Why Consulting and Planning Are Essential In Commercial Construction

Consulting and Planning in Commercial Construction

In the realm of commercial construction, consulting and planning are of the utmost importance. They serve as the framework that guides the entire construction process, ensuring that projects are completed within budget and on schedule. Missteps in the early stages of a project can lead to costly delays, budget overruns, or, in the worst-case scenario, complete project failure. The stakes are indeed high in commercial construction, where significant investments are on the line. The efficacy of consulting and planning can determine the success or failure of a project. This blog delves into the importance of these two crucial steps, exploring why they can not be overlooked in the commercial construction process.

The Importance of Consulting in Commercial Construction

Understanding Client Needs

One of the first steps in any commercial construction project is understanding the client’s needs and expectations. A comprehensive consultation phase allows the construction company to garner insights into the client’s vision, business objectives, and anticipated challenges. More than just determining the physical layout of the building, this phase involves understanding the desired functionality of the space, the client’s aesthetic preferences, and their budget constraints. Misunderstandings or overlooking details in this phase can lead to major deviations in the final outcome from what the client envisioned, which is why thorough consulting is essential. It is also the stage where potential roadblocks can be identified early, allowing for preventative measures or changes in the project plan. Therefore, consultation is not merely a task to be checked off a list but a critical process that ensures that the project aligns with the client’s expectations and requirements.

Risk Identification and Mitigation

During the consulting phase, potential risks associated with the construction project are identified. These could range from financial risks, such as cost overruns, to operational risks, like possible delays due to unforeseen circumstances. The role of the consultant extends to developing risk mitigation strategies, which may include proposing alternative methods or materials, scheduling backups, or implementing contingency plans. Furthermore, risk identification aids in establishing a more accurate project timeline and budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively. Ultimately, early risk identification and mitigation strategies not only contribute to the smooth execution of the project but also safeguard the client’s investment and ensure the final structure meets the desired standards of safety and durability.

The Role of Planning in Commercial Construction

Budgeting and Cost Management

Effective budgeting and cost management are pivotal to the success of commercial construction projects. It begins with a thorough understanding of the project’s scope, which is determined during the consulting phase. Based on the scope, a detailed budget plan is developed, considering all costs, including materials, labor, permits, and contingencies. This plan serves not only as an estimate but as a financial roadmap, guiding expenditure throughout the construction process. Strict adherence to this roadmap is crucial to avoid cost overruns, which can derail the project. Cost management also involves continuous monitoring and control of expenses to ensure the project stays within the budget. This includes identifying areas where costs can be reduced without compromising on quality. Therefore, budgeting and cost management, when done effectively, can ensure the financial viability of commercial construction projects, ensuring they deliver value for the client’s investment.

Project Timeline Development

The creation of a well-structured project timeline is a critical aspect of planning in commercial construction. This comprehensive schedule outlines the sequence of tasks, milestones, and deadlines related to the project. It provides a clear overview of the project’s progression, serving as a tool for coordinating various construction elements and ensuring timely completion. The timeline also helps in identifying potential delays early and making necessary adjustments. A well-drafted project timeline promotes efficiency and productivity, keeping all stakeholders informed and aligned. Ultimately, effective timeline management plays a crucial role in preventing project delays, which could potentially lead to increased costs and client dissatisfaction.

Let Headwaters Building Group Handle It For You

At Headwaters Building Group, we recognize the importance of comprehensive consulting and meticulous planning in the successful execution of commercial construction projects. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to understanding your vision and delivering a final product that exceeds your expectations. We prioritize effective communication, rigorous cost management, and strategic timeline development to ensure your project stays on track. Are you ready to turn your commercial construction vision into reality? Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let us guide you through a seamless, stress-free construction process. Let’s build something amazing together.

Choosing A Paint Color For Your Commercial Project

Choosing A Paint Color For Your Commercial Project

Choosing A Paint Color For Your Commercial Project

Choosing A Paint Color For Your Commercial ProjectIf you own a commercial building, exterior painting is crucial. It sets the tone for your business, while also maintaining the look. Additionally, paint only protects your structure from the weather. Also, it contributes to the initial impression clients have of your company. Our commercial builders explain that a fresh coat of paint, in addition to beautiful signage and landscaping, may boost the curb appeal of any commercial property. Today on the blog, our commercial construction company discusses choosing a paint color for your commercial project.

The Color of Your Building Is Important

Color is a powerful tool that organizations employ to generate brand identification. Importantly, choosing the appropriate exterior paint colors can assist any business owner. Additionally, it will make their company distinctive to both new and existing consumers. When choosing an external paint color for your commercial building, our General Contractor Sacramento urges you to keep the following in mind.

Construction

Each architectural style has a particular appearance that lends itself to various color palettes. We recommend selecting colors that complement the architecture of the building for the aesthetic. If your structure is in a historic district, your color choices may be limited.

Appeal to Your Ideal Customer

When painting the exterior of your business, use a color scheme that appeals to your core consumer type and target demographic. In general, younger people are drawn to stronger hues, whereas more senior clients choose muted and neutral colors. Furthermore, there is evidence that men and women perceive colors differently. Before selecting colors for your business, think about how color influences your target customer.

Business Type

It is commonly known that people link different colors with different emotions and sensations. A restaurant or bakery needs distinct color associations than an office building. For example, our friends at Maid For Muddy Paws, Deep Cleaning Service Woodlands, TX explains that they chose hues of pink and black to make their business stand out to their target audience.

The Natural Environment

When selecting exterior paint colors, consider your surroundings for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Many property owners avoid dark or rich colors in locations with bright year-round sunlight because they fade rapidly and absorb heat, raising cooling costs.

Surrounding Environment

Roofing, landscaping, sidewalks, and other outside aspects are frequently difficult and costly to replace. It is critical to choose an external paint color that contrasts with the hues of these items.

You should also consider nearby structures. If you deviate too much from the standard color schemes in the surrounding neighborhood, your building may become an eyesore.

Color Psychology

Color psychology is more of a marketing term than a scientific one. It has long been regarded as a powerful tool in branding by marketing gurus. Thus, colors have an effect on emotion, perception, and purchasing decisions. Employee productivity has even been demonstrated to be influenced by interior paint hues. Aligning the color of your exterior paint with your logo and other marketing materials creates consistency and helps to make your company recognizable.

Contact Headwater Today for Your Commercial Construction Project

Headwaters Construction aspires to be the commercial building industry leader in California, Washington, and Oregon. Our dedication to providing high-quality services is intended to provide you with peace of mind. Contact our team today to discuss your commercial construction project.

Commercial Building Trends in 2021

commercial building trends in 2021

Commercial Building Trends in 2021

commercial building trends in 2021Commercial building developments are expected to rise significantly in 2021, according to energy experts at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). They predict that there will be a will rise in the need for on-demand water heating, energy efficiency, and the incorporation of CHP systems. Today on the blog, our Sacramento commercial builders at Headwaters Construction Inc. are breaking down the predicted Commercial Building Trends in 2021.

According to PERC, the following three existing patterns will continue to expand in 2021:

1. Commercial buildings will continue to prioritize on-demand water heating.

Did you know that, in certain commercial buildings, water heating can account for up to 25% of total energy consumption? This, of course, is dependent on the type of building, but our commercial builders typically see this in lodging, healthcare, mercantile, school, food service, and office spaces.

Additionally, our general contractors explain that water heating systems that are reliable, effective, and affordable are essential for commercial builders, building owners, and more.  Propane tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, heat water only when it’s required, removing the need for a storage tank and the standby losses that come with keeping a tank full of hot water. Additionally, Turek’s Plumbing, a plumbing company in Appleton WI, explains the other benefits of tankless water heaters. They explain that on-demand water heaters are another term for tankless water heaters. As follows, the idea of a tankless system is that the water is heated as it passes through. This is done by a heat exchanger by a high-powered burner. This eliminates the need for a tank to hold hot water. Thus, a tankless water heater is much smaller than a conventional one, which is beneficial for storage.

2. Energy Savings is Everything

In today’s world, there’s an ever-growing demand for energy-efficient upgrades to aging building systems. Furthermore, the pandemic’s current standards will continue to influence how building owners manage and plan their buildings.

For many professionals in the hospitality and restaurant industries, this means a few things. It could mean using propane patio heaters and other propane-powered outdoor facilities to extend operations. For many others, this means using safe, low-emission HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality in houses. Our friends at Specialized Audio and Video, Sacramento audio equipment and installation, also says that smart features are even being used in offices. You can operate your whole office from a click of a button.

3. The demand for CHP systems will continue to expand steadily.

CHP provides unique benefits, like performance, resiliency, and overall affordability. Thus, these systems are expanding quickly. These systems have the capability of meeting building demand for a room or water heating and cooling. Additionally, they will be providing energy to complement on-site renewables or grid supply.

Propane gives contractors the strength and flexibility to power all of a building’s major energy systems. This allows them to utilize clean, dependable, and energy-efficient power.

Expect to See the Trends in 2021

At Headwaters Construction, we are all about staying on top of emerging commercial construction trends so that we can serve our Sacramento Valley clients with the best possible services. We offer tilt-up construction, general contracting, and more. Contact Headwaters Construction Inc. today!

Exterior Design Ideas

Exterior Design Ideas Sacramento

Exterior Design Ideas For Your Commercial Building

Exterior Design Ideas SacramentoIn commercial construction, it is important to have an attractive design that people are drawn to. Many business and building owners today want a design that is eye-catching and dynamic. Additionally, owners want it reminiscent of the activities that take place there. As a result, commercial building exterior design is beginning to diversify. As follows, this is occurring with newer structures adding their own unique color, texture, pattern, and style. Below, our Sacramento commercial builders at Headwaters Construction share exterior design ideas.

Dynamic Color and Texture

There is nothing more eye-catching than a bright color.  Our retail renovation contractors explain that color has a strong emotional impact. For example, red is seen as passionate, powerful, and motivating. However, blue is an example of a more calming color, giving feelings of stability, harmony, and peace. Choosing a dynamic color that fits the needs of your individual business is an excellent idea to give you that edge.

A Combination of Materials

A combination of natural stone, architectural panels, and lap siding can give the design a lot of depth. More and more, we are seeing building owners utilize a combination of materials for modern designs. Additionally, by combining different materials and designs in one façade, a structure can evoke different architectural styles at once.

Sleek & Smooth Design

Next, Headwaters Construction Inc., tilt-up construction workers explain that giving your structure some character and personality doesn’t mean overdoing it. Sometimes, a sleek structure is powerful and imposing, with clean lines and minimal decoration. Sleek and smooth designs can result in a modern façade that can accommodate a variety of businesses and purposes.

Rustic Design

Not every commercial structure needs to appear modern, powerful, or impersonal. In fact, some buildings appear to be more approachable and in tune with their surroundings when they are. For example, rustic designs are always a wonderful choice to show the authenticity of your business. They demonstrate an authentic, home feel that is attractive to many people. Our friends at LMS Garage Doors, one of the best garage door repair companies, adds that the rustic style has become increasingly popular for both residential and commercial designs.

Classic and Simple Design

Sometimes all a building or business requires is a new take on an old design. Thus, many businesses accomplish this by combining designs used by other businesses for decades but give them a fresh, modern twist. However, our general contractors recommend always giving the building a cohesive appearance that cements the design and makes different sections work together so well.

Contact Headwaters Today

Ready to get started on your commercial project? Contact our Sacramento commercial construction company today. We would love to discuss your many options with you!

 

Entryway Landscape Design Tips

entryway landscaping tips for your commercial building - Sacramento commercial builders

Entryway Landscape Design Tips for Your Commercial Building

why-your-commercial-landscaping-mattersThe entrance to your commercial property is the first point of contact with your tenants, staff, clients, and guests. That is why it is important to ensure that the ecosystem around attractive and inviting. As the owner or manager of a commercial property responsible for the environment, you should always begin with the arrival experience and the key point of entry. Below, our commercial builders share entryway landscape design tips for your commercial building.

First Impressions Matter

First experiences are important. This applies to the landscape just as much as it does to people. In reality, your landscape is often the first item a visitor notices before interacting with employees. Worn fields, dead or decaying trees, a lack of color, and a drab isn’t a great look. Our tilt-up construction company recommends spending a little extra money on your front door to give a much better first impression.

High Traffic Areas = Most Important

A high volume of traffic indicates a high level of priority. The focal point of public engagement is your entryway. To stop draining your money on landscape upkeep, Headwaters Construction recommends filling your entryway with plants and materials that can survive environmental elements. It is essential to build and install a landscape that can survive wear and tear while being both beautiful and practical.

Opportunities to Impress

Your entryway serves as a poster for your business. The scenery at your building’s entrance serves as an advertisement for your commercial property. Will you show a massive image of an overflowing front-entrance cigarette canister or brown, flattened, and dead plants for us to see on the highway? Obviously not. Our Sacramento general contractors recommend refraining from marketing your commercial property with a landscape that is unflattering. Our friends over at Maid For Muddy Paws, a commercial cleaning service, agree with us on this one. With all the businesses they clean, the most impressive ones have had beautiful landscaping in their entryways.

Make It Adaptable For Every Season

A versatile entryway for a dynamic company. If your facility is open all year, you want your entryway to be as appealing and interesting in the winter months as it is at the peak of the growing season in the summer. A static landscape is equivalent to a static sector. Instead, at least four times a year, establish a complex seasonal link with something unique and exciting. If your property is in a geographical area where blooms are not likely in the winter, no worries. Instead, select plants and seasonal planters with interesting or decorative bare branches and forms to provide visual appeal during the off-season.

Mood Enhancing

A well-designed and well-maintained landscape is a thing of beauty that can lift the spirits of anybody who comes into touch with it. A cheerful landscape will assist in the development of cheerful people. Employees become more content and profitable, and consumers become more optimistic and able to invest more money.

A lively entryway generates positive energy

Healthy plants and a well-balanced, integrated landscape design generate subtle energy and vibrancy that spreads positive energy across the room. Although it may not be your cup of tea, bear in mind that humans have been co-evolving with Nature for more years than we can count. Step into this experience and accept that you have the potential to transform the world with something as basic as good, colorful plants!

Contact Headwaters Construction Today

Ready to get going on your commercial construction project? Contact Headwaters Construction Inc. today.

Tips to Manage a New Construction Build

tips to manage a new construction build

Tips to Manage a New Construction Build

tips to manage a new construction buildAs your business grows, your office space needs to grow along with it. This also involves renovating an existing house, adding to the infrastructure, or building a whole new structure. Today on the blog, our Sacramento commercial builders share the following tips to manage a new construction build.

By sticking to these tips, you could save thousands on your finished house, making the whole process easier and less stressful for your entire staff.

1. Consider your options.

When you decide whether to add or renovate your current building or build a brand new facility, it’s time to find a Sacramento general contractor who can direct you through the rest of the process. If you have extensive experience in the commercial construction industry, it is often best to find a general contractor with proven connections. They will be responsible for recruiting and overseeing teams who will manage the different sections of the construction process. This is including brick masons, electricians, plumbers, Sacramento HVAC companies, drywall hangers, or any other professional you may need. This method is time-consuming and tedious if you try to do it on your own. In addition, you’re unlikely to get the rates that the contractor would secure for you.

2. Take a peek at the sales & expenditure forecasts.

At this point, you need to estimate what your business profits and expenditures should be during the construction period so that you can plan what you should spend on the project. From there, you’ll know what money you can have on your own and what you need in terms of funding. Through accurate estimates, you can also decide what kind of payment terms you can handle. This is so that you do not have more debt than you can actually afford to pay.

3. Take control of the legal rights.

Apart from federal legislation and legislation unique to each jurisdiction, each municipality has its own licensing, zoning, etc. requirements. Again, selecting a good general contractor who is familiar with the particular area where you are building or renovating will help direct you by choosing a property in the right zone. They will then secure all necessary permits to start the construction process. Surveys are likely to take place along the way, and construction is often stopped so the inspector can visit the property. Be sure to prepare for these types of delays in your construction plans, as well as any possible snags, such as an inspector requesting extra materials or safety measures. Our friends at Specialized AV, an AV company in Sacramento, recommend installing security cameras to ensure that your assets are covered.

4. Consider how the build will affect your ordinary business operations.

It is very normal for companies to underestimate the time it takes to connect with their general contractor and make numerous decisions along the way. Will you be able to take time away from operations and your own customers to answer questions, make important decisions and negotiate with your contractor during the construction process? Note, their time is your money, too. Thus, delaying answers to their important questions will take the project longer in both time and money. Many organizations create a link to work with the contractor to ensure minimal interruption of operations and customer support.

5. Seek expert advice.

Costing a commercial building involves monitoring the price per square foot, including contract inclusions and exclusions. You need to know what the “completed contract” means before the construction begins. Does this involve paving your parking lot? Hooking up with utilities? This part is important for securing funding, particularly if funds are tight during construction.

6. Build a breathing space in your plans.

Don’t keep things too tight when designing the building and costing plans. Know, weather systems, market volatility, and other factors outside your control can dramatically alter the time and cost of a Sacramento construction project. A construction project can also reveal some of the issues that could not be noticed before, such as mold and infrastructure problems.

7. Stable funding before anything else is done.

Start with your current financiers. If you’ve built a strong relationship with a bank or other lending entity, you’re likely to be refunded. Don’t forget about other, less traditional ways of funding business projects like construction, venture capitalists, and crowdsourcing. They are more likely to make money available for an existing company like yours than for an untested start-up.

Construction Management in Sacramento, CA

Ready to get started on a commercial construction project? Contact Headwaters Construction Inc. today. Our team of commercial builders would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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.

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.

The Future of Construction Post COVID-19

The Future of Construction Post COVID-19

The Future of Commercial Construction Post COVID-19 

The Future of Construction Post COVID-19The COVID-19 crisis has hit many commercial construction companies hard, making many of us wonder about the future of construction post-COVID-19. Projects have been put on hold, and many have been canceled. To many, the future looks shaky at best, but this needn’t be the case. Construction companies in Sacramento and elsewhere can take a number of measures to not only survive this situation but also come out of it stronger. Today on the blog,  our commercial builders highlight some of those helpful measures.

Pay Special Attention to Financial Stability

Commercial construction companies in Sacramento need to review their corporate and capital budgets. Additionally, they should look at any additional alternatives to generating funds. This will help as adjustments can be made to weather the current storm. However, the lack of clarity about the direction of the pandemic makes it hard to conduct financial reviews and adjustments.

A possible way around this challenge is to engage in robust scenario analysis for each project and market. This case-by-case approach is critical since each ground-up construction project is unique and has its own contractual requirements. Tools that generate different models for various conditions can help Sacramento construction companies make data-driven decisions about how to keep costs manageable during and after this difficult time.

Staff Safety and Engagement

The stay at home orders issued in the wake of the pandemic had immediate effects on construction sites. Our neighbors at Gilmore Heating, Air & Plumbing, Sacramento HVAC company, explains that they’ve had to make tons of adjustments in their day-to-day business. This is because a significant number of workers have to be present on the job site during typical workdays. Construction companies now need to pay even more attention to PPE, especially with regard to disease prevention, and it is possible to take additional measures (staggering work shifts, for example) to reduce the number of employees at sites at any given time.

For those who can work from home, special attention has to be directed towards cybersecurity. Sensitive project and company information is likely to be transmitted over the home internet connection. Unfortunately, that can create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. Regular communication with telecommuters can avert most avoidable threats.

Inevitably, some employees may have been furloughed due to the pandemic. These staff members needn’t be neglected during the pandemic because they may have skills that are in short supply when normal conditions prevail. Strip mall construction firms and other companies in the construction sector are therefore advised to consider upskilling their furloughed employees so that they can remain useful to the company.

Supply Chain Evaluation

The harsh economic effects of the pandemic are undeniable. Commercial construction companies need to assess how the lockdowns have affected their planned or ongoing projects. For example, Sacramento construction companies with overseas suppliers may have suffered disruptions, and supplies may not come through as expected.

Our team advises you to contact your suppliers. This will help understand the specific supply chain vulnerabilities you are exposed to. Find out what challenges they are facing in their operations. Generate a dashboard depicting this information and keep updating it as the pandemic evolves.

Now maybe the time for you to discuss project flexibility with your supply chain. Additionally, and it is time to look at the real possibility of having to change suppliers in case the current ones become casualties of the pandemic.

Don’t forget to analyze the legal implications of every decision you make. The current situation isn’t an excuse for you to act without thinking through your contractual or other obligations.

Bolster Your Financial Position

The cash flow of many commercial construction companies has likely taken a huge hit during this time. This is due to stalled projects or accounts receivables that can’t be collected. Without cash, a construction company can go belly up quickly. Now is, therefore, the time to look into government financial support, restructuring credit facilities, and looking for ways to raise additional equity. The survival of your Sacramento construction company depends on how well you keep cash flowing.

Raising resources shouldn’t only be focused on staying afloat during the crisis. When the pandemic is brought under control, and a degree of normalcy returns, you’ll want to be prepared. Only those sector players who manage to have a healthy balance sheet will reap the benefits of the numerous contracts aimed at stimulating growth. Such companies can also grab the choicest merger and acquisition opportunities. These are the inevitable outcome of such a crisis.

The bottom line is that this pandemic presents an excellent opportunity for commercial construction companies to rethink how they do everything. Not all companies are likely to emerge out of this unscathed. Certainly, you don’t want yours to be one of the Sacramento construction companies that go under. Are you ready for the future of construction post-COVID-19?