In a renovation project, the results are not determined solely on the construction site.
They make decisions much earlier — in the quality of planning, the clarity of decisions and the ability to anticipate constraints before execution.
After several years of experience on renovation projects in Geneva and the canton of Vaud, in collaboration with architects, engineers and private clients, one observation is clear: the most serene and best-controlled projects are those where pre-construction is considered a foundational phase, and not a formality.
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Projects don't derail due to a lack of ambition, but rather a lack of clarity.
High-end renovations are, by nature, complex.
Existing buildings, regulatory frameworks, technical constraints and high expectations intersect there.
When difficulties arise, they rarely stem from an isolated unforeseen event. They most often arise from a lack of clarity:
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hypotheses never actually tested
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constraints discovered too late.
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implications initially underestimated.
Pre-construction aims precisely to reduce this grey area — not by simplifying the project, but by making its realities visible early enough .
Pre-construction as a realistic projection of the project
The purpose of pre-construction is not to eliminate all uncertainty.
It allows for an honest and technically informed projection of what the project actually entails.
This phase clarifies, in particular:
realistic budget ranges,
the phasing and the deadlines,
technical feasibility,
regulatory and structural constraints,
the key structural decisions to be made upstream.
When these elements are established early, decisions cease to be reactive. They become intentional .
Clarity restores control
Identifying constraints upstream profoundly changes the dynamics of the project.
The client can then make a decision calmly:
to preserve an architectural intention,
to secure a level of investment,
or prioritize a schedule.
Pre-construction does not limit the choices.
It allows them to be done at the right time , when there is still room for maneuver.
Importance od Early Contractor Involvement
Whether a project starts with plans already established or is part of a design-assist approach, the most successful renovations share one thing in common: on-the-ground expertise is integrated early.
This practice — often referred to as Early Contrator Involvement — is widely used in Europe, North America, the United Kingdom and Australia, particularly for projects with high financial and technical stakes.
In Geneva and the canton of Vaud, where existing buildings frequently present significant structural and regulatory constraints, this approach is particularly relevant.
Translating design intent into constructive reality
When the company is involved from the earliest stages, it provides a concrete perspective on:
constructability,
the phasing of the work,
the coordination of different trades,
supply strategies,
the real budgetary implications.
This expertise does not replace architectural design.
She completes it, so that the design intention remains aligned with what can be executed — without adjustments made during construction.
This is confirmed by studies… and by field experience.
Sector analyses published by players such as KPMG regularly indicate that a majority of the difficulties encountered in construction (often estimated between 60 and 70%) originate from insufficient or incomplete planning .
Field experience confirms these figures.
The most tense situations do not usually arise from an unforeseen event, but from elements that should have been anticipated: technical complexity, phasing constraints or poorly understood budgetary implications.
Execution remains essential, but the stress originates beforehand.
The quality of execution remains crucial. A construction site requires experience, adaptability, and the ability to react to unforeseen events.
However, the majority of the stress felt by clients does not come from the execution itself.
It appears when decisions have to be made too late, under time or budget constraints, because fundamental questions have not been resolved beforehand.
Pre-construction does not replace know-how.
It creates the necessary conditions for him to fully express himself.
Why this approach is essential in Geneva and Vaud
As renovation projects become more complex and investment levels increase, the cost of inaccuracy becomes considerable.
Pre-construction allows for:
to align stakeholders,
to secure the decisions,
to reduce the adjustments undergone,
and to establish a lasting relationship of trust.
For clients seeking a controlled, thoughtful and stress-free renovation, pre-construction is not an additional step — it is the starting point.
More information on pre-construction planning and more below...
Pre-construction
& Design Assist
Pre-construction makes it possible for us to step in early, based on existing plans or while design is still underway, to check feasibility, structure the budget and prepare for controlled execution.
Design assistance is aimed at customers without established plans: based on ideas or inspirations, we accompany the design and translate the vision into concrete and realistic solutions.
Process
Our process delivers clarity and calm at every stage.
With structured pre-construction phases, attentive leadership, and continuous oversight, thoughtful ideas become polished results - delivered seamlessly and without surprises.
Phase 1 Consultation & Feasibility
Analysis of the project, scope and constraints in order to verify technical feasibility and alignment with a realistic overall budget.
Project Definition & Scope
Detailed definition of the project, technical choices and development of a structured final budget, allowing the execution to be initiated on a clear and controlled basis.
Exécution & direction de travaux
Site management, coordination of stakeholders and planned communication, with real-time monitoring via a dedicated customer portal.
Delivery & final handover
Acceptance, control of the finishes and complete handover of the project, including guarantees and support to ensure your peace of mind in the long term.
In accordance with SIA best practices & Swiss standards
Current professional insurance
Bilingual support (FR / EN)
About Collet Homes
Choosing Collet Homes means entrusting your project to a team that takes full responsibility for the execution. Thanks to solid field expertise, rigorous coordination of stakeholders and an ability to anticipate and resolve technical issues, we guarantee a faithful, controlled and sustainable implementation.
Collet Homes is driven by two complementary influences: a Canadian approach of early involvement and teamwork, and the exacting Swiss standards of detail, structure, and performance. These two pillars guide how we think, collaborate, and build.
Each renovation is approached with technical curiosity, a sense of responsibility and the constant concern to deliver sustainable spaces, controlled and faithful to the vision of our customers.
To carry out renovation projects with high standards, clarity and responsibility, providing a reassuring structure, rigorous coordination and reliable technical expertise at each stage.
At Collet Homes, our mission is to protect the vision, investment and serenity of our clients and architectural collaborations, delivering sustainable, controlled spaces that are true to expectations.
To raise the standards of residential renovation in French-speaking Switzerland in the long term, by making clarity, collaboration and excellence in execution the standard.
We aspire to be a reference partner for demanding clients and architects, recognized for its ability to transform well-developed intentions into high-end and coherent spaces.
— Collaboration
WORKING TOGETHER
Whether you are a private client or a design professional, let's talk about your project – with no obligation. An initial discussion to clarify your intentions and plan the next step in complete confidence.
Questions. Answers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find the answer to your question in our FAQs, please feel free to contact us directly.
What is pre-construction in renovation?
Pre-construction is an in-depth planning phase that allows for the analysis of the technical feasibility, constraints, budget and schedule of a project before work begins.
Why join the company from the earliest stages?
The early involvement of the company allows for the integration of field expertise from the design stage, in order to align the design, the budget and the reality of the construction site.
Does pre-construction make it possible to avoid changes during the construction process?
It doesn't eliminate all evolution, but it significantly reduces adjustments related to elements that could have been anticipated. Modifications then become deliberate choices, rather than imposed corrections.
Is this approach suitable for projects in Geneva and Vaud?
Yes. The regulatory, technical and structural constraints of existing buildings in French-speaking Switzerland make pre-construction particularly relevant.
At what point should the company be involved?
Ideally, from the initial planning stages of the project or just after the first sketches, in collaboration with the architect or directly with the client.
