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The Commercial Construction Process From Start to Finish

The commercial construction process from start to finish includes planning and development, design and programming, pre-construction, and construction.

The process of constructing a new commercial building can be overwhelming. Without a proper strategy, you may not see the big picture. If you a project manager or developer, you probably have a variety of commercial buildings to supervise. To effectively manage your team, learn the commercial construction process from start to finish.

commercial construction process from start to finish

Planning and Development

The first step in commercial construction is planning and development, which entails:

  • Determining the location of the territory

  • Pre-designing

  • Hiring the general contractor and architect

  • Consultations with the project team

Arrange for a meeting with your team to communicate your ideas and ensure everyone is on the same page. The purpose of these meetings is to come up with a budget, construction design, and a construction plan. Conduct thorough research of project requirements before this.

A good construction plan should reflect the most important items. These include the estimated expenses, time frame, contracts, and payment processes, etc. Advise your team on the design to minimize chances of failure. Each element of the new building should include a design plan plus the estimated cost.

Make these construction specifications right at the beginning. Otherwise, there will be lots of unwanted mistakes. Consider creating punch lists from time to time to avoid missing important things.

Design and Programming

Architects and contractors play an important role in designing. Once they create a model, it becomes easier to estimate the costs. It is good to research the current market price to see how you can save in the budget.

The contractors and architects should maintain open communication lines. This ensures smooth execution of the design process. It is also very important for the design to comply with the building codes and regulations.

Pre-Construction

Get price quotes from different vendors and contractors. For the best results, request quotes from at least 3 vendors and perform budget analysis. Next, obtain an insurance policy and the required building permits. Ensure that your team has the following stakeholders:

  • Contract administrator: deals with contracts

  • Field engineer: manages paperwork and investigates the site condition

  • Superintendent: maintains the project schedule and coordinates the construction activities

You should gather the required equipment, labor force, and materials before starting the construction process. The materials needed and the order of construction depend on two things. One is the functionality and the other is the design of the building.

The construction work might be too much for the general contractor. If so, subcontractors can help in specific areas of the project such as glass, concrete, and woodwork.

Construction Phase

The construction life cycle begins with the groundbreaking. But before that, determine the working hours, quality control, and storage of materials. It is also important to involve a state construction inspector in every step of the process.

The construction stage transforms an empty site into a dream building. With pricing documents and drawings in order, it becomes easier to move the commercial construction process from start to finish. Your site managers should be your right-hand men. Discuss all the site details with them to avoid mishaps in this critical stage. You might want to monitor the construction site remotely to make work easier.

After the commercial building is complete, don’t forget to review a punch list. The list contains walk-through items like broken floors and faulty paint. After taking care of all the items, a final inspection is necessary. Finally, the owner may occupy the building.

Are you ready to manage your next commercial construction? You now have an overview of what to expect. Let the above 4 steps inspire your project management plan.

Image via Shutterstock by studiovin