Commercial General Contractors play multiple instrumental roles during commercial building construction, renovation, or remodeling. Their expertise allows them to keep the project running smoothly and efficiently per the client’s specifications.

They are accustomed to the unique work environment that exists on commercial construction sites. Moreover, they know the unique building materials and construction techniques used for commercial properties. Visit Website to learn more.

Building codes are enforced in order to protect occupants of commercial structures from safety hazards. They also provide a guide for property owners, builders, and architects when it comes to designing, constructing, and renovating a project. Following local codes has a host of benefits that can boost business, while ignoring them can have the opposite effect.

Local laws and regulations are typically enforced through the review of design plans, on-site inspections, and other measures. However, the most important part of ensuring that building code standards are met is for the designer/general contractor to ensure that all aspects of a project are compliant with the rules and regulations set forth by each jurisdiction.

In some cases, a permit may be required for every aspect of a construction project. This includes everything from the foundation and structural components to the paint and insulation. However, some small projects that affect health and safety can be done without a permit. This may include painting, adding trim, or replacing a fixture like a light bulb. However, any changes that involve the structure itself or the means of egress require a permit.

The timeline for obtaining a permit can vary significantly depending on the project and the jurisdiction. It’s best to discuss the complexities of a particular job directly with your permit office to get a better idea of how long it may take for you to secure the necessary approvals. It’s also helpful to connect with an experienced building team that has experience working in your jurisdiction.

It’s also worth noting that building codes change on a regular basis. The process to update these rules is designed to encourage innovation in the building industry and drive improvements in the overall quality of buildings. For instance, new codes often reflect the consensus of desired features by stakeholders including consumers and manufacturers. As a result, up-to-date building codes help to create a more competitive market and boost the economy by encouraging businesses to invest in innovative products. In turn, this can make existing structures more safe and sustainable for future generations.

Developing an Effective Risk Management Plan

As a contractor, you must develop an effective risk management plan to ensure that the safety and welfare of your employees, subcontractors, and project stakeholders is protected. You can do this by conducting a thorough risk assessment and developing a set of emergency protocols that clearly lay out the responsibilities of each party in the event of a critical incident occurring.

A good place to start is by studying past risk assessments your company has conducted and learning from them. This can help you identify what worked and what didn’t. You can then use these lessons learned to create an effective risk management plan for your current construction project.

The next step is to assess the likelihood and impact of each identified risk. One way to do this is by creating a 3×3 priority grid, known as a risk assessment matrix, which will allow you to rank the risks according to their potential impact and probability. This will help you determine which risks are most important to mitigate and take steps to reduce their impact.

There are times when it is unavoidable to accept certain risks, but these should be limited and only done with significant due diligence. Some examples include weather-related delays or an inability to find qualified subcontractors.

Another aspect of risk management involves preventing workers from becoming injured or sick on the jobsite. This can be achieved by implementing safety policies and procedures that are regularly reviewed. Additionally, it is important to track and monitor worker certifications to ensure that only credentialed individuals are allowed on the jobsite. 

Maintaining Contract Documentation

During the construction of a commercial building, many different documents and records must be kept. These include architectural drawings, blueprints of the building, project schedules, and change order forms. It is important to maintain a system for filing and retrieving these records.

This is essential for project efficiency and accuracy, as well as legal safeguards. Having an organized system can help ensure that all stakeholders have access to the information they need and can find it easily.

It is also important to keep all of the project documents for the entire duration of the contract. This includes documents inherited from the pre-construction and construction phases. It is surprising how often issues that were agreed on during these periods resurface during the operational phase of a project.

In addition to keeping records of all construction activities, a good contractor will also monitor the work quality delivered by subcontractors. They will inspect whether the work complies with the project specifications and resolve any discrepancies. This is done to prevent issues that may escalate into dispute and delays.

A good commercial general contractor will also have a team of inspectors to examine the materials and equipment used for construction. This is to ensure that they are of the highest quality and can withstand heavy use. This can help minimize maintenance costs in the future.

The contractor will also maintain a detailed project schedule that lists the tasks needed to complete each phase of the construction and the time required for each task. This will enable all parties to be cognizant of the project timeline and provide leverage when schedule problems occur.

Another vital document is the General Conditions portion of the overall construction contract agreement. These provisions determine the rights and responsibilities of both parties, define sourcing policies, set different deadlines for payments, and regulate how changes to the scope of work are handled.

Finally, the commercial general contractor will maintain a calendar for monitoring and tracking monthly activities such as site visits and financial monitoring. This will allow Strategic Supplier managers to track the progress of contractors, identify issues that require escalation, and determine whether or not the contractor is meeting its obligations under the contract.

Keeping Project Stakeholders Informed

A commercial general contractor manages the construction of larger building structures including office buildings, retail complexes, convenience stores, and more. They typically oversee the construction process and work closely with a team of architects, engineers, and technicians to ensure that all project requirements are met and deadlines are observed. They also procure materials and equipment necessary for the build and hire subcontractors with specialized skill sets to perform masonry, electrical work, plumbing, and other tasks. Keeping stakeholders informed about progress is one of the most important duties of a commercial contractor.

In addition to ensuring that all construction activities are completed according to the project plan, a good commercial general contractor is highly skilled at logistics management. This is why they are often hired to oversee major city construction projects because they understand how to manage resources and meet timelines to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness.

They are also able to work well with a wide range of contractors, suppliers, and vendors. This means that they can negotiate with vendors to get better pricing for materials and equipment, and they are aware of the specialized skills sets required by different types of work. For example, a good commercial contractor will know when it is appropriate to use a landscaping company or a specialty stonework company instead of an ordinary construction company for a specific task.

Finally, a good commercial general contractor will be familiar with the building codes and permit regulations that apply to the type of project they are working on. They will be able to advise their clients of the permits that will need to be obtained and help them avoid fines and other penalties by adhering to the relevant regulations.

Identifying and analyzing the interests of all stakeholders is the first step in managing them effectively. A commercial general contractor can make this easy by creating a stakeholder matrix and documenting each individual’s power, interest, and influence in the project. Stakeholders that fall into the upper-right quadrant should be given special attention because they can have a large impact on the project’s success or failure.