Commercial construction projects involve the coordination of countless details. Planning remains crucial to ensure the project runs smoothly from start to finish. However, the choice of contractor significantly influences the successful outcome of the project. Individuals requesting a project of this nature need to interview several contractors to find the person or company right for the project. What are some common questions companies face about commercial construction? 

What is the Scope of Commercial Construction? 

Commercial construction projects include a range of activities, such as the design, installation, and maintenance of structural and mechanical components of a building. The projects call for individuals with a superior level of skill and expertise due to the complexity of the work. Most individuals in this field specialize in a particular aspect of the building process. 

Certain companies only handle one type of task when it comes to commercial construction. For instance, a company might choose to specialize in the design of these buildings while another company opts to focus solely on the maintenance of completed structures. By specializing, a company can ensure the job is handled efficiently and meets all standards. 

Other companies, such as general contracting firms, take on all tasks related to commercial construction. Specific departments handle the different tasks and employ individuals with the skills needed to carry out the work. These companies tend to be large and own the equipment needed to complete all jobs. One benefit of working with a general contracting company is each project is assigned a project manager who oversees the coordination of all tasks associated with the project.

When a general contractor chooses to work with different companies that specialize in a certain type of task, they become responsible for coordinating these tasks. The company might choose to assign this job to someone within the organization or hire an outside party to manage certain aspects of the project. A company should consider the benefits and drawbacks of each option before proceeding with the project. 

Residential Vs. Commercial Construction

Residential and commercial construction projects differ in a variety of ways. For example, the use of the property changes with the project being tackled. Commercial projects are designed for business operations and are used to generate profits. A project of this nature involves the building, leasing, and selling of different components. As a result, a commercial project tends to be much larger than a residential one. 

In addition, commercial projects are of a larger scope and scale of operations. As a result, they require more expertise to complete. Residential projects focus on homes and apartments. They are designed for families rather than generating profits. 

Every construction project must comply with all building codes. Nevertheless, commercial construction projects remain more complicated. The person overseeing the project must focus on not only the structure but also on parking spaces, elevators, safety, and more. 

Advanced machinery must be used to construct a commercial project due to the size of most projects of this type. The company will need cranes, scaffolding, and more to ensure the work is done accurately and in a timely manner. Residential projects rarely need specialized equipment to complete. 

Home construction projects often move at a slower pace than commercial construction ones. Commercial builders must adhere to timelines, schedules, and deadlines. The project must be completed quickly so the owner can begin operations and generate profits. Nevertheless, all work needs to be done accurately and be of the highest quality. The management company must employ skilled labor capable of achieving these goals. 

What is the Cost of Commercial Construction? 

Individuals often want a ballpark estimate when they wish to complete a commercial construction project. Generating this estimate can be challenging, as countless factors go into the calculation. For example, the location of the project and the type of building desired will play roles in the cost, as do the local climate and the local economy. A person will pay more to have a commercial building constructed in New York City than they will to have the same building constructed in Raleigh, North Carolina. For this reason, the company should work with a local commercial construction firm to get an accurate estimate of the project’s cost. 

What are the Duties of Each Party?

As part of the pre-construction process, both parties must come to an agreement regarding various aspects of the project. A detailed contract should be written to outline the duties of each party, among other things. For example, the contract should include a section on the scope of work and performance duties of the builder or contractor. What should a person find in this portion of the contract? 

An owner requesting a commercial construction project will want the contract to detail the work to be undertaken by the company along with information on how the work will be done. Include information about how unforeseen events will be handled, the expected quality of work, deadlines for the project, and more.

Ensure complete descriptions are used for all aspects of the contract. It is important to include this type of language because it helps provide safeguards if problems should arise.  Contract writing ensures proactivity on a project rather than reactivity. 

Never rush the process of choosing a construction company for your commercial project. Ask as many questions as are necessary to allow you to feel comfortable with the contractor or builder. If a person is unwilling to answer the questions, they aren’t the right person for the job. It’s your project, and you need to find someone you feel is equipped to do the job right.  

About J.M. Thompson

Owned by three brothers, JMT serves as a third-generation establishment in North Carolina. Each brother brings extensive construction knowledge to every project. The team consists of highly experienced professionals, among the best in the industry. Owners recognize that their employees determine the strength of the company.