In today's construction landscape, few areas carry more weight than the pre-construction phase. With the introduction of the Building Safety Act and increasing regulatory oversight from the Building Safety Regulator, projects face unprecedented scrutiny at every stage. A structured Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA), combined with robust commercial management, has become essential for de-risking projects across façades, roofing, and complete building envelope remediation, ensuring compliance and providing clients with cost and programme certainty before works even begin.
AT A GLANCE
- Understand what a PCSA is and why it is now central to safe project delivery.
- Learn how Gateway submissions affect timelines and why thorough preparation is crucial.
- Explore the value of combining Principal Designer and Principal Contractor roles from pre-construction to project handover stages.
- Explore how commercial management provides cost, safety, programme, and procurement certainty.
- Discover how we integrate sustainability from the outset to align with our ESG objectives.
- Gain practical advice for duty holders and building owners navigating compliance under the Building Safety Act.
In practice, this means we can thoroughly examine the design, conduct surveys, and plan logistics in detail before the project site kick-off. In today's Building Safety Act environment, early involvement isn't just practical; it's essential. It's the point where we identify project risks, prepare safety case documentation, and the project aligns with regulatory expectations.
Daniel: Acting as both Principal Designer (PD) and Principal Contractor (PC), we provide a seamless approach to safety and compliance. As PD, we design out risk wherever possible, coordinating input from architects, engineers, and fire consultants. As PC, we document and plan how we'll build safely, integrating sequencing, procurement, and logistics.
Combining these roles at the PCSA stage means duty holders get one integrated team, one Golden Thread of safety information, and one accountable partner. That clarity is invaluable when preparing Gateway submissions and demonstrating compliance.
One of the most significant risks we often encounter is procurement, particularly with specialist cladding, roofing, and fire-rated systems, where lead times extend without proper procurement management. Without early engagement, this can cause severe programme delays. That's why, as part of the PCSA process, we engage our procurement teams in the planning. We establish honest and transparent relationships with our supply chain partners early, validate material availability, and ensure the secure supply of compliant products in line with Gateway requirements.
By doing this, we protect our clients from supply chain shocks, avoid last-minute substitutions, and ensure that procurement strategies are realistic, transparent, and aligned with budgets and programme delivery. The result is cost certainty, programme confidence, and compliance assurance—three things every duty holder needs under today's regulatory and financial pressures.
“The PCSA stage is where we ensure clients' succeed, on safety, compliance, and cost certainty. By front-loading the process, we help our clients make confident, informed decisions that stand up to regulatory scrutiny and deliver long-term value.”
Daniel Jessimer,
Commercial Director, Starfish Construction
Daniel: We embed sustainability measures from the outset. In the PCSA stage, we advise on materials with low embodied carbon, plan insulation and energy efficiency measures, and build waste reduction into logistics. We also ensure projects align with our and our clients' ESG goals and future-proof assets for regulatory changes.
Making these decisions early, rather than bolting them on later, saves costs and delivers real long-term value for both the building owner and the communities interacting with properties, including residential blocks, public buildings, and mixed-use developments.
Many thanks to Daniel for sharing his expertise on this vital subject.
At Starfish Construction, we provide trusted leadership across PCSA, Gateway submissions, and project commercial management. Acting as both Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, our integrated divisions and knowledgeable team ensure clarity, compliance, and cost certainty throughout the project journey, while supporting clients in meeting the requirements of the Building Safety Regulator under the Building Safety Act.