While residential construction continues to falter because of the economic downturn, nonresidential commercial construction projects continue to chug along nicely.
That’s thanks to a ballooning backlog of projects, with the ABC Construction Backlog Indicator showing an 8.7-month backlog as of August 2022.
These are the most common commercial construction projects you will likely tackle, so keep reading to familiarize yourself with their unique needs and nuances.
1. Office Building Commercial Construction
It’s a project category that ranges from single-story office buildings to skyscrapers. It may be necessary to customize the building’s layout to the client’s specific needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
In any case, you’ll need to factor in restrooms, safe rooms for server rooms, communication cable pathways, and sufficient ventilation and natural light. Remember to incorporate fire exits and flood control.
2. Car Dealership
Here, you have to go for an eye-catching design that embodies the company’s brand, based on a traditional or modern showroom, or a combination of both.
Whichever type of design you settle on, ensure it facilitates easy movement of cars in and out of the property and considers the safety of the vehicles.
3. Autobody Shop
The most important design considerations are safety and functionality. To get the facility up and running, the project team must consider an efficient design encompassing the administrative space, loading and repair areas, storage, and customer waiting room.
4. College
Since it encompasses components of various commercial construction types, college construction necessitates the expertise of specialists from a wide range of fields. A college is home to several buildings, including:
- Classrooms
- Libraries
- Offices
- Cafeterias
- Storage rooms
Each may have its distinct look and set of supporting structures. A network of roads and walkways should connect the campus’s housing and academic buildings, and you also have to think about the strategic placement of sanitary facilities.
5. Sports Center or Gym
It may not seem like it, but the CDC states that 53.3% of American adults meet the physical activity guidelines. They accomplish this mainly through sports centers or gyms, which have a unique set of construction needs.
For one, you’ll need to include several sizeable restrooms for guests. Further, the gym or sports center must accommodate staff and communication needs, including meeting rooms, changing rooms for players, arena space, janitorial storage, and security and medical center.
6. Parking Lot
When numerous vehicles enter and exit a building at once, it might be deadly if not adequately designed. They present a host of safety and security challenges, which explains why they must comply with various regulations and standards.
Commercial parking lots should have good drainage, a gravel base, traffic signage, asphalt markings, and parking barriers. The community might also demand that it looks like an ordinary building rather than one that sacrifices looks at the altar of function.
7. Commercial Bathroom Project
These are the restrooms in places frequented by the public, including malls, parks, airports, restaurants, offices, or medical institutions. To meet the needs of the enormous number of customers, you must consider the number of users, serviceability, and water savings.
That’s not even mentioning that it must allow for easy access by people living with disabilities, follow local codes and regulations requirements, and be durable enough to withstand the frequent abuse it will face from customers.
Final Word
Commercial construction projects can take many forms, and you’ll likely land one of the abovementioned projects. There are specific factors to consider that are unique to each, as well as rules and regulations specific to that state and type of construction project.
It would help to familiarize yourself with the construction requirements for each one, allowing you to complete the project to the client’s satisfaction.