Hospitality Projects Are Won In Preconstruction: Insights from D.J. Benedetto
We sat down with D.J. Benedetto to talk through the early decisions that shape hotel projects long before construction begins. From engaging operators sooner to using design-assist for real-time pricing and constructability insight, D.J. explains how early preconstruction alignment reduces redesign, protects schedules, and safeguards the guest experience.
Dive into DJ’s insights below.
Q: In hotel projects, the biggest surprises usually show up after drawings are “finished.” From your perspective, what early preconstruction conversations are owners not having soon enough, and how do those decisions shape cost and feasibility later?
Benedetto: One of the most overlooked early conversations is getting the hotel operator and management team fully engaged before design progresses too far. Too often, drawings move forward without their operational input, which can lead to redesign later.
The operator understands how the hotel needs to function day to day, from back-of-house flow to guest circulation and service logistics. Their input directly impacts layout, adjacencies, and long-term performance. When they are involved early, we avoid reworking scope, protect the schedule, and ensure the design aligns with how the property will actually operate.
Q: Many hotel renovations happen in tight urban sites or fully operational buildings. What does early preconstruction unlock in terms of phasing, logistics, and guest-impact planning that owners often overlook?
Benedetto: Early preconstruction gives the contractor a seat at the table to proactively plan around ongoing operations and the guest experience. In active hotels or tight urban environments, phasing, access, noise control, and material logistics are not secondary considerations, they are critical to success.
By identifying potential disruptions early, such as noise transmission, dust control, and delivery constraints, we can build mitigation strategies into the plan. That level of foresight limits scope creep, aligns expectations from the start, and protects both revenue and brand reputation during construction.
Q: For hospitality owners trying to manage rising construction costs, where does design-build or design-assist deliver the most meaningful savings, and how does that compare to the traditional design-bid-build process?
Benedetto: Design-assist creates the most value by aligning the owner, design team, and contractor from the beginning. Instead of pricing a completed design and reacting to cost overruns, we provide real-time pricing, constructability feedback, and schedule input as the design evolves.
In a traditional design-bid-build approach, cost gaps are often discovered after drawings are complete, which forces redesign and delays. Early contractor involvement reduces that risk. It allows the team to make informed decisions in real time, protecting the budget and schedule while maintaining design intent. That level of collaboration drives more predictable outcomes.
Q: With today’s conditions including compressed schedules, higher financing costs, and elevated guest expectations, what part of the delivery process benefits most from shifting key decisions into the preconstruction window?
Benedetto: Both financial performance and guest expectations benefit most from early decision-making. When key scope, sequencing, and systems decisions are made during preconstruction, the team gains clarity before the schedule tightens and costs escalate.
Engaging early allows us to provide insight into procurement strategies, long-lead items, phasing, and operational impacts. Decisions made at the front end have exponential impact later. By shifting critical thinking into preconstruction, we reduce downstream surprises and give owners greater confidence in both the financial outcome and the final guest experience.
To see how RNGD delivers hospitality projects with greater certainty and less disruption, visit: https://rngd.com/hospitality/
