What is Commercial Construction?
Commercial construction designs may be offices, medical plazas, retail shopping centers, manufacturing plants, or just about anywhere else that business is practiced.
Unlike home construction, which is focused on the personal goals and desires of the client, commercial construction depends on successful planning and execution to produce the most value at the least cost and time for the business.
Clients depend on the knowledge and local expertise of the commercial construction company that they choose in everything from picking a site, to creating a design, to successfully and quickly completing the construction.
Who Needs Commercial Construction?
There is a lot of diversity in the range of businesses served by commercial construction, so there is also great diversity in the size and scale of construction projects. Projects include completely new construction and updating and rebranding of existing structures. Even the government may contract with a commercial construction company for the building of federal construction projects.
New or Expanding Businesses
Whether you are just starting out with a brick-and-mortar building or your business has expanded, requiring you to build something new, it can be anxiety-provoking to make the significant investment into a brand new building.
An experienced commercial construction company will work with you through every step of planning so that you know exactly what you are getting and how much it will cost. Demand a carefully thought-out plan which has taken into consideration every alternative to make decisions that offer the best value for you.
Customized Commercial Construction for Changing Businesses
Businesses may outgrow previous structures, requiring updates to accommodate a greater customer flow. Remodeling is often much more cost-effective than buying a new property, but if additions aren't made carefully the result may be unattractive or inefficient.
Businesses that require commercial construction to update an existing building for greater business flow need to use a contractor who knows how to design for aesthetics and function.
When is it Time to Contract a Commercial Construction Company?
If you've noticed that your competitors are offering modern spaces while your lobby has become more dated with the passing time, it may be time for some updates. Maybe your business has grown more rapidly than expected and now the line wraps out the door at busy times. Perhaps your home-based business or rental property has been serving your needs for some time, but you now have the budget to expand into your own space.
If you are wondering what should be your next investment, a building that is modern, attractive, and meets the needs of your company may be just what you need to propel your business forward into further success.
Choosing a Commercial Construction Company
Once you have made the decision to invest in commercial construction updates or a new building for your business, the next decision is: Where will you go to for this incredibly important construction?
There are many commercial construction companies from which to choose. Picking the wrong one can bring frustration, hassle, lost money, and interruptions to workflow. Here is what to look for when choosing a commercial construction company.
Experience
Choose a contractor that has successfully completed lots of projects in a wide range of areas, with extensive experience in the type of construction that your business requires. It’s best if a company has done a project similar to yours with results that you like. Such a company will be able to set your mind at ease that they have the know-how you need.
Established & Well-Reviewed
Make sure that the company you choose has an attractive brick-and-mortar building of their own. They should be an established member of their community. Understanding of the local culture and tastes will help inform important decisions about the site and design of your building.
A good commercial construction company won't struggle to provide references for projects that they have completed successfully in your area. In fact, they should have a well-stocked portfolio full of successful projects for you to examine.
Know Costs Early
It isn't practical for you to expect to know the complete cost of your project at the very beginning, but you should get a good estimate of overall costs early in the project. Look for a company that offers to provide you with a complete estimate of the cost including all of the details of your project relatively early in the planning stages, before you have spent too much of your overall budget.
Communication is Key
Regardless of the details of your project, you will spend a good deal of time working with your commercial construction company. Choose a company that communicates clearly and is available when they say they will be. Don't be shy about demanding complete openness and plenty of information throughout the project.
Speed
A closed storefront is terrible for business. The most high-quality and well-designed construction isn’t worth the cost of huge amounts of lost business. If you need to close your doors or you expect business to be reduced while construction is ongoing, it is important to choose a construction company that offers a speedy turnaround time for your project while still meeting your needs and offering high-quality construction.
Services to look for
Not all commercial construction companies offer the same services, even if they may meet the criteria above. Here are some things to look for when choosing the specific services that your company may need for their commercial construction project.
Site Location and Selection
If you assume that it is up to you to choose the best location for your new business, think again. A good commercial construction company that is knowledgeable about your area will have extensive experience and expertise in both finding and buying the ideal location for your specific type of business. if you are hoping to update an existing business, the company you choose should be able to assess both the site and the building to determine whether it meets your criteria.
Visualization
You may not be a visual thinker. After all, that may be why you are so excited about choosing a knowledgeable commercial construction company to create a building that meets your business needs and brand perfectly. If the construction company can't communicate their ideas to you, it may be difficult for you to know whether you will be happy with the result. A good commercial construction company will use tools like digital visualization to make it easy for you to imagine what the finished project will look like.
Complete Planning
If any contractor who you are considering expects you to take plans to somebody else to finish the job, go elsewhere for your construction needs. A good commercial construction company should be with you from the beginning of planning and site acquisition all the way through to a finished building.
Permit Acquisition and Regulatory Analysis
The company that you choose should be able to process all of the paperwork and consider all of the local and national laws to determine everything that needs to be done so that your business will be built according to all relevant regulations.
Find the Best Commercial General Contractor for Your Needs
AZTEC Building Systems was established in 1965, so you can feel confident that they have the experience and established reputation to set your mind at ease about contracting with them. They have created over 2,300 projects, both commercial and Industrial, in 17 states. This makes them one of the most experienced commercial construction contractors in Oklahoma.
Total Design-Build Solutions for Commercial Construction
AZTEC takes full responsibility for your design and construction experience, from conception to completion. They have earned an excellent reputation because of their consistent high-performing record and ability to meet their client’s needs in regard to cost, speed, and quality. Their two-phase approach enables them to repeatedly exceed their client’s expectations.
Phase One: Know Cost and Schedule at the beginning
In the preliminary design and budgeting phase, you will work with AZTEC to define cost and schedule. This stage costs a very small percentage of the total project cost, but it is excellent at projecting the total cost and schedule for the whole project.
Don't be left wondering when construction will be completed and how much it will cost you. Find out this important information at the beginning so that you can plan accordingly and be certain that your decisions regarding design line up with your budget.
Phase two: Construction
AZTEC knows that speed is essential. They are also dedicated to the highest quality and customized construction for each client. They rely on careful planning and expertise built on many successful projects to avoid the mishaps and miscommunications that slow down design and building.
Projects
AZTEC creates many diverse projects, from flashy and modern designs like this Ford car dealership to small-scale businesses like this dental office in OKC.
AZTEC has proven itself able to design and create commercial construction projects which are perfect for their clients. AZTEC’s manufacturing projects take into account the need for speed and reduced-cost in this industry, but also produce spaces that are comfortable and effective.
Call Aztec Building Systems to schedule a consultation or use our Contact Form and start your commercial construction project today.