Commercial construction is much more than just building. There are multiple stages involved to get to the end result. To put it into perspective, the commercial construction process usually takes around 4 to 6 months per 10,000 square feet, give or take.
While there are multiple stages of the commercial construction process, they are not always linear. Sometimes permits and delays can get in the way. That’s why planning is such an important stage of the process – to ensure things go smoothly!
Here’s a breakdown of each stage of commercial construction so you know what to expect.
Development and Planning
When planning commercial construction, there are a few things you need to decide on to lay the foundation for the rest of the project. First, it’s essential to choose a location. The location of your construction will impact both construction costs and how accessible a property will be to both customers and employees.
You should also decide on your budget ahead of time, which will allow you to take construction costs into account throughout the process. Those in the Melbourne, Florida area can count on Property Renovations and Construction for a free estimate so you know to expect. They can also assist with the development and planning stage!
Pre-Design
The pre-design stage includes mapping out your construction with architects, selecting utilities and orientations, and deciding what fits within your budget. This is also the stage where you will work out contracts with general contractors. Some of the decisions that should be made during this stage include the number of rooms, their sizes, and purposes, as well as which direction the property will face.
Design
After solidifying the plans for your commercial construction process in the pre-design stage, the design stage is when it becomes official. Mechanical, structural, electrical, and/or civil engineers will begin working on your project, and blueprints will be drawn up.
Pre-Construction
Before the construction stage, the plans for your commercial construction must be submitted for permits and approval. Acting as a paperwork-focused stage, this is also the stage during which you will get insurance. During the pre-construction stage, you can also lay out the final timeline for the process and establish the project’s field team.
Procurement
The procurement stage takes place at the same time as pre-construction. This is when your general contractor orders all of the materials that will be needed for the commercial construction. This stage is crucial to staying within your budget; communication is essential to ensure quality of materials is maintained while also taking budget into consideration.
Construction
After each of the previous phases has been taken care of, it’s time to start the construction itself. Site preparation is necessary to turn your plot of land into an actual working site – selecting the days and hours of the project, where materials will be stored, and how workers will enter the site. All vegetation will also be removed during the site preparation.
During the construction process, a foundation is created with concrete before your building’s framework is built. Next, a roof and siding are added. After installing electrical systems, plumbing, and an HVAC system, internal walls will be added. Flooring, windows, doors, and lighting are added next as appropriate. The final step is landscapers adding vegetation such as grass, flowers, or trees.
Post-Construction
After the commercial construction process is complete, post-construction ensures the building is ready for you to move into by ensuring legal compliance and the safety of the building. Your contractor will walk you through the property so you and inspectors can evaluate it for quality. Once you pass building inspection, occupancy is allowed.