Jun 17, 2024 | Commercial Construction

How to Navigate the Commercial Construction Process

Development and Planning

Embarking on a commercial construction project is an exciting endeavor, but it requires careful development and planning to ensure success. As a business owner, one of the most beneficial things you can do to ensure your project’s success is to partner with a construction company who has a deep understanding of the construction process from start to finish.

At Asa Carlton, we put great emphasis on meticulous planning and developing efficient processes at the start, during the pre-construction phase. This time spent collaborating with business owners is a critical step in the process that allows us to establish and nurture strong relationships with our clients.

In this article, we will delve into the importance of understanding the commercial construction process, discuss the typical challenges that may arise, and offer valuable insights on how to navigate and prevent these issues by partnering with a trusted commercial construction partner.

Finding a Location

Finding the right location for a commercial construction project is crucial for its success. Factors to consider include accessibility, proximity to target markets, zoning regulations, and potential growth opportunities.

One of the most significant pain points that business owners often encounter in the commercial construction process is choosing a location, which requires finding a balance between cost and benefits. Striking the right balance between the upfront costs of acquiring a prime location and the long-term advantages it offers can be a daunting challenge.

Navigating the intricate web of zoning regulations and local ordinances, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, can also pose a significant hurdle, especially for business owners with multiple locations across the country. Understanding and complying with these regulations while ensuring the chosen location aligns with the business’s operational needs can be a complex and time-consuming task.

Amidst these challenges, Asa Carlton is here to lend a helping hand. We can provide personalized guidance and leverage our expertise to make the location selection process smoother and less daunting. As a professional commercial construction partner specializing in multi-site builds, rebrands, and refreshes, we have the expertise to evaluate the suitability of potential locations, manage insider knowledge of regional regulations, and adjust to varying site conditions across the United States.

Setting a Budget

A budget serves as a financial roadmap, providing a clear outline of the costs associated with your commercial construction project. A well-defined budget helps you manage your resources effectively, mitigate financial risks, and ensure that your project remains financially viable throughout its lifecycle.

One of the main challenges business owners face in setting a budget for their construction project is uncertainty about costs. It can be challenging to accurately estimate the total expenses associated with a construction project, which can lead to unexpected budget shortfalls or spending more than anticipated. This can happen due to various factors such as fluctuating material prices, labor costs, and unforeseen expenses that arise during the construction process.

Another challenge is scope creep, which refers to changes or additions to the project’s original scope. These changes can arise due to client requests, design modifications, or unforeseen issues discovered during construction. Managing these scope changes within your budget can be tricky, as they can impact both the timeline and the overall cost of the project.

Collaborating with Asa Carlton can help business owners to make informed decisions about budget allocation, cost estimates, and resource planning. By leveraging Asa Carlton’s experience, you can gain insights into market trends, regulatory requirements, and potential cost-saving strategies. We are here to serve as a reliable resource, offering proactive solutions to mitigate potential budgeting issues and optimize your construction project’s bottom line.

Choosing a General Contractor

Choosing the right general contractor for your commercial construction project is crucial, as it can significantly impact the success and quality of your project. A good general contractor brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and resources to the table and works closely with clients to ensure that their projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

When selecting a general contractor for your commercial construction project, it is essential to look for one with a proven track record of success, comprehensive industry knowledge, and expertise in managing projects similar to yours.

As a further resource, Asa Carlton has written an article that delves deeper into all of the things to look for in a general contractor for commercial construction projects. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of what to consider when choosing a contractor and offer guidance on how to ensure that you make an informed decision for your commercial construction project.

Design

Strict design standards are key to maintaining a consistent brand image and optimizing operations for multi-location businesses. Retail, fast food, and healthcare industries, among others, rely on standardized approaches to deliver a familiar and reliable experience to their customers.

In the retail industry, consistent design is essential for creating a recognizable brand identity. Strict design guidelines entail layout, signage, lighting, fixtures, and color schemes. By adhering to these standards, multi-location retail businesses can provide customers with a familiar and comfortable experience across all locations, reinforcing brand loyalty and recognition.

Efficiency and uniformity are critical in fast food restaurant design. Companies often impose strict design guidelines on franchisees to ensure a consistent brand experience no matter the location. These guidelines cover kitchen layouts, ordering counters, seating arrangements, and menu board placements. By adhering to these standards, fast food chains can offer customers a consistent dining experience, fostering brand loyalty and trust.

Healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, have specific design standards to ensure patient safety and optimize workflow. Infection control, accessibility, and privacy regulations play a vital role in healthcare design. Standardized room layouts, equipment placement, signage, and color coding work together to create an efficient healthcare environment, ensuring high-quality care for patients.

At Asa Carlton, we take pride in our deep experience navigating and complying with strict design regulations across various industries and locations in the United States. By partnering with us, business owners can rest assured that their brand will thrive in spaces where consistency, compliance, and customer satisfaction are at the forefront of design.

Construction

Depending on the specific requirements and scope of a project, the construction phase can vary in its intricacies and demands. With Asa Carlton, however, one thing that never waivers is our standard of excellence across all construction projects.  Regardless of the size or complexity of the job, our approach to the construction phase is characterized by meticulous project management, rigorous quality control, and transparent communication, ensuring that every project receives the same high level of attention to detail and dedication to success.

Once the planning and design phase is complete, our team transitions to the construction phase, where we coordinate and manage the physical realization of your project. This involves sourcing and managing subcontractors, overseeing the installation of materials and systems, and ensuring that the construction adheres to the approved designs and specifications

With a strong relationship as our foundation, frequent communication with you, the business owner, is paramount. We provide regular updates, address any concerns, and keep you informed about the status of the build. Throughout the construction phase, our team puts a strong emphasis on project management by diligently tracking progress, managing schedules, and monitoring budgets to ensure that the project stays on track.

Quality control is a top priority during the construction phase. We conduct regular on-site inspections to verify that work is being executed to the highest standards and that all elements of the building meet the approved plans and quality benchmarks. This attention to detail ensures that the final result reflects your vision and meets your expectations.

Post-Construction

Our commitment to excellence doesn’t stop when construction is complete. We strive to deliver a seamless transition from construction to occupancy, providing peace of mind to our clients and ensuring their satisfaction with the final result.

As the construction nears completion, we orchestrate the final touches and inspections to ensure that every detail of the building meets our rigorous standards and our client’s expectations. We then conduct a comprehensive walkthrough with the business owner to address any final adjustments or touch-ups before handing over the completed space.

Why Asa Carlton is Your Trusted Construction Partner

From coast to coast, Asa Carlton has the manpower and resources to ensure a seamless and exceptional experience for our clients. Whether the job is developing new buildings, updating existing spaces, or expanding operations, our team is dedicated to delivering results that exceed expectations. Our approach is anchored in the cultivation of strong, collaborative relationships with our clients, ensuring that every project is guided by a deep understanding of their vision and goals.

If you’re ready to take the next step in realizing your business objectives, let Asa Carlton be your trusted partner in the journey toward success. Contact us today to discover how we can bring your vision to life and elevate your business to new heights.