Many steps occur throughout the process of building a commercial building. The building phase is only one piece of the project. The planning stages before design and construction begin are crucial to preventing issues before they arise, saving money, and project satisfaction.
Construction management professionals understand how vital these planning steps are to new construction projects and property renovations. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to help you take full advantage of them to reduce problems during your commercial construction project.
Step 1: Planning and Development
Many argue the planning phase is the most critical phase of a commercial construction project.
Throughout the planning and development phase, your commercial construction team will need to:
- Find a location that matches your costs, and is ideal for your business. Since most cities have zoning requirements for the type of construction permitted, before purchasing the site and starting construction, find out the types of buildings allowed.
- Ensure that the utilities to the site meet the building’s needs.
- Study the soil to determine if the structure will need additional reinforcement.
- Conduct a boundary survey that includes the locations of any easements and certifies the site’s elevation. If the land requires replating to subdivide it into smaller parcels, you will need approval from multiple departments in the city or county.
- Plan the budget to avoid issues.
- Choose a General Contractor with expertise and experience.
Step 2: Pre-Design
Pre-design aims to outline the specific needs of your commercial project. During this phase, those working on the project will determine some crucial elements that will be important for the rest of the commercial building’s construction phases, such as:
- Construction cost estimates
- The general commercial construction timeline
- The general orientation of the structure
- The materials and equipment necessary for construction and costs.
- The number, sizes, and purposes of rooms in the building.
Following the pre-design phase, you can acquire engineers that outline the more specific information in the design phase.
Step 3: The Design
The commercial construction design phase requires detailed drawings and schematics of the building. Several engineers need to ensure the building’s structural integrity and code compliance. Once this step is completed, the major portions of your commercial construction project can begin.
Step 4: Pre-Construction
Among the steps to building a commercial building, the pre-construction phase is the one that most heavily deals with paperwork. During this stage, your project needs to get the required permits and insurance for those on the site. You will also take vendor bids during this step to ensure the procurement phase meets budgetary expectations. Lastly, you should establish the field team for the project’s site work.
Step 5: Procurement
The procurement stage is necessary for keeping projects within the budget. Acquiring additional unaccounted-for services and materials can cause the overall construction to exceed its budget. That’s why it’s important to find a balance between your budget and construction materials that will last.
Step 6: Construction
A significant portion of the project will involve preparing the site for construction. Site preparation prevents future problems with the building’s structural integrity and safety.
Site Preparation
The site preparation phase turns the plot of land into a working job site. Site preparations begin with the groundbreaking. Temporary work buildings and storage facilities are erected to provide locations for the management team and to provide equipment, tools, and materials with a secure storage location.
Commercial Construction
The most important part of the construction phase is erecting the building. First, the foundation is poured-out with concrete. Next, the building’s framework is set in place. Once framed, the building adds its roof and siding. Before the internal walls go up, the electrical systems, plumbing, and the HVAC system’s ductwork inside the walls will be installed.
The internal work is done next as required by the plans. Meanwhile, external work involves creating exterior walls, inserting windows if not already done, and placing exterior doors. The care placed into this stage of the project will ensure the satisfaction of the occupants and neighbors.
Step 7: Post-Construction
The building is not completely ready for occupants until the legal compliance and safety of the building are approved. During the post-construction phase, you’ll evaluate the quality of the project, and note them in a punch list. Only after all the items on the punch list undergo corrections can you receive a certificate of substantial completion from the architect.
