Scaling Preconstruction Teams with Staff Augmentation: A Smarter Way to Build 

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is under tremendous pressure to deliver projects faster, more efficiently, and with tighter margins. Preconstruction—once a quiet planning phase—has become the nerve center of any successful build. Yet, finding skilled professionals to manage estimating, BIM modeling, quantity takeoffs, and scheduling remains one of the biggest hurdles for general contractors and design-build firms.

That’s where staff augmentation comes in. At Optimar Consulting, we have spent decades helping preconstruction leaders scale intelligently without compromising quality. In this article, we’ll explore how staff augmentation has transformed from a cost-saving measure into a strategic asset, especially for preconstruction operations.

The Staffing Dilemma in Preconstruction

The surge in project demand post-pandemic, combined with aging workforce issues, has left the AEC sector scrambling for preconstruction talent. The most sought-after professionals—BIM modelers, cost estimators, schedulers, and preconstruction engineers—are often already committed or command premium salaries.

In-house hiring takes time. Recruiting, onboarding, and training can stretch over months, costing both time and money. And when the project pipeline slows down, companies are stuck with high fixed costs.

What is Staff Augmentation?

Staff augmentation is the practice of supplementing your internal team with external professionals on a full-time or project-based contract. These professionals operate as an extension of your in-house team, often remotely, while the administrative load—HR, payroll, infrastructure—is handled by the staffing partner.

This model brings flexibility, speed, and efficiency to your talent strategy.

Why Preconstruction Needs a Flexible Talent Model

Unlike field operations, preconstruction is deeply analytical and technology-driven. It requires rapid turnaround times, collaboration with multiple stakeholders, and technical expertise. Staff augmentation gives you:

• Access to Global Talent: Hire BIM experts, estimators, and scheduling professionals from a worldwide pool without the restrictions of local hiring.
• Faster Project Mobilization: Ramp up talent in 2-3 weeks instead of 2-3 months.
• Cost Efficiency: Save 60-70% compared to hiring locally, without sacrificing quality.
• Scalability: Add or reduce headcount based on workload without long-term HR risk.

Common Roles Augmented in Preconstruction

At Optimar, we frequently support clients with:

• BIM Coordinators & Modelers (Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD)
• Cost Estimators (CSI Divisions, Quantity Takeoffs)
• Scheduling Experts (Primavera P6, MS Project)
• Preconstruction Engineers
• VDC Coordinators

These professionals are recruited, vetted, and trained to integrate seamlessly with your internal systems and culture.

Case Example: A Mid-Sized GC in Texas

A growing general contractor based in Austin needed to scale its estimating and BIM teams to handle three major bids simultaneously. Their local talent pool was dry, and hiring full-time was not feasible.

Optimar provided a dedicated offshore team of three estimators and two BIM modelers within three weeks. Integrated into the client’s workflows, the remote team worked in the client’s time zone and collaborated daily via Teams and BIM 360.

The client saved over $220,000 in 12 months while hitting all project deadlines and maintaining quality.

Why Optimar?

We specialize in staff augmentation for the AEC industry, with a sharp focus on preconstruction. Our team understands the demands of RFIs, the pace of design-build projects, and the importance of coordination between estimating and design.

• 96% placement success rate
• 92% client retention
• 2.3% annual employee turnover (vs. 18% industry avg)

We handle everything from recruiting and onboarding to compliance and infrastructure so your teams can stay focused on project delivery.

Final Thoughts

Preconstruction is no longer just a phase—it’s the foundation of project success. As projects get more complex and timelines shrink, having the right people in the right roles at the right time becomes a business-critical need.

Staff augmentation is no longer just about saving money. It’s about staying agile, competitive, and resilient.

At Optimar Consulting, we bring over 25 years of experience in building flexible, high-performance preconstruction teams that work as a true extension of your business.

If you’re ready to explore how staff augmentation can support your preconstruction needs, we’re here to help you build smarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is staff augmentation in preconstruction?

Ans. Staff augmentation involves hiring skilled professionals, like BIM modelers or estimators, to work with your team on a contract basis, managed by Optimar Consulting.

Q2: How does staff augmentation benefit preconstruction teams?

Ans. It provides rapid access to global talent, cuts hiring costs by 60-70%, and enables scalable teams to meet project demands efficiently.

Q3: What preconstruction roles can be augmented?

Ans. Common roles include BIM coordinators, cost estimators, scheduling experts, and VDC coordinators, proficient in tools like Revit and Primavera P6.

Q4: How does Optimar ensure seamless integration?

Ans. Optimar Consulting vets and trains professionals to align with your workflows, tools like BIM 360, and project timelines for smooth collaboration.

Q5: Why choose Optimar for preconstruction staff augmentation?

Ans. With 25+ years of AEC expertise, 96% placement success, and 92% client retention, Optimar Consulting delivers tailored solutions for 2025.