It seems like no matter where you go, new buildings are being erected, or old ones are being torn down and transformed or renovated. Whether it’s metal barns or commercial garages, commercial building construction is on the rise and there’s plenty of demand, especially since it seems that the United States economy is back on the upward swing. With the new digital age and a bevy of wires, connections, and digital needs, commercial building construction may be changing, to fit IT services and their needs for anti virus protection, data recovery, and general managed IT services. More and more people want to be linked in, even when they’re on the go, so the capability for WiFi and charging stations is being implemented in many new areas. Reliance on computers is steadily growing, so server rooms are being built into commercial buildings as well, often with special protection to avoid data breaches.
What Does Commercial Building Construction Cover?
Commercial building construction can include office buildings, hotels and motels, food service buildings (restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.,) retail stores, including malls, warehouses, gas stations, entertainment buildings, and anything that sells a service or a product within its walls. It does not include hospitals, schools, factories, or infrastructure. The commercial building industry is comprised of people who not only do new construction, but also companies that focus on additions, maintenance, renovations, and repairs to existing buildings. General contractors and project managers play a heavy role in bidding for projects and managing them.
How Big Is the Industry?
In general, the construction industry is strong in the United States, with a market share of about 10%, it’s the second largest market for construction around the world. There are almost eight million production workers in the construction industry and that number is on the rise. Indeed, Dodge Data predicted in its 2016 Construction Outlook report that single-family construction would go up by 20% this year and multifamily construction would go up 7% after a few years of increasing by double digits. Things are looking good in particular for commercial construction, as more private sector companies sink their money into property and real estate.
What Sorts of Things Do the Commercial Construction Companies Take Care Of?
Some construction companies may offer custom buildings and plans for a client’s perusal, with the addition to add on extra features to the outside and inside. The company will then oversee the entire process, from planning to the final building. Their team of sales consultants, construction crews, architects, and more allow a client to breeze through the construction process without having to sweat design, oversight, or much time.
They pay attention to current trends in the marketplace and what customers are looking for in a building and surrounding property, to make sure their clients are satisfied with the end result. That’s another detail you won’t have to worry about! Naturally, the industry hires its own construction crews and project managers to oversee the building or remodeling as well.
What Should I Look For In a Commercial Construction Company?
The most arduous step of the process should be choosing the commercial construction company that’s right for you. You want to take your time and make sure it’s done right — research what companies are out there and what their backgrounds are like. Websites can be helpful here, so you can look at reviews and comments previous clients may have made.
Interview potential contractors once you’ve narrowed down your list and find out if they have all the requirements needed — insurance policies, safety and health policies, etc. A company who cares about the well-being of their workers is probably going to do a better job on your building than one who just wants to get the job done fast. Lastly, speak to previous clients if you can, and see what their opinions were. This can be the deciding factor in many cases.
The commercial building construction industry looks as though it will continue to increase for awhile, changing and adapting to reflect our society’s changes. If you’re looking for a new construction company, be sure to take your time and do the research necessary.
