We’re all familiar with commercial construction in some capacity. We’ve seen our neighborhood coffee shops undergo drastic remodels, new medical centers pop up what feels like overnight and vacant land transform into manufacturing plants. However, many of us still have questions about what commercial construction entails.
In short, commercial construction applies to the industry of building, remodeling or demolishing industrial, medical, retail and office properties.
Who Works in Commercial Construction
Similar to residential construction, commercial construction has many moving parts that vary based on the project’s complexity. Typically, commercial projects include a general contractor, who is responsible for the daily management of the entire project, including vendors and trades. Under the guidance of the general contractor, these trades or subcontractors perform the construction work. Examples of subcontractors may include plumbers, electricians, carpenters and masons.
The general contractor serves as the key point between the owner or client and the construction team. A skilled general contractor will provide consistent communication while ensuring the project continues on time and budget.
What are the Types of Commercial Construction Projects?
Though there are many types of subcategories, commercial construction projects typically fall into these three main categories: ground up, or new, construction, interior tenant build out and commercial remodeling. These three categories encompass all stages of a building’s lifecycle.
Ground Up Construction
Similar to the name, these construction projects literally start from the ground up. Projects can start with absolutely no infrastructure or they can require the demolition of old structures. Ground up construction projects offer clients the highest level of customization.
Interior Tenant Build Out
Think back to when a new store or restaurant opened in your town. They most likely utilized interior tenant build out to take a previous space and make it fit their needs. It’s often significantly cheaper for tenants to move into an existing space and complete a remodel than it is to start from scratch.
Commercial Remodeling
As is the case with residential, commercial construction projects eventually need upgrades. Whether it’s changing a lay out to better fit customer needs or tearing up the horrible shag carpet, commercial spaces can better serve their occupants through key tweaks. We usually find that clients who love their location, but not their space opt for this service.