How to Get Started in Commercial Construction

What is Commercial Construction?

Commercial construction is the process of planning, designing, and building of structures used for business or commercial. This type of construction includes office buildings, retail stores, warehouses, medical centers, hotels, and industrial facilities. Projects also vary in scale from small retail shops and office spaces to large complexes like shopping malls and skyscrapers.

Commercial vs Residential vs Industrial Construction: What’s the Difference?

Commercial, residential, and industrial construction are three distinct types of building projects. Each serve different purposes and require distinct approaches, as follows:

Commercial Construction

• Generally larger in scale and more complex

• Often built with steel, concrete, and composite materials to create durable, functional spaces designed around client needs and business operations

• Must follow stricter fire safety and accessibility codes compared to residential builds

Residential Construction

• Covers homes and living spaces , including single-family houses, apartments, condos, and townhouses

• Generally uses wood framing and materials optimized for comfort, insulation, and aesthetics

• Have shorter timelines, simpler permit requirements, and are often funded by homeowners

Industrial Construction

• Involves facilities for manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and production, such as factories, power plants, and refineries

• Focuses on heavy-duty structures built to support large machinery and strict safety standards to handle hazardous materials

• Requires strict compliance with specific building codes to ensure facilities are durable and able to withstand harsh conditions, all while maintaining worker safety

8 Common Types of Commercial Construction Projects

Commercial construction involves a wide range of projects. The following are some of the most frequent commercial construction tasks.

8 Common Types of Commercial Construction Projects | SafetyCulture

1. Restaurants

2. Medical Facilities

3. Retail & Grocery Stores

4. Shopping Malls

5. Accommodations such as hotels, apartments, etc.

6. Industrial structures such as factories, warehouses

7. Institutional buildings such as high schools, universities

8. Sports Facilities

Levels and Sizes of Commercial Construction Projects

Construction projects for businesses can range from small family restaurants to mid-size office structures and large city high-rises. No matter the size, all projects must follow standards such as the International Building Code ( IBC ) and fire safety rules from the National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA ).

Here’s a closer look at how these projects differ:

Small-Scale Construction Projects

Generally, small-scale construction involves renovations, repairs, or expansions that don’t significantly alter a building’s footprint. Typically, these projects take less time to complete than mid-size or large-scale construction and require less equipment and crew members.

Examples

• Installing new windows, doors, or roofs

• Interior office renovations or remodelling

• HVAC system upgrade or installation

Mid-Scale Construction Projects

Medium-scale construction entails upgrading, expanding, and starting from the ground up. Projects are more complex than small-scale projects, such as adding a floor to a building. It implies that projects might need several months or even a year to complete.

Examples

• Buildings for businesses like mid-size offices, hotels, or medical facilities

• Construction of a new wing for an existing structure

Large-Scale Construction Projects

Large-scale construction is any project that significantly changes the footprint of a building or creates an entirely new structure. These jobs are much more complex than small or mid-size projects, often taking years to finish. Not only do they take longer, but they also require more specialized equipment and a high level of coordination among various teams.

Examples

• Buildings for businesses like large offices, skyscrapers , or shopping malls

• Infrastructure projects like airports or bridges

How to Complete a Commercial Building Construction Project

Successful commercial building construction requires several steps. Below is a high-level breakdown of the process:

Step 1: The Development and Planning Phase

This stage begins before a project is authorized and any planning begins. The initial design stage usually takes three main steps:

• Programming and Feasibility – The planning team defines the project’s goals through a feasibility study or business case. This step determines the building size, layout, and space needs.

• Schematic Design – The team then produces initial sketches showcasing space layout, materials, colors, and textures. These plans guide design development and material selection.

• Contract Documents –The final drawings and specifications are all found in these files. Bidders use these documents to collaborate on the job.

Step 2: The Pre-Construction Phase

After the bidding process, the selected contractor forms a project team before ‘breaking ground,’ as the industry says. A typical unit consists of the following members:

• Project Manager

• Contract Administrator

• Field Engineer

• Superintendent

• Health and Safety Manager

Next, the team reviews the construction site and takes care of environmental issues, such as soil testing. The city authorities will review all construction plans and findings after the site inspection.

After finalizing the strategic plan and budget, the team sources labor, materials, and expertise, including designers, architects, engineers, and other professionals.

Step 3: The Procurement Phase

This phase involves ordering, purchasing, or renting materials, tools, and services needed for the build. This stage of construction can pose more or fewer challenges depending on the project’s scope, resources available, and start date.

In the procurement phase, these items are typically purchased:

• Concrete : Usually procured and delivered within 1 day to 1 week depending on supplier location and batch size; sometimes mixed on site for faster availability.

• Steel : Lead times typically range from 2 to 8 weeks depending on fabrication requirements and supplier schedules.

• Lumber : Procurement usually takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on wood type and supplier inventory.

• Masonry materials : Lead times vary generally between 1 to 4 weeks depending on type and supplier.

• Drywall and insulation : Typically procured within 1 to 2 weeks.

• Roofing materials : Usually 1 to 3 weeks procurement time.

• Paint and finishes: Generally 1 to 2 weeks depending on order size and specialty products.

• Construction equipment : Rental or purchase lead times can range from a few days for common equipment to 2-4+ weeks for specialty or custom equipment.

• Heavy vehicles : Procurement or rental often takes 1 to 4 weeks.

Step 4: The Construction Phase

This is where all planning and coordination come together. Before any construction begins, the project manager, design, and engineering teams have already worked hard to set the project up for success. During construction, control falls to contractors and subcontractors.

Construction managers oversee quality control, safety, and scheduling, ensuring every stage aligns with contract documents, Requests for Information (RFIs), and approved technical submittals.

Meanwhile, architects and engineers review RFIs, submittals, and inspections throughout the build to confirm compliance and maintain quality standards. The contractor should complete the project on time.

Step 5: The Post-Construction Phase

Following the completion of construction at the job site, the project enters the closure phase. A project closeout entails deactivating assets, returning equipment rentals, cleaning up the worksite, and allowing subcontractors to head elsewhere.

A post-project review is beneficial to detect incomplete tasks, analyze struggles and consolidate a list of pointers for future improvement. It’s helpful from a project management perspective.