5 Common Commercial Construction Project Issues

There’s no denying that commercial construction projects are complex. From design to construction to the final inspection, there are lots of moving parts and variables at play. If you’re planning a new commercial project or just interested in learning more about how these projects work, here are five common issues you might encounter.

Communication

Communication is the foundation of a successful project. It’s not just about receiving instructions; it’s also about giving them. If you’re in charge of a commercial construction project and have been tasked with communicating with your team, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Be clear about what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. Make sure everyone on the team is on the same page about what tasks need to be completed and the deadline for each activity. This will help everyone stay organized, which makes for a better outcome overall!
• Communicate effectively with all parties involved. Keep in mind that there may be more than one person working on your job site at any given time–not just members of your own crew! While they might not speak English as their first language or may not understand technical terms or acronyms used by others within your field (or even yourself), taking extra care when communicating with them can go a long way toward ensuring that nothing gets lost along the way between initial planning stages through completion phases including post-construction reviews with clients themselves.

Schedule of Costs

A schedule of costs is a list of all the costs for a project. It is usually prepared in advance of bidding and is an important part of the bid process. A schedule of costs includes three major categories: labor, materials, and miscellaneous items.

Design

As a general contractor, you may be asked to take on the role of the project designer. While it’s tempting to do this yourself, it’s not recommended. It is important to recognize that the designer must create adequate, complete, and accurate plans. The design should contain enough information so subcontractors know what to do and what materials they need to complete their work.

A qualified architect or engineer should review your design before construction begins. An independent engineer or architect will help ensure your drawings comply with building codes and meet local building standards for safety, accessibility, and other requirements for municipal approval of projects in your jurisdiction. The best way to avoid issues related to design is by reviewing your plans with a qualified contractor before starting construction.

Building Codes

Building codes are the set of rules and regulations that ensure a safe and healthy environment for the occupants of a building. While these may vary by location, their intent is more or less universal. Building codes help prevent fire hazards and other safety issues, but they also ensure that a structure can withstand environmental factors such as wind or water damage.
Building codes are updated regularly based on scientific research into new building materials, technology, and techniques. Local governments enforce them through regular inspections to ensure that builders have followed the rules when constructing or renovating existing structures.

Ownership Rights

One of the most common issues in commercial construction projects is ownership rights. This issue can be one of the most difficult to resolve because it involves real estate and land use law, which is a very complicated area of law to navigate. To understand this problem, imagine you’re building a new shopping mall. You’ll need major utility lines to provide power, water, and sewer service. At some point during construction, you’ll encounter an existing utility line that runs through your property but isn’t yours (or doesn’t belong to anyone). Who owns what? And who pays for what? These are questions that need answering before any progress can be made on your project.

The construction process is complex and can be difficult to navigate and learn more about commercial construction project issues might be able to support your next project. To make sure your project goes smoothly and according to plan, it’s important that you understand the many issues that can arise during construction and how to solve them.

Questions about hiring a commercial construction management firm?  TBI Contracting has helped many companies in the Pittsburgh area, delivering quality projects – on time and on a budget! Give us a call to learn more at (412) 896-1455.