Tag: sacramento construction company

Types of Commercial Building Projects

Types of Commercial Building Projects in Sacramento

The types of commercial building projects have similarities and differences, depending on the exact type of building. Certain elements of those tasks will be identical, but understanding the many subtleties that are necessary will make the final decision of which commercial construction firm to hire a simpler process. Today on the blog, our General Contractor Sacramento shares the types of commercial building projects that are built in today’s market.

Restaurants

When it comes to restaurant chains, adhering to the corporation’s rules is critical. Our Commercial Building Renovation Contractors explain that a unique strategy for particular organizations makes an impact. Specifically, in terms of client comfort and employee flexibility. Additionally, understanding local rules pertaining to safety and other kitchen-related issues is important.

Grocery and Retail Stores

Since grocery stores and retail stores are visited by many, the general layout of the building is critical. This implies that the appearance of both the interior and outside must take into account more fluid mobility. This makes it vital to hire an experienced Sacramento construction company.

Hotels, Motels, and Other Lodging

This mostly focuses on the hotel and motel industries. This is a concerned such as ease of access as well as the level of comfort and privacy provided to visitors. Some motel building projects are quite simple, but large motels necessitate the use of an expert hand for that particular business development. Our commercial contractors explain that knowing that the ability to enjoy peace and quiet is important for this type of business. Additionally, this sort of construction must occasionally balance problems. For example, sound-proofing and technological advances. This can be done by a local company like Specialized AV, Commercial Audio Video Installation Sacramento company.

Athletic Buildings

When this is discussed, massive stadiums are frequently the first thing that springs to mind. Smaller facilities for high schools, fitness centers, and other recreational spaces, on the other hand, can be included in the same sentence. These buildings frequently need the inclusion of elements such as bleachers or other essential objects in the overall project, while also taking visitor safety carefully.

Corporations and Offices

The scale of these structures ranges. They can range from practical facilities for a small business to skyscrapers. The sort of business that will use this facility may necessitate a different strategy than a cookie-cutter one. Simultaneously, building needs such as restrooms and fire escapes must handle critical access problems.

Hospitals and Medicine

Hospitals will always be needed, but smaller clinics and facilities, like vet offices, should be considered. All of these locations require a structure that allows for simple movement for workers and patients while also allowing for potentially life-saving equipment. In this case, accessibility must be mindful of the fact that the facility will most likely be used by people from various walks of life.

Commercial Building Projects in Sacramento, CA

Contact Headwaters today to discuss your commercial building project types in Sacramento. We are skilled in ground-up construction, tilt-up construction, commercial renovations, and more! Our professionals are here to support you!

What’s the Difference Between Ground-Up Construction and Renovation?

Ground-up Construction vs. Renovation: 2021

In most cases, when you compare construction and renovation, you are motivated by two main factors. One is that your company has outgrown its current premises, or you would like to have an additional location for your business. In this article, you will learn how ground-up construction differs from commercial renovation and understand the factors you need to consider to choose the most appropriate option for your business needs.

Ground-up Construction & Renovation Defined

Ground-up construction refers to the process of putting up a new structure on a lot where no building exists. You are building from scratch. New foundations, new walls, new footings. On the other hand, a renovation refers to the modification of an existing structure. The primary structural elements, such as the foundation, will remain. Still, your local renovation company in Sacramento may tear down an interior wall to change the building’s floor plan.

However, the professionals at Head Waters Construction, Inc. warn you that the definition of what constitutes renovation or new construction may vary from one municipality or city to another. So, it is best to check the local laws and establish which categorization applies to the project you wish to undertake.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN GROUND-UP CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

– Design Flexibility

Headwaters building and contracting professionals recommend that you consider the degree of design flexibility that you desire during your project before you opt for either ground-up construction or renovation.

In most cases, ground-up construction offers you nearly unlimited design flexibility. A blank slate or canvas allows you to make the site into anything you want. However, keep in mind that renovation puts some constraints upon your design possibilities since you must work within the existing building’s structural elements. If these constraints will be a concern, then opting for ground-up construction would be the ideal choice.

– Location

Another crucial factor that you need to think about has to do with your business’s ideal location. It may be hard for you to find a vacant lot in a desirable area where you can build the ideal premises for your business. In such a case, finding an existing building and renovating it would be a more feasible option.

– Regulatory Compliance

Building codes keep evolving, and all new structures or renovated ones have to be compliant with the latest regulations. Herein lies another consideration that Sacramento construction companies advise business owners to think about. For example, deciding to renovate a section of your current building may trigger a regulatory requirement for you to make the entire building ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant. These regulatory issues can make an otherwise straight-forward renovation process complex and costly. Building premises from the ground up becomes a more attractive proposition since you may predict all the project factors.

– Getting Construction Building Permits

The process of securing building permits for a renovation project is generally less complicated and shorter when compared to navigating the permitting process in a new structure from the ground-up. Some renovation projects may not even require a permit. However, likely, constructing a building from scratch will never have the permit requirements waived.

– Building

How soon do you want to use the new or renovated building? The duration needed to complete a renovation project is usually a small fraction of the time required to construct a building from scratch. Head Waters Construction, Inc., aconstruction company in Sacramento, recommends that people who are pressed for time opt for renovation. Similarly, those who don’t have much time should build the desired structure from the ground up.

– Concerns Over Hazardous Materials

You may have hazardous materials to contend with if you would like to renovate an older building. For example, asbestos may be found within the walls as you kick-start a project to add an extension to your business premises. According to Headwaters development experts, dealing with those hazardous materials can inflate renovation budgets and throw project timelines out of whack.

However, even vacant lots can have hazardous materials. For example, a lot located on land that was reclaimed from agricultural land, chemical industry, or even a retired garbage dumping site may have toxic waste. Therefore, it is advisable for you to commission a site or building analysis to identify any potential issues of hazardous materials before you decide whether to renovate that existing building or build on a vacant site.

– Construction Cost

Your budget is a significant determinant of whether renovation or ground-up construction is a viable option. Our friends at Tureks Plumbing Services, a home remodeling contractor in Appleton, WI, add that most renovation projects require smaller budgets than ground-up construction does. Furthermore, renovation projects can be phased so that the cost implication is spread out over a longer time. If your budget is limited, your best bet is to renovate an existing building. However, if no resource limitation exists, ground-up construction may be a better option.

As you can see, there is no clear cut answer as to whether renovation or ground-up construction is the best option for you. What can only determine the correct answer once you discuss your building needs in Sacramento with an expert from Head Waters Construction, Inc. Our professionals will recommend the most cost-effective option for your company, so give us a call today!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

commercial renovation projects ground up construction head waters construction inc sacramento commercial builders sacramento construction company sacramento renovation what's the difference between ground up construction and renovation?

Construction Site Safety Plans

The owners and contractors at commercial construction sites have two majors duties to manage. First, they must manage the risk of property damage. Secondly, they must manage injury to persons within and around the building site. Construction accidents cost money and put lives at risk. Additionally, they damage the reputation of all concerned, especially the commercial builder and the project owner. The dangers at construction sites are so serious that every year, about 20% of all private-sector employee fatalities occur. Site-Specific Safety Plans are a valuable tool to ensure that risks are mitigated against during a construction project.

Site-Specific Safety Plans are documents that indicate the particulars of the safety risks existing at a given commercial construction site. Additionally, they detail what the commercial builder plans to do to manage those identified risks. The document also indicates the health and safety obligations applicable to that site. Today on the blog, our tilt-up contractors share more information on construction site safety plans.

Site-Specific Safety Plan Requirements

Site-Specific Safety Plans have a number of attributes which include the following:

Creating a system that links various activities to different risks, together with the measures that can be undertaken to manage those risks.
They are designed to safeguard commercial construction workers and site visitors. Additionally, this includes members of the general public from the risk of being exposed to the hazards found at the construction site.
The Site Specific Safety Plan covers all contractors, the subcontractors they hire, and anyone working at that ground-up project site.
It isn’t static. The document needs to be updated as and when conditions at the construction site evolve so that the safety plan is relevant at all times.

The Site Specific Safety Plan is usually prepared by the Sacramento construction company hired as a general contractor on the commercial construction project.

Desirable Elements of a Site Specific Safety Plan

Site-Specific Safety Plans are living documents whose contents have to be implemented on a daily basis in the lifetime of an ongoing construction project. The following are some of the actionable contents of this plan;

Risk analysis
A disciplinary program for all near-miss safety incidents
CPR/first aid training
Documentation of all accidents and inspections done
Hard hat numbering system for easy worker identification
The stipulation of a competent person responsible for overseeing the implementation of safety standards
Signed site safety orientation forms
Records of subcontractor “toolbox talks” aimed at keeping them in the loop on all matters concerning the delivery of needed materials, timelines, coordination of shifts, and so on.
Written proof that all subcontractors comply with all the OSHA requirements by filling out the necessary logs.
Identification of a safety supervisor who speaks English

As the name suggests, a site-specific safety plan is customized to the conditions prevailing at a given site, so the contents of the safety document will vary in accordance with the prevailing conditions at the site. Nevertheless, there is a wrong way to go about preparing this document for a concrete tilt-up construction project or any other construction project as highlighted in the section below.

Undesirable Elements of Site Specific Safety Plans

Canned/generic site-specific safety plans. It isn’t helpful to copy and paste the contents of a site safety plan because such a document will not address the particular risks unique to the site. It is therefore worthwhile to craft a customized document that will help to avert the risks that can engulf both the commercial builder and the project owner together with other stakeholders.
Restating different standards. Different regulatory bodies, such as ANSI and OSHA, have standards that construction companies must adhere to. Some commercial builders simply extract relevant sections of those standards and restate them in the site-specific safety plans that they draft. This is unnecessary and potentially detrimental. Especially when that quoted standard is revised and the revision contradicts the earlier version. It is far better to customize the contents of the said standard to the site requirements so that anyone reading that document knows what is expected of them at that moment.

How to Improve the Specificity of a Site Specific Safety Plan

Include a diagram of the project site
Describe the project site
State the ground-up project site’s geographical location (city, street or campus, for example)
Indicate the location of all equipment, scaffolding, and all activities
State the neighboring businesses or structures
Indicate the designated travel routes for vehicles entering or leaving the concrete tilt-up construction site.
Include emergency and safety contact numbers
Describe any unusual site conditions, such as the existence of an abandoned outdoor swimming pool
Areas where site workers can take meal breaks

When a Site Specific Safety Plan is properly drafted and implemented, things work well. Our friends over at Tureks Plumbing, Appleton bathroom remodel company, agree that the chance that a safety incident will occur is greatly minimized when this is in place. Even when an accident occurs, its effects will not be as severe as the effects of an accident that occurs when there is no plan in place to guide how everyone will respond during such an event.

Construction Site Safety Plans at Headwaters Construction Inc.

At Headwaters Construction Inc., we take matters of site safety seriously. We know that an accident can delay or even result in the cancellation of a planned project. If you have been burned in the past or would like to work with a commercial builder who regards site safety as a top priority, look no further! Contact Headwaters Construction Inc. today and we will discuss your unique project needs. Our teams are made up of highly trained and experienced professionals. Choose us and leave the rest to us!

commercial builders Construction Site Safety Plans ground-up project sacramento construction company tilt-up contractors

Benefits of Hiring a Construction Company

4 Key Benefits of Hiring a Construction Company

With 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.

Benefits of Hiring a Construction Company commercial construction commercial construction companies commercial construction company in sacramento sacramento construction company Tilt-up construction

Commercial Spaces and Code Compliance

Are Your Commercial Spaces Meeting Code Compliance?

Since commercial building laws and regulations are constantly evolving, commercial spaces and code compliance can change often. Headwaters Construction Inc., a commercial construction company in California, conducts onsite code compliance evaluations. These help property owners and users recognize what is needed to bring the space up to code.

Why Should You Even Be Concerned About Commercial Spaces and Code Compliance?

Building inspectors are tasked with ensuring that all buildings comply with the current code requirements. If inspectors find that your building or commercial space doesn’t comply with the code for the area, you could face many problems. These issues could be anything from stiff monetary penalties to even jail time.

Additionally, Sacramento commercial builders say that businesses that are found to be operating from premises that don’t code compliant can face ethics violations charges. Having your commercial space reviewed for building code compliance by Headwaters Construction Inc. can protect you and your business from the risks above.

Why Do Building Codes Exist?

According to the International Code Council, building codes are important in all communities because they protect people from weather-related adverse events, fires, structural collapse, and other disasters whose magnitude could have been kept minimal, or the disaster avoided altogether.

Building inspectors or code officials work to ensure that all buildings comply with the code requirements in their area. In commercial buildings that are open to lots of people on a daily basis, inspectors are extra cautious to ensure that these businesses comply with the code requirements in force within a given jurisdiction.

When viewed from this angle, it becomes clear that building codes, and the officials who enforce them, are there for the good of everyone, so each commercial space owner or the user should do everything in their power to comply with the existing code requirements.

Why Would One Need Code Compliance Evaluation Help?

Building codes cover a wide range of aspects of a building. For example, some chapters or provisions will cover the electrical system. Other sections talk about the plumbing system and the fire prevention or suppression system.

These are technical documents that would send the head of a layperson spinning. However, the language in the codes is the daily language that commercial construction companies like Headwaters Construction Inc. use.

McQuillan Bros, HVAC company in St. Paul, MN explains that it is easy for a commercial builder to read the code and immediately know what has to be done in order to comply with those provisions.

Commercial construction companies are always in the loop. They immediately know when a change has been made to existing code, and how it affects the current buildings in the jurisdiction.

Sacramento construction general contractors like Headwaters Construction Inc. are best placed to conduct a code compliance evaluation. After, they will provide advice on what you need to do to bring your commercial space up to code.

What Else Can I Get from Code Compliance Evaluation?

When you enlist our help at Headwaters Construction Inc. to perform a code compliance evaluation, you will gain a lot. We give more than just a report that details what is out of code and how to bring it back.

In addition to the above, we will also point out what cosmetic improvements you can make to your commercial space. For example, we will point out areas of worn floors, peeling paint, needed ceiling repairs, and more!

Get in touch with us at Headwaters Construction Inc. if you’re interested in compliance evaluations. We will offer a solution that will bring your commercial space into code compliance. We can also repair the existing defects in a cost-effective way. This will make the commercial premises an enviable home for your business.

Commercial builder commercial compliance commercial construction Headwaters Construction Inc sacramento construction company

What to Consider Before Renovating Your Retail Business

Things to Consider Before Renovating Your Retail Business

As a property owner, it is your responsibility to keep your commercial buildings looking new for customers and potential renters. Whether that’s adding a new coat of paint or taking out a wall, simple modifications can make a big difference. Before you start any commercial renovation project, there are some things to consider. Headwaters Construction Inc., the best Sacramento commercial construction company, points out the key factors to keep in mind before renovating your retail business.

Your Reasons for the Renovation

Different retailers have different reasons for renovating, so first ask yourself why you want to renovate. Perhaps you want to expand the available space? Or you wish to rebrand the business? Do you want to modernize the property? Whatever your reasons, retail renovation contractors recommend that you develop a written plan that includes ideal timelines and details.

What Would You Like the Renovated Store to Look Like?

How do you envision your property to look? When consulting with a local commercial construction company, don’t be afraid to ask questions or share ideas. Our friends at Tureks Plumbing, a plumbing, and home-remodeling company in Appleton, recommend narrowing down the must-haves if you’re on a time-crunch. Establishing a complete design plan can take some time, so the sooner you have a general idea of what you want, the better. Regardless, Headwaters Construction Inc. can help. Our experienced construction team will give you their professional opinion and walk you through the construction process.

If you’re unsure about how you want to transform the space, our team can make recommendations. We also recommend that you ask employees, friends, family, or customers their opinion about potential design plans. These people, especially your employees, will give you practical suggestions since they are consistently in the space. This is also the time to work out any kinks so that we can finalize the renovation plan.

How Do You Intend to Finance the Retail Renovation Project?

Once you decide on a scope of work, and receive several bids from potential renovation contractors, add up the likely costs that you expect to incur during the project. The experienced retail renovation experts at Headwaters Construction Inc. suggest that you add a cushion of approximately 15% to your budget in order to cover any contingencies that could arise during the project.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the additional cash available to do so. There are plenty of financial options out there.

For example, you could talk to your bank about a loan whose repayment is spread out over several years instead of using your credit card to finance the renovation (which would attract high-interest rates).

How Will Your Renovation Project Affect Your Business?

As you plan the renovation project, think about the different ways your business will be affected. For example, what benefits do you plan to reap once the renovation is completed? Ensure that your expectations are realistic so that the cost of the renovation can be justified.

Adding a dressing room to a new clothing section can be a good way to generate more sales, for example. However, doubling the space allocated to an existing section in the retail outlet may not necessarily double the sales that you have been making.

Now is also the time to consider any temporary drawbacks that could result during the renovation. For instance, will you need to close the entire place or some sections can remain operational during the renovation? If you plan to close during the renovation, think of ways to create a buzz around your newly renovated premises so that you attract lots of customer traffic as soon as you reopen.

Have You Considered Your Competition?

Aim to offer a fresh shopping experience to your customers so that you are steps ahead of your competition. When your commercial renovation contractor does an exceptional job during the renovation, clients and competitors get an unspoken message that you are confident about the future of your business, and that inspires trust in your customers.

If properly planned and executed, commercial retail renovation projects can boost your business and position you as a leader in your industry. We at Headwaters Construction Inc. are available to help you during every stage of the renovation, so contact Headwaters Construction today!

commercial construction commercial construction services commercial renovation Headwaters Construction Inc retail renovation sacramento construction company

New Year, Time to Renovate

time to renovate - commercial construction company

Start Your New Renovation Project

Change can be good, and it can also be great if it is implemented in the best way possible. At Headwaters Construction Inc., we believe that making changes to your commercial property is a great way to kick start the new year. Now is the best time to put together a plan to renovate your commercial premises, whether they be an office, an industrial complex, or anything in-between. We are aware that taking on a commercial renovation project can be intimidating, so we have distilled the key steps that you need to follow for your new renovation project.

Set Your Budget and Select a Contractor Who Will Respect That Budget

One of the biggest fears that keep the owners of commercial properties awake regarding renovation projects is that some contractors disregard the budget and overshoot it, putting a strain on the finances of the project owner.

At Headwaters Construction Inc., we know that money is a finite resource for which there are many competing priorities. We, therefore, make sure that once a client sets his or her budget for a renovation project, we do everything in our power to stay within that budget. We’ll even find ways to save on some of the costs planned for.

Our commitment to respecting a client’s budget is one of the many reasons why we have become the go-to commercial builder in Washington, Oregon, and California.

Have a Detailed Design

Commercial renovation becomes less intimidating once you’ve done a little research. For example, would you like to alter the layout of your manufacturing plant so that machinery can be lined up seamlessly? Or, would you like your shopping complex to have a more modern feel?

Whatever it is that you would like to achieve, have it on paper. If design isn’t your strong point, no worries, our design team will be more than happy to fine-tune all the details you hope to have.

As a commercial renovation contractor with lots of experience under our belt, we know that the project design can be modified at any time during the renovation. So, we are always ready to work with you to see how these changes can be implemented cost-effectively.

Communication, Communication and More Communication

At Headwaters Construction Inc., we are firm believers that things can only happen once they are communicated. We, therefore, place a high standard of communicating with all our clients so that we can fully understand each client’s needs and use that same communication to ensure that the client is on the same page with us during every step of the retail renovation or any other kind of commercial and industrial renovation.

The emphasis that we place on communication with our clients and within our teams has helped us to incorporate last-minute changes to project designs without affecting project timelines and budgets. Rest assured, that once you decide to work with us, there will be no communication problems that leave you frustrated at any stage of the renovation process.

No need to go back and forth about the idea of a commercial renovation in 2020, get in touch with Headwaters Construction Inc. If you haven’t started the planning portion of your renovation, our team can help you with consulting and planning. Regardless of what stage you are in the process of we can provide you with our expertise. Start your New Year the right way with Headwaters Construction! For more information on our commercial services, view our projects or contact us today.

commercial construction headwaters construction renovate retail renovation sacramento construction company

Why Tilt-Up Is More Cost-Effective

why tilt-up construction is more cost effective - Head Waters Building

Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. As you are considering which construction method to use for your project, you might want to reflect on what Benjamin Franklin said and then select tilt-up construction. Tilt-up is a more cost-effective alternative not just at the time of putting up the structure but also throughout its expected service life. Construction experts at Headwaters Construction Inc., a Sacramento construction company, explain that the construction cost of a building accounts for approximately 11 percent of the total cost of owning that building. Therefore, your planning should factor in the long-term costs as you select a building method. Here are some of the ways through which tilt-up delivers cost-effectiveness.

It Collapses Project Timelines

During a time when the cost of major construction materials like steel experience double-digit inflation, it can get very difficult to predict what project expenses will be several months down the road.

This is where tilt construction can help bring some sanity to the construction process. This method collapses the construction timeline and makes it possible for the project to be completed much faster than it would have been possible with the traditional construction methods used.

The California construction company explains that this time collapse is possible because the work of various skilled professionals can be done simultaneously. For example, the plumbing work can be done at the same time as the electrical work since the runs for these different building systems will have been created within the tilt-up walls. Consequently, the project could even be delivered ahead of schedule and this timely completion saves you from price increases that could arise from price fluctuations when a project drags on.

Tilt-Up Delivers Energy Savings

Arizona construction company experts also assert that tilt-up construction delivers energy savings throughout the service life of the building. This is because the concrete panels form a tight building envelop, which prevents the leakage of heat.

How is this tight envelop achieved? With conventional construction services, numerous layers of the exterior structure have to be tied together. These layers include a waterproofing membrane and the exterior cladding.

Tilt-up construction reduces the approximate five layers of exterior skin on your structure to just two (the tilt-up panels and the insulation layer), making it less likely that gaps will appear where these layers of the building’s skin meet. The tighter envelop reduces the energy needed within the building. Headwaters Construction Inc. executives point out that a 55,000 square-foot school built using tilt-up technology used 23 percent less electricity on a daily basis than a 49,000 square-foot school that was built using the traditional building method. Thermal imaging studies also confirmed the better performance of the tilt-up building in comparison to other building methods. Therefore, you can be assured that you will enjoy energy savings over the life of the tilt-up building when compared to a building without tilt-up technology.

You can check out our projects using tilt construction

Reduced Lifecycle Maintenance Costs

Ask any Oregon construction company professional and they will tell you that unlike other construction materials, concrete becomes stronger the more it ages. This is another attribute that makes tilt-up more cost-effective in the long-term.

Headwaters Construction Inc. can give the concrete exterior surface of the tilt-up walls nearly maintenance-free finishes, like cast-in brick. These finishes are part of the concrete structure and will, therefore, become stronger as the building ages. In addition, the paint or other coatings used on tilt-up panels can be repaired easily or altered if you want to give the building a new look. These changes come at a minimal cost, unlike the costs that one would incur if the building had been constructed using a different method.

You can also remove windows or create others within the wall panels without creating an eyesore. This is because the sections where existing windows are removed can be closed up with concrete and painted to leave a uniform appearance with the rest of the wall. This isn’t easy to attain with other building methods and if it is attainted, there often remains a visible “patch.”

As you can see, the initial cost of constructing a building shouldn’t be the primary reason upon which you select the building method that will be used. Work with the experts at Headwaters Construction Inc. to assess different simulations of the lifetime cost of the building so that the final decision you make is the right one both in the moment and in the long-term.

You can check out our projects using tilt construction in Sacramento, CA.

commercial construction company Headwaters building sacramento construction company Tilt-up construction why tilt-up construction

What Is Tilt-Up Construction?

Don’t imagine that the world of construction has gone crazy if you observe buildings “going up in weeks.” Chances are those swiftly constructed buildings are benefiting from a style of construction called “tilt-up” construction. But what exactly is tilt-up, how recent is it, and how does it compare with other construction methods? Headwaters Construction Inc., a leading Sacramento construction company, gives you the answers to all those questions, and more.

What Exactly is Tilt-Up Construction?

Tilt-up construction refers to a construction method in which the walls of a building are precast horizontally. Tilt construction consists of lifting equipment using a crane, which hoists the panels into their position at the building site.

Headwaters development experts explain that a slab that will form the floor of the building is first completed before the precast walls are lifted into position around that slab. After that, the Sacramento construction company connects the adjacent wall panels and seals the joints between them so that the structure is weathertight.

The sides of the tilt-up panels facing outward are a “blank canvas.” The interior and exterior walls can be used in any desired way.

How Are the Tilt-Up Panels Made?

As is the case with other concreting projects, forms are made horizontally. Rebar is cut to the size of the tilt-up panels that the Headwaters building and contracting firm has been contracted to make. Premix concrete is then poured either directly from the truck’s chute or by use of a concrete pump before the panels are troweled and cured. These panels can be piled on top of each other to optimize space.

A Brief History of Tilt-Up Construction

Tilt-up construction has been around for nearly a century. For example, the barns of decades ago were lifted using the tilt-up method.

The construction boom after World War II made the popularity of this method to skyrocket since there was a shortage of labor. The recent advances in computer-aided design, as well as strides inaccurate project estimation, have made tilt-up construction almost a no-brainer for the projects where it can be used.

Is Tilt-Up Construction Catered for in Existing Building Codes?

Sacramento tilt-up construction is covered in the reinforced concrete section of the International Building Code (IBC). The Tilt-Up Construction Association (TCA) also has design guides which licensed structural engineers can refer to when designing buildings of different dimensions. You should, therefore, have no worries that your building will not be built to any existing building code.

Can Tilt-Up Construction Be Used to Build a Single-Family Home?

The advances in computer-aided design referred to earlier also mean that the greater design flexibility now allows structural engineers to design structures as small as single-family homes without making them look like a big box. Curved panels and other design features for your small home are possible with tilt-up construction.

Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, who offers residential ac services in Placerville, adds that the availability of smaller cranes has eased the task of using tilt-up construction to build single-family homes. Previously, it was too expensive and sometimes impossible to get a large crane onto a small lot in order to lift the panels into position.

How Are Doors and Other Building Openings Catered For?

You don’t have to cut openings for windows, doors or other uses after the tilt-up walls have been lifted into position. These features are built into the panels right from the design stage of your home or commercial building. In fact, provisions are made in the tilt-up panels for all electrical, plumbing and other building systems.

What Are the Alternatives to Tilt-Up Construction?

The Sacramento construction company that you hire can choose from a number of construction methods aside from tilt-up construction. These include;

Steel frame construction. This construction method is ideal for high-rise buildings. However, it involves a time-consuming, multi-step process.
Precast concrete construction. In this method, concrete walls are precast at an offsite location (a concrete manufacturing facility), and the completed panels are transported to the construction site. Standardization of the panels is possible, just as is the case with tilt-up panels. The only downside is the added complexity and cost of transporting the large and heavy panels to the construction site.
Wood frame construction. This is an alternative to steel frame construction, but this option makes a building vulnerable to fire and insect attacks.

As you can see, many options are available if you are considering putting up a new structure. Let our experts at Headwaters Construction, Inc. discuss all the available options, and if tilt-up construction is ideal for your project, then the details of the project will be presented to you by our competent team.

general construction contractor Headwaters Construction Inc sacramento construction company Tilt-up construction tilt-up construction in sacramento What is tilt-up construction