COMMONWEALTH ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: WHAT GOES INTO A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Introduction Are you thinking of starting your own business from scratch? Do you want to build your business empire from the ground up… literally? If so, you’re talking about commercial building construction. But a lot more goes into this that simply meeting with architects and hiring builders. You need to go through every meticulous step to make sure the building is safe, up to codes & laws of the area, and is functional for your intended use. While this short article is going to be far from a comprehensive guide, it will give you a general idea of what stages go into commercial building construction project. Let’s get started.
1. Planning & Design Stage The planning & design stages are perhaps the most important of them all, and it’s also likely the longest (and most expensive). It’s during this stage where you need to plan out everything to do with your business and the construction of your new building. You need to research and find a location for the project. Once you’ve narrowed down some locations, you’ll need to have a battery of tests and evaluations done to ensure it’s safe and up to code. This includes commercial energy efficiency tests, adjusting and following a budget for project cost, environmental hazard tests, soil testing, etc.After having the necessary tests done, you’ll need to either purchase or rent the property you’re planning on using. You’ll also need to make sure that everything is up to code, the proper permits have been obtained, you have the right licenses, insurance, etc. This is a lot to handle, so you might want to consider hiring a company that specializes in this part of the process (also known as “Design-Build” specialists).
It’s during this stage that you’ll also need to be interviewing and hiring both contractors and an architect. It’s best to hire locally since local workers will be most familiar with the guidelines of your state, county, or city. A construction project in MA should hire a Massachusetts electrical contractor, a Boston architect, etc, etc. Ensure that the designers (architects, interiors, etc) include detailed schematics detailing materials, cost, textures, colors, and any other information possible. This will make the construction stage more seamless, help you stick to a budget, and get approval for the project faster. This includes both true “design” (the look and function of each space) as well as the design of electrical wiring, beams, alarm systems, water, power, and others.
2. Procurement Stage Once everything has been planned and all of the design schematics are finalized, you need to gather and purchase all of the necessary materials to actually start building. You’ll want to get quotes from a variety of sources in order to get the best deal and the best materials. Ask your contractors and architects for connections or recommendations on vendors and subcontractors. You’ll need to purchase the materials, yes, but also all the equipment, workers, labor, and other things necessary.Make sure you keep meticulous paperwork, invoices, and purchase orders in your records.
3. Building Stage At last: it’s time to build! Almost all projects have the following base stages that need to be completed. 1) Foundation, 2) Electrical, and 3) Water/Plumbing. Those things must be inspected and approved before moving onto the next stage of construction. You’ll often need to pass multiple inspections throughout the project to ensure you’re up to code & safety regulations. If there are issues or problems, you won’t be able to continue until you receive the go-ahead. As construction continues, make sure you’re following the right general timeline and budget. Meet with the contractors and architect regularly to check on progress, fix any issues that may arise, and make sure that you’re staying on schedule/budget.
4. POST-CONSTRUCTION Once everything is built, installed, and completed, you’ll need to receive a final building inspection before you can open for business. This could also include getting a business license post-commercial building construction, so make sure you follow all of the steps before getting going. Post-construction steps will vary depending on your city and state, so make sure you understand the specific steps you need to take. Most states require a Certificate of Occupancy and a final releases of liens from their contractors. You also need to ensure that you’ve made all the payments for equipment, material, and labor as you can be charged fines if you fail to do so.
Sources https://comelectrical.com/service/energy-efficiency/ https://comelectrical.com/ https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-building-regulation-andstandards https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-is-a-certificate-ofoccupancy-2125096
