Post Construction Cleaning Tips

Post construction cleaning tips

3 tips for Post-Construction Cleaning Projects

Post construction cleaning tipsHere you are, the building workers have pulled out, and it’s time to clean up. Dust, dirt, bits of drywall, and filthy window seals are mounting a powerful offensive against your team of cleaners. What will help you do this in a safe, competent, and productive way? Here are three post-construction cleaning tips to help make your project a success!

1. Protecting Everyone Involved

Post-construction cleanings vary in many respects from other forms of cleaning. Our commercial builders explain that one of the main differences is that there might be hazards not everyone is used to. For example, power tools, carts, ladders, and lifts can be found on-site. You may also have active development in the vicinity. It’s not hard to imagine how any of these could become a risk to an unsuspecting cleaner. As a consequence, much like the building project, cleaning work must be done in a secure manner.

It’s important to get to know the site before you bring the whole cleaning crew in. Inform the cleaning staff of items and equipment that might have been left behind. Feel free to speak to any other contractor you can meet on-site. Chances are they will tell you all about the details you need to look for.

And, ensure that you comply with the specifications for personal safety devices on the construction site. Protective eyewear, tough caps, foot protection, and the like may be needed.

Finally, make sure those involved have a written safety manual in place. In addition, teach your staff to do so. The safety manual should provide direct instructions on construction sites, on the cleaning of buildings, and on how to stay secure at all times.

2. Supply and Facilities

Do you have regular vacuums that you use in traditional office cleaning settings? Well, please don’t bring them here! Post-construction cleaning may be a tax on machinery. If you take your office vacuum to a construction cleaning site, it might become hundreds of dollars worth of broken parts and plastic. It is important to invest in industrial equipment. Big and strong shop vacuum cleaners manage bits of drywall and obnoxious quantities of dust far better than regular equipment. In addition, utilizing an auto-scrub system for large floor areas. It will significantly increase productivity.

Our Sacramento commercial construction company advises ensuring that the project has an abundance of well-planned cleaning supplies. Anything from rags to your range of cleaning agents needs to be well-stocked. Don’t underestimate how easily a post-construction site will deplete cleaning supplies. Having to fly back and forth to supply suppliers can be expensive and stressful for the cleaning workers who are ready to produce.

Finally, make sure that you maintain a strict list of your supplies and equipment. Construction sites are infamous for other on-site contractors borrowing materials from neighbors and not returning them. This can easily turn into reduced margins, lost efficiency, and reduced quality of construction cleaning services. Additionally, our General Contractor Sacramento strongly recommends that you have an approved area in the building where your supplies and equipment can be arranged and locked.

3. Using a staggered approach

We asked our friends over at Maid For Muddy Paws, a Commercial cleaning service in Montgomery, TX,  shares their practice: a staggered approach.

When it comes to staggered approach cleaning – what does it really mean? A phased approach is a form of cleaning that takes on larger tasks and breaks them down into smaller, manageable parts. Furthermore, no matter how good you clean at the construction site during the first stages, dust will accumulate and this dust will have to be removed in order for the room to be ready for company. Thus, the only alternative is to allow time to pass to allow the dust to settle and then to be cleaned between phases.

Commercial Construction Projects in Sacramento, CA

Ready to take your project to the next level? At Headwaters Construction Inc., we are specialized in commercial construction, tilt-up construction, project management, and more! Contact our skilled team today to discuss your project.

Healthy Commercial Construction Designs

Healthy Commercial Construction Designs

Healthy Commercial Construction Designs

Healthy Commercial Construction DesignsWhen it comes to the interior commercial construction work that you do for your clients, the key concerns that you are likely to have are related to cost, aesthetics, and speed. On paper, that makes a lot of sense. Any of your construction customers can need their spaces on a tight schedule. Of course, they want to make sure that the work is done according to their expectations and at a price tag that they can afford. Things are beginning to change, however, and there is growing interest in another trend healthy commercial construction designs. 

This could come as a bit of a surprise at first, but even the CDC has taken note of the fact that good architecture can be associated with improved physical health in a number of ways. So what can you do to make your interior construction work safer? Our Sacramento general contractors share their beliefs below. 

Choosing Wise Materials

Although there are several different steps you can take to contribute to a healthier design, one of the key starting points is to choose materials, particularly finishes that do not contain toxic chemicals. Some of the famous culprits here are VOCs, formaldehyde, and some plastics. While these can affect each person differently on the basis of their sensitivities, they are common contributors to sick building syndrome. Left unchecked, this may lead to headaches, nausea, and general discomfort. Federal guidelines are in place to limit the use of some of these materials. However, in order to reduce all this concern, try using as many natural-based materials as you can in interior design. Our commercial builders say this includes ceramic, stone, and porcelain.

Creation of Biophilic Designs

Biophilic may not be a word that many interior construction workers are familiar with but it basically implies any design or construction options designed to create a deeper connection between occupants and nature. There are quite a few ways that the owner of the property can do this.  Our Sacramento construction general contractors explain that this can involve a range of choices, from simple elements such as lighting shelves and sunrooms to furniture and accessories that are evocative of nature. Many indoor construction jobs implement elements such as wood, stone, and plants to add nature to the inside whenever possible.

Acoustics and Vibration

You’re familiar with the idea of noise pollution? If you live in a busy area, it’s worth adding to your design considerations. High background noise can naturally be associated with a lack of concentration as well as a rise in tension at the workplace. As a result, part of the safe design aims to achieve precise thresholds for both decibel and reverberation numbers. There are a few approaches that you can use to try to minimize unwanted noise. In general, our Sacramento ground-up construction experts want to minimize the number of hard surfaces you have and if possible, switch to a carpet over hard floors. Especially modern carpets can absorb almost five times as much sound as hard floors.

Smart Preparation of Floor

Compared to the other things we’ve discussed in this list, this is a little more subjective and esoteric. However, a significant part of a healthy design particularly in a residential environment is ensuring that every space you build has a certain degree of privacy. As a result, interior design teams can ensure that their floor plans provide plenty of room for people to have their own personal space. This can mean acceptable barriers between different rooms in a house. In an office environment, this might mean larger meeting rooms and better space between desks.

Antimicrobial Surface/Technology

Current events mean that everyone is a little more worried about the spread of germs than ever before. Maid For Muddy Paws, a commercial cleaning service Woodlands, TX, has been acquiring more and more clients seeking disinfecting services. Indeed, long before the current pandemic, interior design and design experts are aware of the position of often-touched surfaces. However, one way you can help in this field is by carefully selecting your materials. Some surfaces are porous by nature. They can save money or fit a particular design sensitivity. However, these properties also mean that they are more likely to catch bacteria/allergens on these surfaces. This makes disinfection more difficult.

As a consequence, you will want to add ceramics and porcelain to these often-touched surfaces. It’s inherently difficult for things like bacteria, mites, and mold to survive on. In addition, you can use simple household cleaners without harming the finish. Customers who want convenience would appreciate this choice.

Air Filtration is the secret to interior construction

Again, COVID-19 problems are forcing building professionals to re-evaluate air filtration in a new life. Expect a higher premium to provide room for proper HVAC systems in any part of the space. Good air sealing is also necessary for an effective filtration system. This means that you want to take a close look at the doors and windows that you use. Then, ensure that they are the best match for the building and the local environment.

Healthy space design is a term that has become increasingly popular over the last few years, with more and more research emerging. Originally, it began in the residential sector, but we’re beginning to see commercial interior construction with this sensitivity as well. As a result, any company providing indoor contracting needs to think about new materials and practices that will help to build a safe, visually attractive and possibly eco-friendly space.

Final Inner Construction Reflections

Costs (financial and time costs for onboarding) mean that choosing any single piece of safe interior wall construction on the market is not feasible for most companies. It would be best if you could find a way to decide what’s going to be the most lucrative for your company. This means making use of project management tools before you completely commit. 

Common Commercial Construction Mistakes

Common Commercial Building Mistakes

Common Commercial Construction Mistakes

Common Commercial Building MistakesEstimating is one of the most demanding jobs in the building industry. However, incorrect estimates will result in a considerable amount of money being lost. Part of the calculation relates to the design of the construction projects: each construction project is special. Estimators obviously cannot use a one-size-fits-all technique, leading to multiple factors taken into consideration during the estimation process. Even with the best estimators, there will still be a certain degree of ambiguity that can lead to common commercial construction mistakes.

Here are five of the more common pitfalls that could lead to Sacramento commercial construction estimation errors.

#1. Accurate or ambiguous architecture, plans, and specifications

If the design, plans, or requirements are wrong or incomplete, the stage is set for cost overruns. This also occurs when the design phase of the project hastens to launch the project. It could mean that the design team or construction personnel are not experienced, and there could be additional problems along the route.

If you’re not sure what the plans and requirements are asking for, there’s no way to determine a reliable calculation.

#2. Accurate material take-off (MTOs)

For the construction estimator, a thorough, accurate list of all the raw materials, equipment, and quantities required to complete the construction project is necessary. An incomplete or incorrect material construction take-off list can discard the construction estimate by a considerable amount.

The material form requires specification; it is not enough to provide a list of general materials and quantities. For example, costs can differ greatly between grades of steel, specific material brands, or type of electrical cable. If this information is missing or wrong, the cost estimate could be a long way off.

Usually, the material take-off list is produced from the blueprint details and other design documents. Our retail renovation contractors explain that these records are incomplete or incorrect, the accuracy of the material take-off list would be compromised, further compounding the problem and making the material take-off list less likely to be accurate.

A less significant influence, but one that has an impact, is that an incorrect list of take-offs can result in employees not having what they need to do in the construction project. This can lead to commercial renovation companies to experience expensive delays and misappropriation of labor.

#3. Difficulty in calculating labor costs

Our commercial builders explain that the most costly building costs are labor costs. It’s also the toughest to correctly predict. In order to measure labor costs, the construction estimator must consider the degree of experience of each worker and the rate of pay and efficiency of each worker available.

The typical calculation guideline is to estimate how many hours each job will take. Using historical data from similar jobs can help, but every job is different, just like every work team.

#4. Not keeping up-to-date with business dynamics 

The cost of building materials is another major part of the construction calculation. Although historical data can be helpful in some cases, a cost-effective construction estimator would remain on top of the market factors that may influence the cost and supply of materials.

Perhaps the employees at the plant are on strike, or the price of oil, gas or coal is rising. These factors would increase the cost of processing and shipping raw materials, thereby effectively increasing the cost of raw materials.

It can take a long time from the initial estimate to the start of a construction project, particularly when it is big. During this time, the cost of materials could increase considerably. Staying up to date on what is happening in particular sectors, such as the timber industry. will increase the accuracy of the estimates of the construction estimator.

#5. Not Accounting for Risks

Danger is an important part of the building process. Construction estimation should always provide an assessment of the level of risk associated with the project. This helps management to decide whether to bid or move on a task. Other Sacramento companies urge to account for risk as well. Gilmore Heating, Air and Plumbing, Sacramento HVAC company, says this is the best way to avoid making serious mistakes. Other factors to be considered in the risk evaluation which include the age and reputation of the project owner, whether the project pricing is set or adjustable, if the materials are custom or normal, or if the materials are subject to price fluctuations.

Make the estimation process simpler

Today, more than ever, direct cost estimation matters for a construction company. There’s so much riding about the precision of the building figures. Just the use of estimating tools is not sufficient to obtain the most efficient estimates and preserve profitability. Cost estimators can also use project management tools, such as eSUB, to provide the most reliable details. Both tools, used together will bring more peace of mind to your construction business.

Commercial construction should be left to the professionals. If you need a general contractor in California, contact Headwaters Construction, Inc. Our team is experienced in tilt-up construction, retail renovation, commercial planning, and general construction. Learn more about our commercial construction projects.

New Construction Trends 2021

New Construction Trends 2021

New Construction Trends 2021

New Construction Trends 2021In 2020, the global pandemic of COVID-19 triggered unparalleled devastation. For the construction industry, patterns such as increasing teleworking, social distance requirements, resource changes, supply chain splits, and cash flow disruption are evolving at all levels. Still, against all odds, certain patterns will persist, if a little bit has changed. Today on the blog, our commercial builders share the 10 developments in the construction industry that we can see on the horizon for 2021.

Security and Safety

Security is always a problem, but it is at the top of the list in the Covid-19 setting. Adjustments to minimize the spread of disease would concentrate on the separation of staff and improved equipment and cleanliness procedures.

Separation is especially difficult to accomplish on a job site where collaboration and coordination are the norm. This is why our Sacramento general contractors advise to anticipate fewer crews to use staggered shifts to keep workers less crowded.

Enhanced procedures will include the expected things, such as masks and hand sanitizers, as well as construction-specific things. Thus, the passing of equipment and the exchanging of gloves and hard hats would be minimized. 

Live Materials

One of the most exciting building developments to be witnessed is the production of living materials. These compounds are literally developing themselves and are poised to move from experiments to full-scale production in the near future. 

The most promising biological materials are made of bacteria and fungi. This makes them light, heavy, and oddly portable.

Self-Mending Concrete refers to concrete saturated with bacteria that bind materials around them to a new structural material. This material will expand in the pores of concrete, contributing to its impermeability. It can also expand into holes and cracks, filling and fixing them – all on its own. The bacteria are also being produced as a building material for themselves and have already been grown in functional shapes and sizes.

Finally, there’s Mycelium Composites. These products are the work of the fungi instead of the bacteria. Mycelium is a large network of fungi living underground, whose flowers are mushrooms. Our Sacramento commercial construction company explains that the largest living organism on Earth is the Honey Fungus in Oregon. Scientists have harvested this resilient creature, growing it into all kinds of materials by feeding it to farm waste.

Remote Technologies

“Remote” is something that guarantees that a job can be done remotely will expand quickly. This refers both to construction tasks and administrative tasks.

Almost no industrial work site is without drones right now. Construction is the fastest-growing commercial drone adoption, according to DroneDeploy, a drone survey and mapping app. Through looking at the project from above, contractors can find useful details. Health problems are easily detected, the quantity of materials on site can be accurately measured, and orthomosaic maps can be produced. This renders the largest work site visible as a whole. Additionally, substantial financial savings are also possible. Security information can minimize insurance claims, accurate inventory evaluation and progress can lead to more timely information on Payment Requests and can help to make the required manpower changes and schedules to prevent delays.

Technology in the office significantly enhances the flow of knowledge. Our neighbors at Specialized AV, Whole Home Automation Sacramento company, agrees. They too are now utilizing blockchain technology, a method of user-verified, real-time input of an infinite number of data points, from transactions to payments, to completion of tasks and revision of schedules.

This technology is becoming easier to use and is being increasingly applied in large-scale employment, with even smaller jobs being made inroads.

3D Printing 

No technology decreases the density of employees on the job site like 3D printing. In the field, it is basically a large nozzle, methodically laying concrete in vertical piles according to a programmed pattern.

This method is already in commercial use all over the world and is expected to expand rapidly. Recently, a 3D home building company raised $35m after printing an entire neighborhood in Mexico City.

It’s the same operation in the factory on a smaller scale. Typically, the process is used to produce small parts of larger assemblies made of plastic. While injection molding is likely never to be replaced for mass production, 3D printing makes the manufacture of custom parts affordable.

Modular Construction Work

Modular design and pre-fab building, which was already steadily on the rise, were expected to see a massive boost in interest in the post-pandemic period. Both the production process and the result are perfectly adapted to the times.

Manufactured buildings are now being designed in a way that encourages low worker density. Manufacturing is done in large, airy houses, with plenty of space for distancing. And the equipment used—ceiling cranes, conveyors and lifts—is specifically designed to allow fewer employees to move larger components, minimizing worker proximity and labor costs.

When manufactured, these buildings are usually small, restricted to the capacity of trucks to transport them. As a consequence, they are ideal for a world where separation is required.

Disruptions in Work

The job of the construction industry is related to one thing: money. And capital does not like confusion. The current climate makes it difficult to fund projects, especially large ones.

Overall, the AIA expects expenditure on non-residential buildings to decrease in 2021 and the fall may be drastic. As government debt rises at all levels, investment on infrastructure projects will almost certainly be postponed. And the downturn has already started in the private manufacturing sector.

Disputes on Payment

It is inevitable that when liquidity becomes tight and circumstances become confusing, the flow of money becomes a matter of concern. We already know that bankruptcies are on the rise, and we can only expect this trend to escalate, with construction firms and building owners meeting this fate.

However with payment being disrupted, we can expect some fairly exotic maneuvering by contractors and owners in the bond sector, including the sale of claims. Levelset has also begun providing cash up front on bond or bond claims to vendors who have protected their payment rights.

New Construction Trends in 2021

As you can see, the pandemic helped new construction trends come to life that we will see in 2021. If you need help with a commercial construction project in NorCal, contact Headwaters Construction, Inc.

Efficiency Goals for Your Construction Projects

Efficiency Goals for Your Construction Projects

Efficiency Goals for Your Construction Projects

Efficiency Goals for Your Construction ProjectsIf you work in or own a Sacramento commercial construction company, then you know that working towards operational efficiency ensures that your company can deliver completed projects in a cost-effective way without reducing quality. However, have you ever set specific efficiency goals for your construction projects?

All ground-up projects have one operational efficiency goal: to finish up a project within budget and on time. Because the range of construction projects is wide, there are various ways to realize operational efficiency. Our team of commercial builders recommends driving the operational efficiency objectives of your construction project into smaller categories. Examples of this include customer satisfaction, labor productivity, safety, and communication. We believe that this increases the probability of success on your project. This will motivate your crew to achieve the larger operational efficiency objectives you’ve set.

To do this, you have to first analyze your operations in detail then establish a standard. You should look into:

  1. How long it takes project managers to obtain data from the field. Is there a time lag?
  2. If you had any injuries occurring on your site. If you did, what were the causes?
  3. How long it takes to process time cards to payroll from employee entry.

This will help you determine the areas you need to improve in and what operational efficiency objectives you will set for your commercial construction company. Here are a few operational efficiency objectives you can look into to enable you to achieve overall operational improvements.

  • Eliminating the communication barrier

When establishing efficiency goals for your construction projects, we recommend communication. Establishing an open line of communication between the office team and the field team will improve operational efficiency. Every day, the field team collects reports on the site that may contain important information. Having reliable communication between the two teams bridges the gap and allows easy access to the information. Our neighbors over at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, Plumbing contractor Sacramento, explain that eliminating the communication barrier works the best for their team, who is partly in office and on the field.

To improve communication for both sides, ensure that a complete report is submitted before workers leave your site. The daily report should at the minimum include 2 photos of the Sacramento Jobsite. One at the start and one at the end of the day. This information should then be uploaded to a cloud-based management system, which allows the project manager to view it and proceed as they see fit.   

Any information collected from the field, be it delays, drawing questions or site issues, allows the project manager to start documentation processes at once. This improves the time it would take to register, communicate, and sort out any issues. Having instant communication of issues or site activities allows the team to work together to resolve any issues and continue with the ground up or Sacramento tilt-up construction project without wasting time.

  • Encourage safe behaviors on site

If you’re in the ground-up construction industry, then you know that it’s a risky profession. Sites are dangerous and having a missing work due to an injury only slows the progress of a project. While it’s unrealistic to strive to have no injuries on-site, setting attainable goals with regard to safety is achievable. The goals you set may be PPE compliance-related or safety hazard-related. 

  • Improvement of labor productivity

Enhancing labor productivity will bring about higher profitability on commercial building remodeling projects. When creating a proposal, the cost is usually based on the estimated labor hours required to complete the project. The lesser hours used to get the job done, the more profit subcontractors can pocket. However, if a project ends up using more hours than had been estimated, factoring in that workers still need to be paid upon project completion, a subcontractor may end up incurring losses.

To ensure this does not happen, one can track employee hours according to tasks and through different project phases. This will help discover what tasks take a longer time to finish and if there are workers who are performing at a higher level than others. Tracking productivity through a labor delivery system and integrated time allows Sacramento construction teams to meet their operational efficiency objectives. 

  • Client satisfaction

For many strip mall construction firms, a big portion of their business encircles repeat business. Subcontracting companies that are successful and provide high-quality work enables them to work again with past customers and grow their business opportunities through referrals. 

It is said that a 5% growth in customer retention can grow a company’s profitability by 75%, as its return customers will buy more over time. If you would like to know your firm’s customer satisfaction, below are 2 questions you may find informative.

  • On a scale of 1-10, how likely is it that you’d recommend our firm to a colleague or friend? (quantitative view)
  • Please tell us why you gave our firm that score (score mentioned above, provides a qualitative view)

In addition, you can employ an NPS (Net Promoter Score) to measure your consumer base’s loyalty. This score is based on comparing a firm’s promoters and detractors with a score between 25-33 being average. Instead of comparing your tilt-up construction company in Sacramento to other firms, tracking your NPS over time has proven to be more beneficial. Additionally, the feedback provided by your consumers helps determine the steps your firm needs to take to improve your NPS score. They will also provide insights on how to better deliver ground-up projects.  

Commercial Construction Sacramento

Now, all that’s left is implementing the objectives. First, we recommend setting efficiency objectives. Then, our builders suggest tracking activities using a ground-up construction project management software. We at Headwaters Construction Inc. pride ourselves on providing high-quality construction services at an efficient and affordable rate. Contact us today for all your commercial construction needs.

 

Commercial Construction Project Scott’s Seafood

Commercial Construction Project Scotts Seafood

Our Favorite Commercial Construction Project in 2020: Scott’s Seafood 

Commercial Construction Project Scotts SeafoodOur favorite Sacramento commercial construction project Scott’s Seafood, was a groundbreaking one!

Scott’s Seafood and Williamette Wineworks opened earlier this year after the completion of the roundhouse shell that was to house the two businesses. While the first floor was occupied by the former, the second story was occupied by the winery.

After two decades on Greenback Lane, Scott’s Seafood moved to the Historic District of Folsom, Sutter Street. The location: a historical, cultural, and social magnet for the city stands where the original roundhouse for the city stood.

The new Scott’s Seafood building has been designed as an exact replica of the roundhouse. That roadhouse once stood on the same parcel of land more than 100 years ago. 

The Headwaters Construction team worked around the clock with specialists and remarkable craftsmen to make the historic building authentic. It’s beyond question that the new Scott’s Seafood will be the talk of the town and the “it-scene” in the Folsom Historic District!

Here are a few unique features of this magnificent structure that our commercial builders love:

1. Real Bricks

Currently, most commercial construction buildings do not use bricks in commercial construction and instead prefer concrete, lumber, drywall, metal, and asphalt. Our Sacramento ground-up construction team used real bricks that existed when the roundhouse had been built more than a century ago. The aim of this was to keep the building’s historic atmosphere while also making a bold statement about the exterior of the building.

2. Custom Backside Windows

The inside of the building is made of a solid wall. To make the new Scott’s Seafood restaurant inviting, our commercial building renovation contractors decided to install 6×8 foot windows on the outside of the building which was manufactured by Sierra Pacific. The three windows will host a photo of a real locomotive and the individuals servicing it etched onto a sheet of glass which will have LED lights on it to illuminate the photo.

That way, if a person happens to walk by the restaurant at night, they will see Locomotive 3 in the building.

3. The Paint Color

Based upon historical significance to the time the first roundhouse was in use. The paint color used on the exterior of the building was picked The color in question, Carter Brother’s Tuscan Red, dates more than a century ago, before 1887 when it was used around South America and the West Coast on more than 5,000 railroad cars.

We at Headwaters Construction Inc. were very pleased to use Carter Brother’s Tuscan Red as the color adds authenticity to the building.

4. The Wooden Doors

It isn’t often that you chance upon a building that has 12×17 foot wooden doors that are operable. The roundhouse will have them though, just like the original building did. The original roundhouse was constructed with huge doors. This is because they were wide enough to allow a steam locomotive into the building.

The new roundhouse has the same 12×17 foot doors which are thick and made from reclaimed redwood by CrossRoads Lumber. The doors were installed by no other Folsom construction company but Headwaters Construction Inc. Reclaimed redwood is used to match the building’s historic nature. 

5. Second Floor Windows

Our concrete tilt-up contractors also included clerestory windows in the design of the building. These windows were typical of the time when the roundhouse was in use hundreds of years ago. Our friends over at Maid For Muddy Paws, Window Cleaning service Woodlands TX, explains that these windows were used to flood the building with as much natural light as they possibly could. 

As they do not have right angles, the windows weren’t easy to construct. However, the determination of the team to design the roundhouse to be as exact as the original ensured the job was done.

These aren’t the only unique features that make this roundhouse special in the Historic District of Folsom. Williamette Wineworks was launched on Sutter Street on February 26th. Scott’s Seafood was opened in the summer of 2020, a few months ago, setting the bar very high. From the perfect location, freshness of products, use of farmer’s market produce, and the creative menus, Scott’s Seafood will not only be the place to be but the place to eat. To get in touch with the restaurant, you can contact them on [email protected] or on +19169896711.

Commercial Consturction Services

We at Headwaters Construction Inc. have fully licensed construction contractors in California, Oregon, and Washington. We have a passion for tilt-wall building, shopping center renovation, and commercial new construction. Our Sacramento ground-up construction teams have more than 100 years of experience in commercial construction. We are also focused on delivering outstanding service, communication, and quality.

Get in touch with us today at 916-6564-8899. Or, you can contact us at [email protected] and let us help you make your commercial project dream into a reality! Additionally, you can check out our projects on our project gallery; headwatersbuilding.com

How to Estimate a Construction Project

How to Estimate a Construction Project

How to Estimate a Construction ProjectHow to Estimate a Construction Project

Cost estimates for a commercial project are one of the things that need to go right for the success of the construction project. After all, among the most common things most commercial builders and owners look for is the financial part of the construction. Without it, your project runs the risk of stalling due to financial constraints. 

Therefore, what is the best way to estimate the cost of your commercial construction project, and what exactly is involved during the process? Our Sacramento commercial builders share all you need to know about estimating for a construction project. 

Why Estimate a Construction Project? 

There are two main reasons why estimation is a valuable part of any construction project. One, it allows contractors and commercial builders to win new projects. Considering that most owners are looking to save money, these estimations help them decide which contractor to pick. 

Also, they allow for easy approximation of costs. This is an important part. During the estimation phase, commercial construction companies Sacramento have to deal with take-offs, construction documents, and other related costs. This creates a useable roadmap on how much everything is going to cost and whether it is a worthy venture. 

What to Consider 

It is important to learn a few things before starting work. Some of the things you need to consider during the estimation process include direct costs and indirect costs. 

Direct costs are those that are related to the activities that are carried out during the construction process. For example, buying materials and paying for equipment is a direct cost. Labor is also another activity that lies within this category. 

Indirect costs are also known as overhead costs. They are important to the construction but are not directly related to the activities that happen during the construction. For example, costs aimed at covering utilities, temporary structures, legal fees and permits, security, quality control, and administrative costs are all indirect costs. 

Levels of Accuracy in Estimation of a Construction Project 

Given that this is an estimation of costs, it is not going to be 100% accurate. Especially in the very first stages of the construction process. However, with time, and as the project matures, you should expect to see these estimates getting more accurate. 

Usually, estimates are placed on different levels (1-5) as subscribed by the American Society of Professional Estimators. These include: 

Level 1: Order of Magnitude

This first stage usually has the roughest estimates. During this phase, the project is still in its idea stage so estimations are usually based on previous projects or expert judgment. Here, you can expect the level of accuracy to be -25% to 75%. 

Level 2: Intermediate Estimate 

The intermediate estimate level is an important level because it will determine the feasibility of the project by looking at the general cost construction. It is at this level that most owners, especially for large scale constructions, decide whether to proceed with the construction or not. 

Level 3: Preliminary Estimate

The preliminary estimate level is where the cost of construction is given more detail. Its accuracy is what informs financing. In some projects, the budget will be determined at this level. At this stage, accuracy is highly important. 

Level 4: Substantive Estimate 

This estimate depends on the estimated unit costs. Construction companies and other relevant stakeholders look at the objectives, deliverables, and reasonably finalized project designs before coming up with a substantive estimate. Turek’s Plumbing, Appleton kitchen remodel company, uses substantive estimates often to get their costs in order. They also recommend using this estimate as a roadmap to keep the project within budget. 

Level 5: Definitive Estimate 

This is the final stage where all costs are known. Therefore, the accuracy here is high. This estimate is used to create bids, tenders, and cost baselines.

Using Estimates to Determine Budget 

Usually, an estimator or project manager will handle the estimation process by calculating the overall costs, funding, and budget allocation needed for the success of the project. Our tilt-up contractors explain that these estimates also include risk management and reserves for contingency. 

Making Successful Estimates 

Finding the best construction company for your commercial construction project is paramount for your success. That is why Headwaters Construction Inc is ready to give you the best services.  Call us today and enjoy the best service for your construction project.

Phases of a Commercial Build-Out

Phases of a Commercial Build-Out

Understanding the Phases of a Commercial Build-Out

Phases of a Commercial Build-OutThere are many different phases of a commercial build-out. This entails a very long and detailed process, which can be frustrating with codes and regulations. Hiring a Sacramento commercial builder like Headwaters Construction Inc. to manage your project from the beginning to the end can help. This will help decrease your frustrations significantly. However, you must have some basic knowledge of each stage of the build-out. In turn, this will help decide who would be the contractor for the position. 

Knowing what each stage entails makes it easier for you to learn whether a contractor is up to the task. Additionally, it may keep you from incurring unexpected costs or delays. 

The following are the commercial build-out phases.

Design Stage

This is the stage where blueprints are designed. Structural engineers and architects are usually the ones who sign off on commercial building plans. Hiring the right Sacramento general contractor allows them to work directly with the engineer to accurately develop and implement the design.

When approaching the design reading stage, it is helpful to have commercial construction companies on hand. They will ensure that the end product built is the vision that the design carried in the long run. 

The main purpose of the design stage is to make sure that the building will be ideal for its intended use. Keeping the design of a commercial build-out functional is a good idea. You can then explore and incorporate various energy-saving elements and methods. This will be beneficial in the long run.  

Plan Approval Stage

Now that you’re done with the designs, we now venture into the plan approval stage. Here, your plans are checked against zoning restrictions and building codes to ensure that they are compliant. Your commercial builder should be capable of handling this with ease. To avoid non-compliance, have your contractor guide you from the beginning of the design process. Hiring an expert Sacramento tilt-up contractor ensures that your plans have covered the basic rules and guidelines.

Our friends over at Turek’s Plumbing, Appleton Kitchen remodel company, provided us with some great advice. Since they are in Wisconsin, they have different codes for the harsh winter. They advise that if you live in an area with additional codes for weather permits, such as Florida, you will need to ensure that your plans take that into account because of hurricane season.

Additionally, your building plans will need to be approved with sewer lines. The plans have to not only suit your needs but those of the location as well. This is why hiring an experienced general contractor in Sacramento from the get-go is important as they will advise you on all of these regulations. 

Work and Special Permits

Ensure that the commercial construction company you hired has craftsmen who are certified. In addition to this, your contractor should also know what permits apply to your commercial building project. Having your general contractor dealing with permits is both an energy and a time saver. This is because some additions to your project design may require special permits.  Your contractor is in charge of the permits, also makes them responsible for all questions raised.

Materials Needed

The matter concerning materials boils down to the trust relationship you have with your general contractor Sacramento. This is unless you are very knowledgeable on all things construction materials. While the temptation to use cost-effective materials may beckon you, you must explore all the risks involved before making your decision. Having your contractor advise you on whether this may be a good idea is highly recommended. Ensure that the grade of materials to be used is of good quality. 

Additionally, your material choice may be dependent on the environment or its intended function. Some materials may also be regulated in some cases due to the weather.

Beginning Construction

There are several stages involved in the construction phase. The construction is carried out in these stages:

  1. Laying the foundation
  2. Mechanical installations
  3. Installing roofing 
  4. Finishes

It should be noted that before construction can move to the next phase, a municipal authority official needs to assess the stage and give the go-ahead for the project to continue. Headwaters Construction Inc. cautions that this is the phase that experiences the most delays. As follows, even if the paperwork is in order and all, there may be a delay. A lot usually happens in this phase, so you should accept from the beginning that things may not go according to your timeline. 

However, your ground-up construction contractor should keep watch for any delays that may occur in the future and find ways to prevent them from happening so that the project can meet its deadline. 

Managing the Building Process

The last stage in this phase is managing the building process. Here, your contractor should also supervise any sub-contractors that may be on-site and relay information on the project’s progress at every stage.  

With the right set of professionals and an expert contractor from a reputable commercial construction company, any project, no matter the size, will run smoothly without any hitches. Headwaters Construction Inc. is just the commercial builder for you if you want a hassle-free project. Contact Headwaters Building today and let us discuss how we can bring your dream to reality.

Ensuring Your Project is Delivered Faster

Ensuring Your Project is Delivered Faster

How to Ensure That A Construction Project is Delivered Faster

Ensuring Your Project is Delivered FasterCommercial construction projects require much planning, leaving many individuals wondering how to ensure that a construction project is delivered faster. Today on the blog, our Sacramento construction general contractors share all they know about ensuring your project is delivered faster.

Lookahead Schedules

Unfortunately, failing to plan efficiently may result in delays, which may push your deadline further and waste resources. This may lead to overspending and the creation of conflicts among stakeholders. To help with planning, many Sacramento construction companies use a lookahead schedule to help them plan and avoid any hitches. A lookahead schedule is a three to six-week plan highlighting the objectives and tasks of a strip mall construction project for the next 3 to 6 weeks.

This planning mode is an important part of the general schedule and is also used in weekly progress meetings. This makes it an essential part of the main plan. 

Without a lookahead schedule, members of a ground-up project team would have no clear outline of what needs to be commissioned, what needs to be ordered, and what deliveries are pending for the Sacramento commercial construction project to succeed. All these are important elements that need a data-driven plan.

A lookahead plan holds a very crucial role in the commercial construction process, from beginning to end. Thus, we will be identifying the main problems that face these schedules and come up with solutions on how to resolve them. 

Below are a few issues that need to be addressed:

Using the Wrong Tools for the Job

The Sacramento ground-up construction industry uses many digital tools that aren’t particularly suited to the industry’s needs. This might lead to frustration and mistakes that may have been avoided easily if a digital solution was tailored to fit the construction industry.

With everyone working in silos, data may sometimes not reach the intended parties, which affects your lookahead schedule and adds confusion to the building process due to the delays experienced. 

However, by enabling project teams to gather and store information in a centralized hub, you make sure that every individual can locate and access the current updated information whenever they need it. 

This will help Sacramento construction project managers plan ahead and make any adjustments in case of any changes.

Lack of Communication

Working individually on a project is quite dangerous. As different teams use their own tools to gather data and report progress, it becomes impossible to make short-term plans.

Having a centralized hub allows the submission of the latest updates from the field and easy access to all project data. Thus, this ensures that the smooth flow of communication is maintained. Our neighbors over at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing say it best: communication is key in any project type. Their Sacramento HVAC company uses communication at every job site. This offers task managers the ability to plan for the short-term, using updated site information while allowing them leeway to incorporate any last-minute additions or changes made.

A Strong Culture of Blame

Pointing fingers is a common situation in some commercial construction companies’ projects. Mistakes that occur may have teams trying to avoid responsibility. This can interfere with the short-term plans in the lookahead schedule. Unfortunately, if they are not resolved in time, they may also affect the masterplan too. So, a digital platform will again be helpful here by determining the cause of the mistake and the party responsible. 

How to Deliver Your Lookahead Schedule Faster

  • Automate Your Compliance Process

By activating automated task-based follow-ups, you ensure that the site inspector is automatically notified once a target is reached. They will then come and perform a follow-up check at the Sacramento commercial renovation site. With the information updated, you can identify problems that come up, the status, and the party responsible.

  • Resource and Material Management Built-In

Building materials are frequently delivered at the wrong place and the wrong time. Using a digital platform to schedule material deliveries to sync with your work schedule is the answer. This allows you a clear view of what is required on-site while ensuring that no materials get lost.

  • A Centralized Hub for Task-based Communication

In a construction project, all the communication should revolve around the task at hand. Using a centralized communication hub may make it easier for project progress to be updated and documented. Another benefit is that this also follows the main plan. This eliminates wastage of time on email threads, time-consuming phone calls, and more.

  • Link your Master Plan to Lean Planning

Linking your master plan to your planning can be useful to achieve success in a ground-up construction project. Additionally, choosing a commercial construction-specific digital platform that allows you to develop a 3 to 6-week sub-plan of the main plan can help you improve your master plan. Thus, the details required to manage the day to day activities on site efficiently will be provided. Tasks that have been changed or completed should be added to the main project plan. As follows, this will assist in smarter decision making. 

Many strip mall construction projects involve at least 80% of the same processes across the board. Thus, this offers a great opportunity for task managers. This allows them to keep construction site activities under control through past projects’ best practices to their current work.

Contact Headwaters Construction Inc.

Contact Headwaters Construction Inc. today for your commercial construction needs. We would love to assist you with your construction projects.

Benefits of Hiring a Construction Company

Benefits of Hiring a Construction Company

4 Key Benefits of Hiring a Construction Company

Benefits of Hiring a Construction CompanyWith so many commercial construction companies out there, it is vital to do your research. Selecting the best company to undertake your ground-up construction project is extremely important. There are many benefits that come with finding the right company. Today on the blog, we detail the benefits of hiring a construction company.

They Offer a Broad Range of Services

One of the biggest reasons why you should hire a reputable commercial construction company is that they will offer you all the services that you need. This is in connection with your concrete tilt-up construction project or any other method of construction that you choose.

For example, with the commercial builder on your side, you will not have to look to other companies. The building design team, electrical works experts, plumbing professionals, or indeed any other skilled personnel needed to construct your building will come with a construction company. All you have to do is sign the necessary paperwork. The company will do the rest, from the first step of the project to the last step, when the finished building is handed to you.

You Are Assured of Expertise at All Levels

Reputable commercial builders have a name to protect. As follows, they will go out of their way to select the best professionals to join their teams. Additionally, the resources that they command allow them to attract and retain the best talent on their books.

You will have access to the best building designers, the best architects, the best building inspectors, and all the other professionals. Essentially, you will have access to any of the professions that are required during the phases of constructing a commercial building. Your job ends at signing a contract with the Sacramento construction company. They will do the rest while you receive timely status updates on the progress being made.

This is in stark contrast to someone who ends up with contractors who aren’t known for their high professional standards. Such builders will spell trouble from the very beginning. Problems are likely to arise during every step of the process. For example, their limited experience could make them give you inaccurate financial projections. Thus, you could end up having misunderstandings with them over cost creep.

Licensed and Insured Professionals

You don’t want to work with a commercial construction firm that isn’t insured or licensed. Our neighbors over at Gilmore Heating, Air and Plumbing, the best HVAC company in Sacramento, share their recommendations. They shared that it is important to always make sure that whoever your hiring is insured and licensed. This is because such an entity will not give you the assurance that you need regarding adherence to construction guidelines and procedures.

It is in your best interest to select a commercial construction company that is licensed to operate within the jurisdiction of your building. Their staff should be licensed and bonded to safeguard you from being liable should an accident occur during the ground-up project.

Commercial construction is inherently risky, but a reputable tilt-up construction firm will have systems in place to manage those risks. Should an accident occur, their insurance will cover that eventuality, and you will not suffer any unforeseen costs.

Budgetary Discipline

While everyone would like to own a great commercial property, no one wants to spend more than is necessary to get that building. It is, therefore, important to find construction contractors who are professional enough to respect the set budget and deliver a complete structure that meets all the specifications agreed upon during the project design phase.

Different ground-up projects have their own cost requirements. A commercial construction company worth its name will give you accurate projections about the expected costs so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with the project or modify the scope of the work in order to bring down the expected costs.

Once the timeframe and budget have been agreed upon, the commercial builder will act on those terms. This will be detailed in the contract, and you will have nothing to worry about. 

In short, the most helpful decision to ensure that your commercial construction project is successful is simple. Choose an honest and reputable commercial construction company in Sacramento. You will not have any headaches once you identify such a company. At Headwaters Construction Inc., we have a track record of delivering all types of commercial construction projects. This ranges from tilt-up construction, strip mall construction, and everything in between. Contact Headwaters Construction Inc today! Let us discuss how we can be of help in addressing all your commercial construction needs.