Uncategorized Archives - Souder Brothers Construction, Inc.

The Supply Chain: How Commercial Construction Adapted

The supply chain is a vital part of the construction industry. It involves all the aspects related to getting materials and supplies for a project, which can be complicated and lengthy with multiple players involved. In fact, there are more than 100 million workers in the U.S. alone who work directly in or indirectly through supply chains, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This blog will discuss how COVID-19 affected this crucial aspect of commercial construction projects—and how commercial construction adapted as a result.

Continue reading The Supply Chain: How Commercial Construction Adapted →

The U.S. Commercial Construction Market Outlook

The commercial construction market has rebounded faster in 2022, and more growth is expected in 2023. During the pandemic, all industries suffered a major setback, for only a select few, such as retail, industrial, and healthcare industries, to recover a year later. The broader commercial construction industry began to rebound in 2022, thanks to the rising demand due to shifting market trends.

Business owners looking to venture into commercial construction or those underway with projects must understand the current commercial construction outlook and what to expect in the long run. We have highlighted some key takeaways in the construction industry and the market indicators to watch.

Continue reading The U.S. Commercial Construction Market Outlook →

5 Questions to Ask your Potential General Contractor

If it’s your first time working with a general contractor, or even if you’ve been through construction projects before, it’s important to know what questions to ask a potential contractor. These are some questions we get asked regularly, and we hope the information is helpful to you if you’re about to take on a renovation project.

What type of clients do you work with?

Most general contractors have a niche market where they focus their talents. Some contractors will only work in certain markets, while others have a wide variety. Here at Souder Brothers we specialize in commercial and high end residential projects. We have experience in many other markets as well, and with 40 years in the industry we have the know-how to help you succeed on any type of project.

Continue reading 5 Questions to Ask your Potential General Contractor →

Construction Trends: Labor Shortage in the Industry

The “Great Recession” is in our rearview mirror, and the economy — slowly but surely — continues to recover.

Construction — like banking and real estate — was one of the key industries hit hardest by the downturn of 2008, with thousands of workers laid off, and many companies shuttering for good.

Continue reading Construction Trends: Labor Shortage in the Industry →

How to Avoid 3 Common Construction Scheduling Delays

We live in an era that values expediency. Instant gratification is crucial when it comes to how we eat, how we shop, and — most importantly for our purposes — how we build.

One of the most common questions we get in the early stages of the construction project process is: “How soon can you start?”

The second most common? “What’s the turnaround time/how quickly can this be done?”

Time crunches have become the standard for our industry, with contractors under increasing pressure to get in, renovate or build, and get out.

And we’ve adapted accordingly, prioritizing our clients’ schedules and deadlines. We know that delays can be harmful, as there’s usually not much wiggle room built into a construction schedule.

That’s why it’s crucial to know what causes construction delays and how to avoid them. Here are three of the most common things that derail construction.

Continue reading How to Avoid 3 Common Construction Scheduling Delays →

Does Your Facility Have an Emergency Natural Disaster Plan?

Preparation is key

Every time we turned on the news in 2017, it seemed like we were reading about another natural disaster.

Hurricane Harvey. Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Maria. Tornadoes, wildfires, and blizzards, all of them adding up to well over $200 billion in damage. And that’s not counting more localized catastrophes like sinkholes and earthquakes.

And now it’s 2018. The start of a new year is often a time to reflect on the old one, and to prepare for the months ahead. For property owners, this is particularly important to ensure your investment is protected to the best of your ability.

Continue reading Does Your Facility Have an Emergency Natural Disaster Plan? →

The Crucial Checklist for Commercial Property Preventive Maintenance

Do you have a preventive maintenance checklist?

Whether you own a shopping center, office building, restaurant, or retail store, failing to invest in maintenance now will cost you in the long run. It’s good practice to perform on-going maintenance on the big items listed for commercial property preventative maintenance below, while not neglecting small repairs either.

As a property owner, you want to do your best to ensure your investment is protected. The best practice is to get in the habit of performing ongoing maintenance on the big-ticket components listed below (though it’s a good idea to keep up with small repairs too).

As a commercial construction general contractor, it’s our job to know not only what equipment needs to be checked and how often, but the difference in construction costs to maintain equipment versus replacing it. Here are some items that need regular reviews to make sure your commercial property is running at optimal performance.

Continue reading The Crucial Checklist for Commercial Property Preventive Maintenance →