In high-end residential projects, difficulties rarely arise from the design itself.
They appear later when conceptual decisions meet the reality of existing buildings, regulatory constraints, deadlines and execution.
It is precisely at this point that the early participation of the company (Early Contractor Involvement – ECI) takes on its full meaning.
Not to direct the project, but to secure decisions as long as they remain flexible .
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Designing is an intellectual act. Building is an irreversible act.
A drawing can be adjusted.
An intention can change.
But once on site, every decision becomes physical, binding, definitive (without wanting to work and cost double or more) .
Design thinkers like Christopher Alexander or Juhani Pallasmaa have extensively discussed the difference between an idea and its embodiment.
In the building sector, this boundary is particularly stark:
What has not been anticipated beforehand becomes costly financially, emotionally, and relationally.
ECI is not a method but a stand of responsibility.
ECI does not impoverish architecture. It protects it.
A common fear, especially in demanding projects, is that early intervention by the company will reduce the architectural ambition.
In practice, it’s often the opposite because when execution is integrated early:
- Constraints become design parameters , not late-stage obstacles.
- The details are refined before being finalized.
- The architectural intention is preserved , because it is made buildable.
The most elegant projects are not those that avoid constraints, but rather those that integrate them intelligently.
What field experience reveals
In projects where the company intervenes late, we almost always observe:
- urgent adjustments,
- arbitrations under pressure,
- a gradual dilution of the initial intention,
- increased fatigue among the teams and the client.
Conversely, when the company participates early:
- The budgets remain consistent.
- The sequences are well-controlled.
- The responsibilities are clear.
- The customer experience is calmer, stress is minimized, more befitting a high-end project.
This is a constant that can be observed on the ground from the point of view of the initial designers and the end client.
A particular value in the Swiss context
In Switzerland — and particularly in Geneva — the existing buildings, regulatory requirements and customer expectations make late corrections extremely costly.
In this context, the ECI acts as: a decision filter, a consistency tool, a risk buffer .
It’s not about doing more, but about making better decisions, earlier.
The Collet Homes approach
At Collet Homes, we operate as a General Contractor focused on Design-Assist and Construction Management.
Our role is not to replace the architect, nor to take control of the project.
It consists of:
- comparing intentions with the realities of execution,
- anticipating interfaces and sequences,
- securing the choices before they become irreversible.
This deliberately selective approach is aimed at projects where quality and clarity take precedence over speed, and collaboration is an uncompromised lever.
In high-end projects, the real value is not primarily the spectacular but the predictability, consistency, and peace of mind of the process.
Early involvement of the company is a responsible way to address complexity and specific customer support.
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.
