Construction Consultant: What Do They Do?

construction consultant - Headwaters Construction Inc

construction consultant - Headwaters Construction IncAre you new to the world of commercial construction or retail renovation? You’re probably wondering why you should hire a construction consultant for your upcoming commercial construction project. In this article, you’ll discover how a construction consultant can be an invaluable member of your team.  

Preparing Contracts and Selecting Competent Contractors

One of the important roles that a project consultant, such as Headwaters Construction Inc., performs is taking the responsibility of contracts off your hands.

When you receive bids from different contractors, the construction consultant steps in to evaluate the bids submitted. To identify the best contractors, they will review all the contractors and finally selects the most competitive one.

The construction consultant can also negotiate with other contractors in your favor. This is an invaluable role that you may not be able to perform as a project owner.

Administering the Construction Project

When construction finally begins on your commercial project, the construction consultant acts on your behalf to make sure that the contractors are fulfilling their duties. 

The commercial construction company or individual that you have hired will also inspect the project to ascertain that the contractor is working efficiently.

If for whatever reason, the contractor deems it necessary to alter the project design, he or she must ask your construction consultant for approval of such changes. Hiring a construction consultant is the way to go if you don’t want to be involved in the nitty-gritty details.

Optimizing the Construction Project

Construction consultants like Headwaters Construction, Inc. have worked on dozens or even hundreds of tilt-up construction or other commercial construction projects similar to yours. Take a look at our projects to get a general idea of some of the projects we’ve worked on. Our construction experts will tell you everything you need to know about your construction project so that you save time and money. You can trust Headwaters Construction to get the best results possible.

Conflict Resolution

Sometimes, conflicts or disagreements may arise between any of the parties involved in the commercial construction project. For example, you (the project owner) may disagree with the contractor on issues of order changes. A disagreement has the potential to derail the entire project if it isn’t resolved quickly. 

The construction consultant will step in to protect your interests and resolve the misunderstanding. Headwaters Construction, Inc. is experienced and highly competent in all aspects related to commercial construction. 

Keeping the Project on Schedule

The construction consultant will let you know if your commercial project will be finished on time. Construction consultants have no problem nudging the contractors to meet deadlines. We understand that time is money, and if a project falls behind, it can be costly. Most importantly, projects that stay on schedule make it possible for you to see an ROI sooner than later.

As you can see, the construction consultant puts your needs first. This is a valuable member of your team because some of the things that you are expected to take care of are way beyond your technical competence. So, having the right construction team goes a long way in ensuring that everything progresses smoothly. If you would like a construction consultant who gives you the peace of mind that you need for your commercial, contact us at Headwaters Construction to learn more about our consulting and planning services. 

2020 Architectural Trends for Your Commercial Building

2020 architectural trends

2020 architectural trends5 Architectural Trends That Will Dominate 2020 and Beyond

When you take a close look at the world of interior design and architecture, it is possible to pinpoint the specific “look” that dominates a given decade. Since 2020 marks the dawn of a new decade, Headwaters Construction, Inc., the best commercial builder in Northern California, has decided to share the following trends that are likely to gain prominence this year and the entire decade. As you plan to construct or renovate your commercial building, try to incorporate as many of these architectural trends as you can so that your building fits the times.

Old is Gold

You may have noticed that vintage clothing and other second-hand items are back in style. This return to things of old hasn’t left the world of interior design and architecture behind, and retail renovation contractors predict that upcycling old buildings for new uses will gain more prominence not only this year but the entire decade as well.

The recent economic upturn partly drives this surge of interest in repurposing old buildings after several years of recession that saw many buildings degenerate into disuse or their construction ground to a halt after the developer went belly-up.

The economic upturn of recent years has given older structures a new lease of life. For example, a structure that once housed a flour mill can be repurposed to be a new office block. The uses to which these old buildings can be put are nearly endless, according to experts at Headwaters Construction, Inc.

Art Deco is Back

For almost two decades, slick surfaces, such as slick glass facades, held sway. However, this design approach seems to have run its course, and Headwaters Construction, Inc. is seeing more clients requesting bold patterns, multi-layered features, and other elements of art deco. This design shift is partially being driven by the trend discussed earlier (repurposing old buildings) since those slick, flat surfaces tend to look out of place in an old building that is having new life injected in it.

Green Building Design

Energy costs have been rising dramatically over the years, and more people have become conscious about the impact of every human activity on the planet. These two realities have created an immense demand for sustainably built and used structures, and Headwaters Construction, Inc. sees a sweeping trend of green building for not just new commercial construction projects but also renovations.

Green building design is making itself felt not just in renewable energy but also in the inclusion of more natural lighting, water conservation, as well as the use of reclaimed or recycled materials.

If you think that green building is yet to reach near you, are the words “vertical gardens” and “living walls” familiar to you? I guess they are, so you can bet that this decade will take green building design to a whole new level.

Maximalism

For more than a decade, minimalism was the in-thing as commercial builders and homeowners did everything to minimize how much décor, materials, and other features were included in building designs.

Minimalism was justified at a time when economies were struggling, and prices of things went through the roof. However, the plain colors, minimal decoration, and glass facades appear to have fallen out of favor. This has ushered in the decade of “maximalism.” In this trend, commercial builders explain that ostentation is king.

This boldness manifests itself in terms of intricate designs, strong shapes, and other manifestations of ostentation.

The Rebirth of Patterns and Color

At the time when minimalism was the favored trend, muted or neutral colors like cream, gray, and chrome were very common and preferred. In 2020 and beyond, Headwaters Construction, Inc. reveals that magenta, Living Coral, Neo Mint, and other bold colors will push gray, black, silver, cream, and other such minimalist colors to the wayside.

Commercial builders say that one of the reasons why bold colors and patterns are taking center-stage of late is the advent of social media. Businesses want their clients to share content about their establishments, and interior design, as well as architecture, are adapting to make buildings good for Snapchat, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

If you are looking for a commercial construction company that can bring these cutting-edge architectural trends alive through consulting and planning, contact us at Headwaters Construction, Inc. We pride ourselves in our ability to translate a client’s dream into reality.

How to Control Costs During Construction

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how to control costs during construction - commercial construction companyConstruction project costs can quickly spiral out of control if deliberate measures aren’t set in place. At Headwaters Construction, Inc., we pride ourselves in being able to deliver, on a consistent basis, completed projects that are within budget regardless of the fluidity associated with commercial construction projects. Here are some of the concepts that guide and help us to control costs during construction.

Budget Forecasting

It can be daunting to forecast a construction budget correctly, but this activity is an important one if a commercial construction company is to remain profitable. A budget forecast not only controls the overall costs but also protects the profits of the tilt-up construction company.

At Headwaters Construction Inc., we are always very transparent with our clients.

Project Scope Definition

Another concept that has served us in good stead over the years is a retail renovation or commercial construction scope definition. We never get started on any project before we have clearly mapped out the specific deliverables agreed upon with the client.

That notwithstanding, we are cognizant of the fact that project scopes aren’t static, so we are always ready to adjust as and when the need arises during the execution of a given project. The cost implications of any scope changes are carefully weighed and integrated into the budget forecast, as well as all our other cost management mechanisms.

Being Specific

We have mastered the art of being specific in everything that we do, such as when talking to employees at a job site, when renting equipment, when assigning projects, and any other construction-related activity.

We are well aware that when we are specific, we go a long way in saving money and time because no one will second-guess what is expected or required. For example, when we need to rent a piece of equipment (a heavy-duty crane, for example) during a tilt-up construction project, we first forecast how much time will be required for that equipment to perform the needed work. Thereafter, we rent the equipment for that duration for which we need it and no more. In this way, we keep our costs minimal since no equipment that was rented will sit idle just because we paid for it, and it isn’t yet time to return it.

Forecasting Resource Usage

When you are specific about what needs to be done, you make it a little easier to forecast how you will be using the resources available to you during the commercial construction project.

Forecasting resource usage may not always be as accurate as we would like it to be, but the effort helps to keep a handle on various costs that can easily spiral out of hand.

Keeping Accurate Records

If it hasn’t been captured in writing, it doesn’t exist. At Headwaters Construction, we are sticklers for record-keeping and make sure that we are as accurate as possible when documenting everything connected to a commercial construction or renovation project.

We use project management software that takes charge of everything from equipment tracking, punch lists, pricing, and submittal tracking, and everything in-between. 

By keeping those five concepts in mind, we get off to a good start on every project that we undertake, and by putting those concepts into practice, we make it possible to keep project costs manageable from start to finish. If you are tired of commercial builders who can’t seem to keep costs in check, get in touch with Headwaters Construction, Inc. You will experience for yourself how high-quality commercial construction can be completed without overshooting the available budget.

Tips for Construction Succession Planning

tips for construction succession

tips for construction successionOne shortcoming that many smaller construction companies have is that they rarely think about succession planning as a management function. Such companies end up handling issues of succession in an ad hoc way by just hiring or promoting anyone that they think will fit the roles available. This can be a recipe for disaster, especially given how sensitive construction work is. Rather than take a reactive approach to succession, Headwaters Construction, Inc., a commercial construction company, suggests that you systemize succession by considering the following factors.

Keep Your Eye on Job Requirements Rather Than Personalities

Succession isn’t about replacing someone who has died, retired, or quit. It is about finding someone that can perform the job available to the highest standard possible. For this reason, commercial construction companies should devote time and effort to writing down a detailed job description outlining what exactly they’re looking for.

As you write those job descriptions, be reasonable, and avoid expecting too much from a given role or employee. If you demand too much, it will be hard for you to find someone that succeeds in that role. It is, therefore, better for you to stick to just the tasks logically expected from someone holding a given position.

For example, tilt-up contractors may be going overboard if they expect project managers to be able to fill the role of every position, i.e. operating construction equipment. The best HVAC company in Sacramento, Gilmore Heating, Air, and Solar, are another great example of a company that has an outstanding team.

Match Current Staff to Your Future Needs

You can also make succession planning at your retail renovation company or any other commercial construction company, more systematic by assessing your staff and matching each of them to one or more roles that could need filling in the future.

As you perform this matching exercise, keep in mind the skills, aptitudes, and preferences of your existing employees so that you can help them to grow into the positions that will need to be filled in the future. It is helpful to interact with your staff and learn what their career goals and aspirations are so that you can help them to grow in the direction that suits both their preferences and those of the tilt-up construction company.

Train and Avail Opportunities for Hands-On Experience

Once you have matched your current staff to your future needs, the next step is to train those employees and create opportunities for them to get hands-on experience in performing the roles for which you are preparing them.

A good starting point is by outlining the knowledge and skills that each employee needs to possess to excel at the role you wish to prepare them for.

Secondly, Headwaters Construction, Inc., the best commercial builder in Northern California, suggests that you give that person the credentials that they need to access software and information related to the role.

When you give the employee access to the tools required to perform a given role, and you train them, the transition from the employee who is retiring or is no longer available for any other reason will be seamless.

Design a Staffing and Retention Plan

A staffing plan outlines the different positions that you have as a commercial builder, together with a detailed description of each job. This plan lets you know your staffing needs so you can hire accordingly. 

The staffing plan needs to paint a picture of when each employee is expected to grow into another position. For example, moving from an entry-level role to a management role. 

Once you know what external hires you need to make, get to work filling those positions as and when resources become available.

If there is an urgent need to fill a role, but resources aren’t available to hire someone, make do with the staff you currently have. You simply pick an employee in a similar role and ask them to take on the role available while you wait to hire someone substantive for the position. For example, your project superintendent could act as a project manager until you can fill the role. 

As you can see, the measures above will make succession planning a logical and systematic process at your commercial construction company. At Headwaters Construction, Inc., our management systems have nailed succession planning, and we deliver the same high-quality work regardless of which specific employees are handling a given project. If you are planning a commercial construction,  retail renovation, or general contracting project in Northern California, get in touch with us today so that we can discuss your needs and plan the most cost-effective way to execute the project.

Using Coaching to Train Your Employees

using coaching to train your employees

using coaching to train your employeesYour employees can make or break your business. Many companies around the globe spend a lot of time and money making sure that they have the best employees in the market to ensure that they meet the company’s objectives and satisfy customers. 

You too can make sure that your employees advance your company objectives. You can also help current employees assume bogger roles within the company thus helping both you and the business to grow. 

Through coaching, you can improve employee performance and maximize success. How can you use coaching to develop your clients and increase their value in your business? Below are steps you need to take to successfully coach your employees into contributing members of your organization.

List Down your Desired Outcomes 

What exactly do you hope your employees will be able to do once coaching is done? 

You can borrow from your company’s employee job description and coach them to meet the needs of that particular job. Having a list of desired outcomes makes it easy to streamline coaching and save time. 

Use New Projects 

If you are planning to train your employees on handling a particular project, start with a new one. A new project guarantees that the employee will not encounter issues left behind by someone else. If you have to start with an ongoing project, make sure that the employee fully understands what is needed of them and be there to guide them. 

Have a Scheduled coaching timeline

Effective coaching is an intense process that requires both the coach and the trainee to be in attendance. Initially, the coach should be there to guide the employee for half of the day. This coaching time will reduce gradually as the employee gains confidence and learns what is required of them. The coach can use the watch and learn method where they do all the work as the employee watches before slowly relegating tasks to them. 

Task relegation 

With time, your employees will continue to learn how to perform tasks and gain confidence. Slowly relegate tasks to them and ensure that they can complete each task successfully. This ensures that the employees can handle everything. It also reduces training time. 

Review and Adapt

As the employee gains experience, you will review their ability to handle tasks, suggest changes and reinforce positive traits. It is also important to listen to your employee’s ideas and determine whether they can be adapted into the role. When listening to your employee’s ideas, take the time to listen and help them understand why some of their ideas may not work instead of just shutting them down. Gilmore Heating, Air, and Solar, the best HVAC company in Placerville, is a great example of a company who is always evolving and adapting.

End the Coaching Session

This happens once you notice that the employee is fully trained and confident enough to handle everything without supervision. In most companies, the end of this coaching period is marked with some sort of ceremony. From here on the employee can take up normal roles in the company and proceed with normal working processes. 

Coaching your employees to perform tasks in your community takes time and effort. However, taking this time to develop your employees through a proactive coaching process will guarantee their ability to meet the company’s objectives and meet your targets. 

 

How Strip Mall Renovation Boosts Profitability

strip mall renovations

strip mall renovationsStrip malls have been a common sight in the US for decades. Their invention allowed the localization of different services in a way that is convenient for customers. However, as years go by, strip malls are starting to face intense competition from other more convenient alternatives. Such alternatives are yet to usher the end of strip malls though. As a strip mall owner, you still have a lot more profit to make depending on how well you run your business. You can decide to make your mall pop through renovations which will, in turn, boost profit. 

Here are a few ways in which your decision to renovate your strip mall can make it more profitable. 

Roofing 

Roof designs have revolved to include different designs that might work for your strip mall. Your roof is one of the first things customers will notice about your strip mall. Therefore, tearing down an old roof and adding a new and modern one can change the face of the entire building. It helps add more character to the strip mall without necessarily taking up more space. Talk to a commercial builder to help you pick the best roofing plan for a new look for your building. 

Wall Improvement 

The good thing about renovating your walls is that you don’t even have to tear them down. In retail renovation, the simple act of cleaning up your walls and getting rid of stains such as graffiti will make the building look new. Apply a fresh coat of paint to get rid of the discoloration and you will have given new life to your strip mall. Additionally, you can decide to add art pieces on the inside to make the walls livelier and attract more customers. Get a commercial renovation contractor to help you find ways to make your walls more appealing. 

Landscaping 

Landscaping used to be a luxury item for most strip malls owners. However, it has now grown into a necessity with more strip malls spotting elaborate landscape patterns across the country. Landscaping serves two purposes, it attracts more people and shows your environmental awareness. 

Lighting 

Most strip malls are currently used by fitness retailers, financial services firms and insurance firms. These are businesses that utilize plenty of lighting to advertise their services. Make sure that your strip mall is adequately lit on both the inside and the outside. This includes any signage that alerts people of the services within the business center. Proper lighting helps improve the aesthetic value of your business. It also makes it easy and safer for business owners to run 24-hour joints. 

Walkways and Canopies 

Consider building walkways and canopies that allow people to access the shopping center regardless of the weather conditions. A canopy extending from the parking lot to the center will help people visit the strip mall when it is raining, for example. This not only ensures that there is an even stream of traffic throughout the year it also gives you more revenue-generating options by increasing the surface area to sell ad spaces. 

As long as strip malls continue to resist the e-commerce market wave, there is a lot more you can do to make them profitable. Contact Headwaters Constructions today for professional advice on how to renovate your strip mall to increase your profit margins. For assistance in consulting and planning, we are always here for you. 

Benefits of Insulated Metal Panels for Your Business

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benefits of insulated metal panelsInsulated Metal Panels are one of the most preferred construction materials by many commercial builders. They are liked for their insulation properties as well as their ability to meet any aesthetic plan or requirement. These external walls and roofs are made of two metal skins and an insulating foam core in between the skins. They are most popular with government buildings, financial institutions such as banks, recreational facilities, and manufacturing plants. 

What is it about insulated metal panes that make them so valuable to commercial builders? Below are the benefits of using insulated metal panels. 

Easy to Install

A typical concrete wall will require time and, in some cases, a number of professionals to produce the final product. The surface of the insulated metal panel can act as the finished surface. The wall itself provides everything you might need in terms of thermal, vapor, and air insulation. It is possible to carry out a one-step installation, which reduces the time required for construction by up to 50%. The fact that they can stand most weather conditions and for long, eliminates the need for additional products and reinforcement. 

Design Flexibility

Insulated metal panels come in different shapes, sizes, and forms. You can get flat or corrugated surfaces depending on what you need. You will not need to employ many structural support measures since the panels are strong. Contractors have the option of picking different profiles based on colors, finishes, and accessories, depending on whether you are looking for horizontal or vertical designs. Additionally, incorporating doors and windows will not affect the integrity and design of the panels.  

Cost-Effective

The fact that you will not require multiple vendors or products for a finished product means less cost of construction. Another cost-saving benefit that comes with insulated metal panels is their energy efficiency. They also require little to no repairs during their lifetime.

Energy Efficient

Your insulated metal panels will comfortably maintain the internal temperatures of any room. The panels are specifically designed with interlocking groove joints that have concealed fasteners to form an airtight seal. This way, the weather conditions on the outside do not interfere with the set conditions inside. By maintaining the climatic conditions inside the building, appliances such as HVAC systems will have an easier time setting the right atmosphere.  

Environmentally Friendly

The metal skins used in the construction of an IMP comes from recycled steel. Further, IMPs have R-values, which indicate the panel’s thermal resistance ability. R-values are based on the type of insulation, density, and thickness, among other factors. 

They contribute to the LEED credits and Net-Zero energy targets, which recognize buildings that operate with zero carbon emissions from energy consumption. 

Their resistance to termites and mold also means that you will not be using pesticides that could harm the environment. Finally, the insulated metal panel can always be insulated at the end of its use, thus guaranteeing no wastage or damage to the environment. 

Durability 

Insulated metal panels are resistant to fire, bugs, mildew, mold, bacterial growth, and rust. This allows them to last for years without withering. 

Insulated Metal Panels are no doubt great options for anyone providing construction services and are willing to create a strong, durable, and energy-efficient space. Their ease of construction allows construction builders to create modern and aesthetically pleasing buildings. At Headwaters Construction Inc., we guarantee you the best service when setting up any structure using the insulated metal panels. Contact Headwaters Construction today with your construction project for personalized and professional service. 

 

7 Ways to Renovate Sustainably

renovate sustainably - headwaters construction inc

renovate sustainably - headwaters construction inc7 Ways to Renovate Sustainably in Your Renovation

If you are planning to renovate your commercial property, consider renovating sustainably. The results will reduce the carbon footprint of the structure while endearing you to customers who are conscious about the environment. Here are some suggestions made by our experts at Headwaters Construction Inc. 

Use Eco-Friendly Paint When You Renovate

The options for people looking for eco-friendly paint are now so many that you may be spoiled for choice. As you draw up the specifications for your commercial renovation project, include zero or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint to put the finishing touch to the renovation. Such paint will not give off toxic solvents as it dries, and the paint looks and performs like the conventional versions that are chockfull of harmful chemicals. If you find it challenging to sift through the marketing hype to get the true eco-friendly paint, talk to our team at Headwaters Construction Inc., and we will point you to the best options.

Natural Lighting

As the owner of a commercial property, you are well aware of how big a dent energy bills make to your potential profits. Your upcoming renovation project should provide you with an excellent opportunity to make changes that will bring more natural light into the building. For example, you can install skylights so that sunlight can stream into the building all day. Headwaters Construction Inc. can also help in positioning reflective surfaces at carefully selected locations so that natural light can bounce off of those surfaces and saturate as much of the building as possible. The energy savings that you register with these measures will quickly add up.

Switch to LED Lighting

As any commercial property owner will tell you, artificial light contributes a sizeable portion of the monthly energy bill. You can reduce this expenditure by installing LED lighting. LED lights use a tiny fraction of the energy needed by incandescent bulbs, and the LED bulbs can last for decades. This means that less waste will fill our landfills, and you will get to save the money that would have gone to periodic replacements for your current light bulbs, all while getting lower energy bills on a monthly basis.

Draft-Proof the Building

A lot of energy leaks out through gaps in doorframes and window frames. For a commercial building, the energy loss in this way can be quite significant. In the same way, small gaps in the exterior walls, such as the points where water pipes enter the building, can also cause energy losses. Fixing all these gaps or considering window replacement during a commercial renovation project undertaken by Headwaters Construction Inc. will go a long way towards making your commercial structure more eco-friendly.

Renewable Energy

If your budget can permit it, installing a renewable energy system, such as a solar system, can go a long way in making your commercial building more sustainable. The large surface area of the commercial building’s roof provides more than ample space to install an array of solar panels, which can provide most of the energy that you need for the building. On hot sunny days, you can even supply the excess solar energy generated to the utility grid so that the amount of money you spend on energy goes down through net-metering. The energy team at Headwaters Construction Inc. can take you through how such a solar system can pay for itself over time.

Low-Flow Bathroom Fixtures

Bathrooms are water guzzlers, and this takes on larger proportions for a commercial building, such as a shopping center. Use the renovation project as an opportunity to install water-conserving features in all bathrooms. These include dual-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads. You can also replace the old tank-style water heaters with on-demand (tankless) water heaters to reduce the energy requirement of availing hot water within your commercial building. Our experienced commercial retail renovation experts will work with your design team (if you have one) to identify the most cost-effective way to make all bathrooms more eco-friendly.

Surfaces from Recycled Materials

Another good way to enjoy cost-savings while making your renovation project more sustainable is by opting for surfaces that are made from recycled materials. These may range from floor tiles made from recycled auto glass to stylish work surfaces like backsplashes and countertops that are made from recycled materials.

As you can see, there is almost no end to the different ways in which you can renovate sustainably. At Headwaters Construction Inc., we have executed commercial renovation and restoration projects that placed a high premium on sustainability. We are therefore best placed to undertake your renovation project if you want to take sustainability a notch higher, so talk to our team and learn how we can be of help in attaining your project objectives. For more information on our projects or services, contact us today.

 

Planning a Retail Renovation Budget

planning retail renovation budget - headwaters construction

planning retail renovation budget - headwaters constructionRetail renovation is an important activity for anyone running a retail store. Renovations allow you to fix, replace, or simply improve the face of your retail store. This makes it easy for your customers to relate to your store and enjoy the shopping experience. 

While renovations are an important part of your business cycle, they require money. As a store owner, it is important to have the right budget before embarking on any renovations. This prevents you from getting stuck in the middle and having an unfinished store. 

Here are some of the things you need to know when planning your retail renovation budget. 

Design 

Design, or more specifically redesigning your store, can cost you anything from a few thousand dollars to a whole lot more. The more extensive the redesigning process, the more money you are likely to spend. 

Additionally, if you plan on hiring a designer, make sure to set aside at least 20% of your entire budget as their fee. You can choose to perform slight design changes such as changing fixtures and repositioning certain items around your store to save on costs.

Flooring and Ceiling  

Flooring and Ceiling are likely to be your landlord’s responsibility. Your lease should have detailed information on who is responsible for flooring and ceilings between you and your landlord. 

However, if you are planning to add any cosmetics on the floors to match the mood of your store, you will incur costs. 

Plumbing 

This mostly pertains to the bathroom. 

Does your store have a bathroom? 

If no, does it require one? 

If yes, do you need to change the position of the bathroom? 

You are likely to spend less money if you have a bathroom and do not need to move it. In this case, a fresh coat of paint will do. If you need to add a bathroom or move it to a better position perhaps for the benefit of you and your customers, then you will incur greater costs. 

Set aside some money to hire different professionals such as a structural engineer and plumber to make sure that your bathroom is made or moved the way you want. You can also employ the services of a commercial renovator to handle everything for you. 

Electrical 

This is yet another avenue where your expenditure depends on your preferences. If your retail renovation involves altering the lighting structure and making additions for more intricate lighting to fit the mood of your store, then prepare to spend more money. 

You can cut costs by using existing wiring and fixtures. However, this might not work in all instances as some stores need specific lighting. Finally, take into account any power load increase that will happen after the renovation. This is likely to be caused by the addition of more equipment using more power in your store. 

Millwork

This entails any woodwork such as doors, flooring, wall paneling, crown molding, etc. The material, quantity, and space required for your millwork will determine how much money you spend on your renovations. The more intricate and detailed the designs, the more time and money you are likely to spend on renovations. 

Now that you know what you need when planning a retail renovation budget, you can take the next step. Retail renovation is a great step towards making your store look better. Make sure to involve a general contractor or commercial construction company like Headwaters Construction Inc. for professional services.

How Drones Are Improving the Construction Industry

how drones are improving the construction industry - headwaters construction

how drones are improving the construction industry - headwaters constructionDrones have been an important addition to technology for decades. Up until 2006, drones were only used for military purposes. However, 2006 saw the first commercial drone license issued. Since then, people have been using drones in a wide range of areas to provide real-time data. 

Commercial construction companies have taken up drones and are increasingly using them to carry out different functions. These special drones are equipped with special cameras and software to help them collect the kind of data that helps them make better decisions regarding construction. Construction companies use drones to work faster and produce better results. 

Here are some of the ways in which drones are improving the construction industry. 

Aerial Data Collection

This is the most important reason why drones are important in the construction industry. Drones provide a bird’s eye view to different terrains. They provide more accurate data and in a shorter period of time. Using drones equipped with the right software allows construction companies to make more accurate calculations for the area, volume, and distance during different stages of construction. Many companies use drones for their tilt-up construction projects.

Drones Improve Communication and Management

Commercial builders are better able to communicate and manage workers through drone technology. These drones are equipped with cameras that provide real-time video feedback for communication and surveillance purposes. This has helped increase efficiency at the job site by a considerable margin. Drones also make it easier to manage different construction sites at the same time. 

Drones Help Improve Security 

Today, drones are revolutionizing how commercial construction companies are dealing with incidences such as theft and vandalism. Drones used for security purposes are able to perform actions that ground-mounted cameras are not able to, such as tracking moving subjects using laser technology and covering areas that are out of reach. They are easy to maneuver and more flexible. 

Efficient Transportation 

It is now easier to transport time-sensitive materials from one point to another using drones. Many commercial construction companies enjoy this perk. Since drones do not have to deal with regular traffic or adhere to traffic rules, they can easily be used to transport material using half the time and resources. 

Marketing and Promotion

Drones have improved how construction companies market and promote their work. It is now possible to film aerial shots of different areas during various stages of development, create and develop 3D renderings, videos, and pictures to provide multiple angles for better visualization. 

This has allowed contractors to help clients see the viability of different projects. Drones are also helping contractors show job progress to clients.

Safety and Insurance

One of the reasons why commercial construction requires high safety standards is for insurance purposes. With the rising cost of insurance for such projects, drones are making it easier to inspect safety procedures in job sites. It is also possible to determine the quality of work and avert accidents in a timely fashion. 

Drones are revolutionizing the commercial construction industry. For more information, advice on how to make your construction stand out, contact Headwaters Construction Inc. and enjoy our professional service.