Commercial construction is an interesting area of the industry as it offers big potential and a lot of reward. However, it also comes with some unique challenges that you do not get with residential work. The jobs are usually bigger, you have to complete them faster and you also need to be careful as there’s usually people around the area. If this is an avenue you have an interest in, you should be aware of these five potential challenges that come with commercial construction:

 

  1. ROI: The first thing to be aware of is the return on investment. That’s what the owner and business managers are concerned with as they want to see a return on the money they are putting into the property. Whether they are selling or leasing, the faster they can see a return the better which means you have to get the work done as quickly as possible.
  2. Safety: Again, you have to make safety a top priority on any construction site. However, with commercial projects it’s even more of an issue. For example, if you are remodeling an office space you need to make sure that people who work in other offices are not at risk of getting hurt by any debris or anything else associated with your work.
  3. Different laws: There are also different laws to be aware of as far as safety, how the structure is designed, plumbing, electrical, handicap access and more. You need to be aware of the differences, how they impacted the design of a building and more.
  4. More subcontractors: Chances are you will need to hire subcontractors you may not normally need for residential projects. For example, crane rental is going to be something you need on a regular basis as there are more materials that need to be moved and larger pieces that need to be put into place. Having a reliable team of subcontractors can make a huge difference.
  5. Multiple bosses: One thing that may get a little frustrating is the fact that you are answering to multiple people. On a larger project you are going to be dealing with the architect, the project manager, the owners and more inspectors. Each of these people have a say in the outcome of the project and you need to be able to work with all of them.

 

Anyone with experience in this field can tell you there are pros and cons to it. However, if you are aware of the potential challenges and have a solid strategy in place, the work should go well and you should be able to complete the project on time.