The Secret to Success

On paper, everything may look flawless. But once construction begins, reality often tells a different story — unexpected issues, costly delays, and design flaws that nobody saw coming. And here's the truth: it’s not always the architect’s fault. Architects may develop beautiful concepts and full documentation, but they don’t always have deep, hands-on experience with what happens on-site — with contractors, suppliers, tight deadlines, and installation constraints. That’s where the general contractor (GC) comes in.

Design Oversight: Extra Work or Critical Responsibility?

If a GC has architectural training or development experience, staying out of the design process is simply not an option. It’s like a doctor walking past someone in distress — it just doesn’t happen. A qualified general contractor can — and should — question design decisions, review architectural plans, and flag issues before they become problems. Why? Because everything that follows — from cost to schedule to buildability — depends on the quality and feasibility of those early decisions.

Real-world experience shows: Many architectural designs suffer from flawed, unbuildable, or absent technical details.

At DEKRA CONSTRUCTION, we believe early design review is not “extra work” — it’s essential to delivering a successful project.

It’s common in Russia for projects to be rushed through initial approvals just to obtain a construction permit (RNS) and start pre-sales. But the first version of a project rarely reflects the real conditions on-site. Design adaptations are almost always required from day one.

While every project is different, façade systems and waterproofing details tend to cause the most trouble. We face this in nearly every project.

From Practice: Every project has its own set of challenges, but the most common issues tend to be with waterproofing details and facades.

What Needs Careful Review?

Some of the most critical sections to double-check include:

• Structural drawings (KZh, KR) – especially for foundation pits and elevator shaft dimensions that must match real equipment specs.
• MEP systems – with special attention to major openings and penetrations that affect the structure.

Any mismatch or omission here can trigger a cascade of problems — from re-engineering to delays to increased construction costs. 

At DEKRA CONSTRUCTION, project design review is a contractual obligation. And it’s saved our clients time, money, and serious headaches.

What Happens When You Review Early

When done right, early design review brings balance to the three pillars of any project:

• Quality
• Cost
• Timeline

Skipping this step means opening the door to technical errors, budget overruns, and legal risks.

In its practice, DEKRA CONSTRUCTION has repeatedly encountered situations where reviewing design solutions was impossible for various reasons. However, conducting such reviews would have helped prevent additional costs, meet deadlines, and maintain the required quality. For example:

• Modify the construction method for the reinforced concrete frame to accelerate the project timeline by several months;
• Revise the waterproofing design by applying a standard, proven technical solution to avoid costly future repairs;
• Finalise decisions regarding the facade system before completing the design and erection of the building frame, thereby preventing the need to reinforce the concrete structures later;
• Determine the main engineering equipment and its dimensions early on to ensure timely completion of technical rooms and shafts without delaying the overall construction schedule.

The Bottom Line

When a general contractor gets into the drawings, asks tough questions, and challenges unclear design choices, it’s not interference — it’s protection.

It safeguards your budget, your timeline, your peace of mind, and the overall success of the project. Because quality starts long before the first brick is laid.