Commercial construction is a dynamic industry that is constantly evolving with the needs of the modern business world. New design trends, materials and construction techniques are introduced every year to help contractors stay ahead of the curve and provide tenants with high-quality, cost-effective buildings. However, commercial buildings are not immune to the problems common to all construction projects. There are many potential pitfalls when building a new structure for your business or company, including unexpected cost overruns, shortages in materials, unskilled labor or a lack of proper planning. Knowing what these problems are can help you prepare for any potential issues before construction begins. Anticipating potential issues before they become problems will help keep costs down and help ensure your project stays on schedule - and on budget. Here are some common problems with commercial construction so that you can avoid them before they become issues for your project.
Lack of Planning and Communication
There are many moving parts to a commercial building project, including architects, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, designers, and others. Unfortunately, many of these parties are not familiar with one another and do not communicate effectively. Without a solid planning and communication structure in place, your project will likely experience delays, cost overruns and scope creep - all of which can be very costly to a project. It is imperative that all parties involved in the project are well-informed and understand their roles and responsibilities so there are no communication gaps, misunderstandings or miscommunication. If anything goes wrong during construction, everyone involved will need to know what happened so that it does not happen again on another project.
Lack of Design and Engineering
In commercial construction, the design of the building is as important as the construction itself. If the design of your project is not up to industry standards, you could encounter many problems later on once you open for business. For example, if your building has an insufficient fire-stop system or does not have proper sprinkler systems, you could find yourself with a very expensive repair bill later on if there was a fire. If the building is not properly designed, it may also lead to construction delays and cost overruns. It is often difficult to get architects, engineers and contractors to work together on a project. They may not know each other’s processes or how the others plan to complete the job. Lack of design and engineering can lead to communication problems, inadequate construction and a higher overall project cost.
Change Orders and Additional Work
One of the most common problems in commercial construction is the inclusion of change orders. Change orders are when the cost of the project increases due to unanticipated factors. They are unavoidable, but they can be avoided if everyone involved in the project is well-informed and communicates effectively. For example, if you have a roofer on your project that you have used in the past and everything has gone smoothly, you may assume that there will be no change orders. Unfortunately, this assumption may not be accurate. Roofers often have a reputation for unexpected change orders. Even if this is your first roofing job, it is always a good idea to get a separate estimate for materials and labor. You never know what might happen during construction, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Unqualified or Inexperienced Employees
Commercial construction is generally high-skilled work. Many people who work on commercial projects have specialized training in their fields, including electrical work, plumbing, roofing, and other trades. However, not everyone is trained or skilled enough to work on a construction project. This can cause problems if the workers are not properly trained or skilled. Many commercial construction projects have strict safety regulations that must be followed at all times. If the employees are not properly trained, they may not be able to adhere to these regulations and put themselves, other workers and the public at risk. This can cause serious problems for your project, including increased cost, delays and a lack of proper code compliance.
Unqualified or Inexperienced Contractor
Commercial construction projects often require a general contractor to oversee the project and manage the various trades involved. However, many contractors are unqualified or inexperienced when it comes to commercial construction. This can be a serious problem because commercial projects require a high level of expertise. If the contractor is not properly trained or experienced, the project may not go as planned, which can lead to serious problems and delays. This will likely lead to additional costs, including higher material costs and possible fines from the government.
Poor Project Management
Every commercial construction project is unique and has many moving parts that must be managed and coordinated properly throughout the project. If anything goes wrong, the project will likely be delayed, cost overruns will occur and the quality of the building will likely suffer. This is why it is important to hire a project manager for your project. A project manager will be responsible for managing the project from start to finish, making sure all of the necessary parties are informed and up-to-date on the progress of the project. This will help keep the project on schedule and on budget and help avoid many of the common problems with commercial construction.
Conclusion
Commercial construction is a dynamic industry that is constantly evolving with the needs of the modern business world. New design trends, materials and construction techniques are introduced every year to help contractors stay ahead of the curve and provide tenants with high-quality, cost-effective buildings. However, commercial buildings are not immune to the problems common to all construction projects. There are many potential pitfalls when building a new structure for your business or company, including unexpected cost overruns, shortages in materials, unskilled labor or a lack of proper planning. Knowing what these problems are can help you prepare for any potential issues before construction begins. Anticipating potential issues before construction begins can help keep costs down and help ensure your project stays on schedule - and on budget.