When taking on any type of construction, it is critical that you have a good understanding of the job, the site, and the local community. All of these pieces are important to finishing the job on schedule and staying within budget. Continue reading to find out why you should hire a company that specializes in commercial construction.
What Is Commercial Construction?
Commercial construction is work that happens in the private sector. This construction includes office buildings, retail shopping centers, warehouses, and industrial buildings. Typically, developers, business owners, or managers hire general contractors to remodel or build their commercial buildings. General contractors oversee and build the project in different areas. They can work in both residential and commercial settings. Some contractors specialize in one or other, while a few handle both. Most of the time, a general contractor hires subcontractors to work on the project. Depending on how large the business is, the general contractor may not have all the knowledge in areas such as sewer and drain service within their own company. Therefore, they hire those within specific fields to ensure they have the most knowledgeable person on the job.
Why Is It Important To Have A Company Specializing In Commercial Construction?
A company specializing in commercial construction has a better grasp of the commercial side of construction. They have knowledge and expertise that someone who handles only residential construction may not have. They are better able to make recommendations about items like commercial concrete construction. A commercial construction company is able to reduce costs and shorten the build schedule. These builders understand how the client runs a business and creates revenue. A commercial builder knows that every day the construction continues means that the client may not be operational.
Commercial buildings require special equipment and services that a residential area does not. It uses heavy equipment like front-end loaders, excavators, and boom lifts. These machines require specialized operators. Special services include commercial generator services and a commercial sprinkler system. A commercial contractor has the resources to obtain appropriate equipment and the necessary workforce for this type of work. Commercial construction requires commercial-grade materials. You should not install just anything into a commercial-grade property. There needs to be careful planning and execution every step along the way, including window installations and air condition service. All project parts are important, but special attention is needed for items like drainage, building envelope, and HVAC. A commercial contractor understands the industry and what materials are required for each. For example, a hotel needs things that a school does not. A restaurant needs things that a library does not. It is essential for the contractor to understand these nuances. Commercial contractors have relationships with suppliers to obtain commercial-grade materials for specific jobs at reasonable prices and on time.
Main Types Of Commercial Construction
While commercial construction covers a wide range of structures, there are some common projects that occur within the commercial construction purview. These include restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, shopping malls, medical buildings, and sports complexes. In addition, there are areas of accommodation that fall under commercial construction, which includes apartment buildings and hotels. Another common area of commercial construction is institutional buildings like universities, high schools, and learning centers. Each one has a different need that is critical during the construction process. A commercial contractor ensures that each structure and project has all the necessary pieces.
Commercial Construction Scale
There are different levels of construction. It is essential that the commercial contractor you hire has experience with the particular scale project you need. This level of experience impacts the quote you receive and the ability for the project to be finished on time. Small scale projects include redesigns of offices and any structural upgrades. Most commercial building repairs fall under small-scale construction. These types of jobs are more affordable and require a minimal amount of workers on the job. There are usually fewer specialties involved. The work often focuses on one particular area, like HVAC work. This work is usually more cosmetic in nature but can include creating more open space, adding extensions, or rebranding the look of a business.
Medium-scale commercial construction is usually when the building requires a complete upgrade. Often these buildings have been in place for a while, and it is looking worn. The materials and structure are getting old and need some refurbishing. This work often includes restructuring the building, adding on an expansion to the facility, completing remodels, and adding commercial metal roofing. These projects are more significant and more time-consuming than small-scale projects. Large-scale commercial construction projects are usually a brand new build. A large-scale commercial construction project is a job that starts from the ground. There is no structure already in place, or if there is, it is being demolished. The commercial contractor works with an architect or developer to create a design that matches the business owner’s vision. This type of construction requires preparation, development, and pre-construction planning to ensure it is successful. The land is purchased, and zoning is handled before the construction can begin in a large-scale project.
Stages Of Construction
When considering commercial construction work, you should be aware of the six stages of construction. The first few stages include designing and planning. The design aspect is the stage where the business owner discusses their vision for the project. This stage may include searching for a location and conceptual design. This could take days to years, depending on the size and the scope of the project. During the design, the feasibility of the project is discussed, and plans are made. All the objectives are determined during this process, including size, space, and cost.
Another stage is permitting and meeting state regulations. Permits help keep the contractors and subcontractors safe throughout construction. Licenses are required for areas like electrical and plumbing systems, heating, air conditioning, and land use. The next stage is pre-construction, and you have an entire team assembled. During this stage, the group visits the field to do soil testing and environmental assessments. This step helps determine if any additional steps must be taken.
The next stage is procurement which is when the materials are ordered, equipment is obtained, and extra labor is hired. Construction shortly follows. This stage kicks off with a common understanding of quality control, budget, work hours, and material storage. When there is not sufficient planning during this stage, it leads to budget problems and delays in the project. Planning is essential for a seamless project and to ensure nothing goes wrong. The final stage is post-construction. This stage begins after all of the work is completed. There is an inspection of the entire building, and as long as everything is done correctly, the inspections pass. There are inspections throughout the process that help the final inspection pass. Once the owner is satisfied, the building is turned over, and there is a warranty to cover the work.
Services And Subcontractors
Most of the time, a commercial contractor and general contractor hire subcontractors, such as siding companies. This hiring practice happens not only when the commercial contractor is a large organization with several departments that covers all the services and areas needed in construction. These specialists can include electricians, roofers, plumbers, and bricklayers. It is critical that subcontractors are highly qualified to do the work. National commercial contractors may hire local workers without thoroughly vetting them. This type of hiring can result in subpar services in a commercial building. It is essential for a commercial contractor to know the entire team and build relationships within the group. This enables them to work together to achieve the common goal of finishing the project. Not only does the contractor need to lead the team, but they also listen to the team. The workers are on the ground level in the construction mix every day. They may see things that the overall contractor does not see. This helps to strengthen communication and foster an element of trust. Every person on the team has a clearly defined role with appropriate amounts of guidance and oversight.
Benefits Of Hiring Local
A commercial contractor is responsible for hiring people to work on the project. When the contractor is a nationwide employee, they do not know the local area or the people within. On the other hand, a local contractor has relationships with the workers in the area and knows who can provide the highest quality work in each area. Hiring local commercial contractors offers better and faster communication. When it comes to construction, meet face-to-face to review the questions, concerns, or problems. This allows easy access to the contractors and peace of mind to the owner. When there are delays and miscommunication, it is frustrating to the owner. When utilizing local contractors, there is less budget money spent on travel. When the contractors live in the local area, there is no spending for hotels, transportation, and food. All of the budgets can be spent on the construction of the building.
A local contractor has awareness of the local weather and can create a schedule based on a true awareness of weather concerns. They also have an understanding of local governments and regulations. This helps to avoid mistakes and missteps that can cost a significant amount of time and money. In addition, local commercial contractors offer more substantial design flexibility. A national company is often focused on creating a specific type of building that fits into a template. However, a smaller company is more likely to be flexible with unique designs and think outside the template box. This makes a local company able to focus on a variety of needs and a good fit for any project.
Parking Lot Concerns
There are a significant amount of concerns for a parking lot striping business. When it comes to parking lots, it is critical to get the maximum amount of spaces available in the lot. It is vital to ensure there is substantial spacing and spots for disability parking. Being in compliance with ADA requirements is critical to eliminate fines, prevent lawsuits and poor relationships. There are some requirements mandated by the law of which you should be aware before you begin planning a commercial parking lot. In addition to legal mandates, there are some steps you can take to provide a better experience for customers. Many customers will avoid visiting businesses if they do not have easy access to the building. This includes having an easily accessible parking lot close to the building and even an automatic door. The parking lot should have enough room to move around and parking. Having a well-planned parking lot can prevent a hazardous environment which could lead to lawsuits. Some items for consideration in a parking lot include rumbles strips instead of speed bumps and speed limit signs. Another recommendation is to create aisles that move only in one direction. You should add a pedestrian walkway that is raised to allow pedestrians to know where the walkway is located. You also want to ensure there is sufficient lighting.
When you have a commercial construction project, you should consider hiring a contractor that is local and is experienced with commercial construction. You want a contractor that handles only commercial work. This provides a good amount of benefits to cost, schedule, and services. You want to ensure that you are hiring the best company for your project to reduce the number of costly mistakes you may have.
