Commercial and Industrial Construction
As a construction company that has experience in both commercial construction projects and industrial construction projects, we’ve noticed some key differences between the two.
The untrained eye doesn’t see much difference between industrial and commercial construction sites, but each project type presents its own unique set of challenges. Commercial and industrial construction jobs share obvious similarities, and their successful completion depends on focused management control and coordination of every detail from initial feasibility studies to final permitting. As much as they are alike, these two project categories differ in five key areas.
1. Site Planning
From location and traffic patterns to site size and lot boundaries, every project starts with detailed analysis of the job’s physical environment. Retail centers and office complexes depend on easy consumer access, ample parking and pedestrian-friendly amenities. Manufacturing sites factor in the need for specialized conveyance requirements including 24/7 shipping and receiving, access to major highway networks and the availability of nearby air and rail transportation facilities.
2. Building Design
Because commercial buildings house service-oriented businesses, their designs revolve around floor plans that promote smooth foot traffic and space that maximizes tenant satisfaction. Exterior and interior aesthetics play a vital role in commercial design from shopping malls to corporate campuses. Industrial building design focuses on coordinating manufacturing and distribution with an emphasis on functionality. Logistics outweigh aesthetic considerations and center around efficient production as well as highly specific safety standards.
3. Supporting Infrastructure
Commercial construction infrastructure lays out a matrix of electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems that service the entire building with connections directed to various offices, retail space and public areas. While centralized, the network is designed to operate according to tenant needs. Industrial settings depend on the same consolidation, but system loads are geared towards supporting heavy equipment with specialized installations that maintain demanding production requirements and meet industry-specific regulations.
4. Project Management
Established vendors and skilled trades are essential to building malls, supermarkets and business parks. A general contractor ensures project success by coordinating suppliers and subcontractors to meet established goals. Industrial construction often calls for materials and workmanship outside the scope of traditional commercial projects. Custom fabrication, on-site equipment assembly and large-scale installations are just a few of the considerations that make industrial project management challenging.
5. Final Permitting
Before a commercial site can open its doors, it must finalize permitting and occupancy requirements that satisfy local entities. It’s unusual for a retail outlet to need approval from more than local planning and zoning boards, health departments and municipal engineering offices. Industrial and manufacturing settings go through the same rigorous process, but these larger projects must meet permitting requirements that comply with a myriad of exacting standards established by local, state and federal agencies.
Whether your next project requires industrial or commercial construction capabilities, Nationwide Construction offers more than 30 years of solid industry experience, and our comprehensive services include unique no-cost, no-obligation planning packages. Regardless of your job type, we always deliver the best general contractor services in Texas, so contact our teams today, and let us be your trusted partner in construction success.
