You have decided to construct a new building for retail and looking for commercial construction companies in Calgary. But you are new to the whole thing of construction and wondering what the different components are. The truth is when you build a retail building, you have multiple tasks you can face, which can become overwhelming.
That is why you need a team to handle the project management from start to finish. The person must do the planning, coordinating, and supervision. Furthermore, that person must keep the project within the budget and complete everything on time, from the negotiation and supplies to securing permits and licenses.
For this reason, we here at Astra Management have the following outlined to help you with your commercial construction process. Six steps to make your new venture a bit easier are in the process.
First Step: Development and Planning
The first phase is to find the perfect location for your new building, which is a crucial decision you must make for your project. With the help of a developer, you need to consider essential factors even before choosing your location for your commercial building. These include the following:
> You then need to verify the zoning for your new construction location.Furthermore, you need to ensure that the location has no halt on the building.You also need to ensure that nearby infrastructures can handle the needs of your business.Another important thing is to ensure that the area has enough fire hydrants to handle a fire or other emergency situation.
> On the other hand, you must ensure that the sewer and water lines can also handle your needs.
> You will need to hire a soil engineer to determine if piles are required at the location.
> Further environmental testing must be done to see if contamination is present in the soil, as removing it is costly.
> You will need a surveyor to check the boundary and elevation to provide you with a certificate for your property. It needs to show all easements.
> Lastly, the property needs checking to see if it requires re-platting; that is a long process with county departments.
Once these steps are done, you need to set a budget; the costs can average from $17 to $25 per square foot. The prices include the delivery of building packages to the foundation. If your building needs to be added finishing touches like insulation, the cost per square foot can increase up to $40.
Still, costs have risen significantly in nonresidential construction by nearly 10%. But, again, it all comes down to product expenses with the labor shortage. Yet, when looking for commercial construction companies in Calgary, they help reduce building costs as sometimes they lower the labor or material needs.
Second Step: The Pre-Design Phase
This step defines the goals of your project to establish a total amount of your costs with reasonable accuracy. At this point, your developer should introduce you to an architect with a general contractor or, even better, a company specializing in your business design to provide you with a streamlined process. During this process, the architect and builder will complete the following task for you:
> The building orientation with utility connections to the development will be determined to make the project feasible.> The determining of the project can comprise the amenities you desire, from site access, utility connections, and building orientation to other amenities as part of the project.> They will create the contract documents with a timeline established.> Each phase's construction cost will be set up, and construction documents with code-compliant designs will be included.> At this time, construction bidding will begin.
Third Step: The Design Phase
When you reach this component, you will receive a set of drawings with your final spec containing costs to the timelines for the stages of the construction. The contractors use the drawings with the final spec to construct your new building. The phase involves having professionals with the architect and builder:
1. The structural engineer will take on the responsibility for the structural design.2. On the other hand, the mechanical engineers handle the air-conditioning and plumbing plans.
3. Then you have your electrical engineers that decide the electrical design with the layout for your building.
4. As you have a commercial project, you will need a civil engineer on board to check the drainage, connecting it to the nearby infrastructure and parking lots.
5. Suppose your building has more than three stories. In that case, you also need a threshold inspector to come and conduct a structural inspection during these phases when building.
Step Four: The Pre-Construction Phase
Before you can start with any construction using contractors, they need to comply with several time-consuming steps that include:
Obtaining Building Permits
Contractors need to submit the plans to the local building department to issue them with comments on their projects. After they comply with the statements, the building department will give them a building permit.
Obtaining Insurance
The builders need risk insurance, commercial contractors' General Liability insurance, and worker's compensation insurance.
Other Steps:
1. Then you need to obtain bids from the different vendors.2. A construction team will be established with a project manager, superintendent, contract administrator, and field engineer.
3. Lastly, procurement will occur as the general contractor manages this phase to secure building materials with the services needed to start the construction project.
Step Five: The Construction Phase Starts
The first step is to have the site preparation, which includes:
> Lay out the utilities
> Arrange for the water, sanitation, and power
>Removing any vegetation
>The construction of temporary storageInspections start on the structure, building codes, HVAC, utilities, electricity, etc.
The next step will be the foundation, the framing, roofing, siding, HVAC, and interior/exterior, to the landscaping.
Step Six: The Post-Construction Phase Needs to be Done
When the project completes, can the contractor wall through your structure and create a punch list. With the list, you identify components you are not satisfied with that need attention before completing the project. Once the lists are completed, you can obtain the Substantial Completion Certificate to provide to the building official for the final inspection.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to commercial construction in Calgary, there are many steps involved, and good communication throughout the whole process is essential. In addition, you want to remain within your budget. Finally, you must select the right building products to enhance your brand during the building process.
For this reason, you need a reliable commercial construction team to stand by you throughout the process. If you need a professional commercial contractor, give Astra Construction Management a call to set up a meeting today.
