability Review?

A constructability review is a comprehensive, step-by-step evaluation of a project's plans and specifications that combines architectural, engineering, and construction expertise. The goal is to uncover coordination issues, missing details, or constructability challenges early in the design process—long before they lead to RFIs, change orders, or schedule delays in the field.

Typical areas of focus include:
  • Conflicts between Architectural, Structural, and MEP systems
  • Missing dimensions, notes, or details
  • Ambiguous or inconsistent specifications
  • Access, sequencing, and construction logistics

Pain Points of a Construction Project

Industry studies show that even well-run construction projects experience change-order cost increases of ~4-5% of contract value; yet in more complex or poorly coordinated projects these can rise to 10% or more. Additionaly, each RFI (a symptom of incomplete or unclear design/coordination) costs roughly $1,080 on average and takes nearly 10 days to resolve — before even accounting for schedule / trade stacking / productivity losses.

How a Constructability Review Improves Project Outcomes

A well-executed constructability review does more than catch drawing errors — it transforms how a project moves from design to construction. By proactively identifying coordination gaps, conflicting details, and unclear specifications, a constructability review helps ensure the design intent can be built efficiently and without costly surprises. When integrated into the design process early, these reviews strengthen collaboration between architects, engineers, and builders, resulting in fewer RFIs, fewer change orders, and a smoother construction phase. In short, a constructability review improves every stage of the project lifecycle — from pre-bid coordination to final closeout — by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and confidence across the entire team.

Reduces RFIs and Change Orders

Identifying gaps and conflicts before bid time through a structured constructability review drastically cuts the number of RFIs and costly change orders during construction.

Improves Bidding Accuracy

Clear, coordinated documents verified through a constructability review allow subcontractors to bid with confidence — reducing contingency pricing and producing more competitive bids.

Enhances Design Coordination

Reviews bring architects, engineers, and builders into alignment, ensuring systems and materials integrate as intended.

Saves Time and Money

Proactive issue resolution shortens schedules, prevents delays, and reduces costly rework in the field.

Strengthens Quality and Client Satisfaction

Owners benefit from a smoother build process and a higher-quality end product — a win for every stakeholder.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Build

A constructability review isn’t just another step in the process — it’s an investment in efficiency, coordination, and quality. By addressing design issues early, project teams can deliver better outcomes, reduce risk, and protect the owner’s budget and schedule. At Constructability Review Group, every review is performed by a team of specialists who understand both design intent and field execution, ensuring your project transitions from concept to completion with confidence.
If you’d like to learn how a Constructability Review can benefit your next project, reach out to us for a free consultation. 
Contact Us

About the Author

Constructability Review Group is a specialized consulting firm providing independent constructability and QA/QC review services nationwide.
We support Developers, Owners, Architects, and Construction Managers by applying decades of design and construction experience to identify risks, coordination issues, and potential constructability challenges before bidding or construction begins.
Our reviews have consistently proven to significantly reduce Change Orders and RFIs, helping teams save both time and money while improving overall document quality.