Whether you’re planning to build a new company from the ground up, or expand an existing business, starting a commercial construction project can be an exciting time. It’s easy to let your imagination run wild with possibilities, but before you get too carried away, there are some important things to keep in mind.
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Select the perfect location
In just about any business, location matters, but oftentimes constructing a new building from the ground up limits what you can actually build. Are you planning to build a twenty-story apartment high-rise? You might have trouble acquiring permits to build such a monument in certain areas of town. If you’re planning to build a warehouse for storage of raw materials, you’ll likely have to adjust your location accordingly as well.
Selecting the right location for your construction project also requires that you consider the ground itself. Can the soil support a new structure, or will you need to dig and pour concrete? Is the location close to sea-level? You may have to dig a retention pond to adjust for this as well.
As you work towards selecting the perfect location for your construction project, it may be helpful to consult with an engineer, contractor, or construction company.
Layout a plan in detail
Having a solid plan is essential to the success of any project -let alone a construction project. In the construction industry, safety is of the utmost importance, so every detail of the plan should be thought through, bearing this in mind.
To start out, you should consult with a designer to create a general vision for what the finished product will look like. Once you have a good idea, or general direction, it will be easier for the architect to take over.
You’ll need to consult with an architect in order to create a plan for the contractor or construction company to use during the building process. This plan is called a schematic, and may need to be revised depending on how happy you are with the design. Some construction companies are able to give you a design they’ve used in the past, and customize it to fit your specific needs, like this one.
Create a budget and stick to it
Commercial construction projects are notoriously expensive. It’s usually a good sign if you have the funds for a project of this scale to begin with, but it’s also important to create a budget and stick to it. Once you have a finalized construction plan, you’ll be able to better determine how much money it will cost to complete.
Everything from materials to labor should be accounted for in your budget. You should also leave room for error. Sometimes tools and materials will cost more than expected, and other times in climate weather can bring a fast-paced project to a grinding halt.
You simply never know what can happen, so it’s always best to keep some funds allocated for emergencies.
Acquire your permits
Before any construction project can begin in any physical capacity, you’re going to need to acquire permits. Once you have a piece of land in mind that you know will be suitable for your project, you’re going to need to acquire a zoning permit. Zoning permits determine what types of structures can be built in certain areas, so it’s essential to have a zoning permit for your commercial construction project.
Once you have the zoning permit ready to go, then you can apply for a building permit which allows you to build your pre-approved design on that particular plot of land.
Set a timeline
Creating a timeline should be done both on your own, based on the time requirements of your business, and in conjunction with a contractor or construction company. You need to have a good idea of when you want your project to be completed so that you can request bids from construction companies during the next phase of the project.
If you need the new space for your company as soon as possible, it will affect the price of the bids you receive, just as it would if you don’t need the project completed for an entire year.
Choose the right construction company
Choosing the right construction company is one of the most important steps during any commercial construction project. If you already have a company in mind, request a bid from them, but also do your own research, read customer satisfaction reviews, and visit projects they’ve previously completed to get a better idea of how well each contractor or construction company works.
Be prepared for the worst
As we mentioned earlier, make sure you allocate funds from your budget for emergency purposes only. You never know when inclimate weather or natural disasters will hit, so working with a licensed and insured construction company is vital to the success of your commercial construction project.
Conclusion
Expanding your business or building a new company from the ground up is an exciting, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience. If you keep these seven tips in mind before starting, we think your construction project will go off without a hitch!
