Many companies look to optimize their commercial buildings, but they’re unsure where to start looking. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking to make a change to your manufacturing facility.
Compare the Cost of Renovation vs New Commercial Construction
When deciding on how to approach a construction project, many factors come into play: Do we build new or renovate what we already have? Here are some monetary and time costs to consider:
Price of Building New
Traditionally, the rule of thumb is that building a new facility from scratch requires more of a company’s financial resources than renovating an existing building.
When you build a new facility, you have the opportunity to start from the ground up and design a functional building that will last the company many years. However, this also means that you’re responsible for all the sitework, utility installation, design-build, etc. The process is much more complex than renovating a building; it requires many more materials and a longer duration of time to complete the project.
Price of Renovating an Existing Facility
Compared to the price of building new, renovations are often less expensive and time consuming. However, this isn’t always the case. When you’re looking to refresh the look of your building, it’s crucial to take note of the age of the building’s original structure. If the building is outdated and falling apart, you’ll spend more money renovating it than you would if you were to build a new facility.
Since 1937, Calahan Construction has been helping businesses across the Front Range with their new, expansion, and renovation construction projects. Connect with us today to schedule a free consultation for your next project.
Consider the Steps To Designing a New Building
Building from scratch requires a significant amount of planning and approval from local authorities. There are nine crucial steps a company must follow when building a new commercial property:
Step 1: Construction Planning
This step lays the foundation for new building construction. In this step, you’ll plan out your company’s budget analysis and project timeline to ensure everything runs smoothly and according to schedule. In addition, you’ll need to choose the architectural designer and construction company you’d like to work with, so they can support you throughout the project.
Step 2: Building Design
The building design process aims to outline the size and functionality of each room, allocate the building’s connection to utilities, determine project achievability, and forecast the project timeline and costs.
Step 3: Feasibility Analysis
A feasibility analysis is essential for determining if the building will be sustainable. A feasibility assessment considers amenities and site requirements such as utility connections and on-site access. Even if your building’s design work is architecturally sound, it can fail if these factors aren’t considered.
Step 4: Design-Build
Design-build plays a huge role in the construction process. The facility’s schematic designs—such as the material used, structural features, windows, and door locations—set the stage for other building design elements: floor plans, roof plans, elevations, and other fine-tuned details.
Step 5: Working Drawings
This is the last step of the design stage; working drawings put all the details together in a document or packet that will be delivered and sent to contractors to understand the project’s scope. In this document, the project or business owner will also pitch their budget so contractors can bid on their services.
Step 6: Bidding
Bidding and design mockup work hand-in-hand. Bidding enables construction companies to evaluate proposals and give you their best price for the project. In addition to getting the best price, bidding allows the project and building owner to pick a contractor they trust to handle the job.
Step 7: Pre-Construction
After you pick a general contractor to work with to build your new commercial building, this stage gives vendors and subcontractors a list of materials to get quotes. This is also the stage where the project and building owner obtain the necessary permits and insurance requirements for construction.
Step 8: Construction Procurement Process
During this phase, the construction manager purchases all the materials, equipment, and labor needed to complete the project.
Step 9: Construction and Post-Construction
After all the preparation for the building project, it’s time for the construction process to start. Once construction is complete, a project analysis is performed, creating a list of work that does not meet specifications. This allows construction companies to identify issues that need to be tended to before the building can be occupied.
An Expansion of Facilities to an Existing Building Increases Its Capacity
Manufacturing plant expansion provides several benefits to your business’s operations. When you expand your already existing facility, you maximize scope feasibility and increase facility capacity. This enables your manufacturing operations to grow with production demand and allows you to implement new processes that enhance productivity.
Whether You Decide To Build a Manufacturing Plant, Expand, or Renovate an Existing Facility—Calahan Construction Is Denver’s Go-to General Contractor
For over eight decades, Calahan Construction has been helping industries like yours maximize their manufacturing facilities through new, expansion, and renovation construction services. Connect with us today to get started on your next construction project.
