The Difference Between Residential and Commercial Construction

When it comes to the building process, without a doubt there is going to be some construction involved. You simply can’t have one without the other. For this reason, it is no surprise that the construction and building industries are among the most thriving this day and age. This booming industry has grown exponentially over the past 20 decades, and now serves more than one type of client or consumer, from real estate developers and private property owners, to industrial, municipal, and more. As a proprietor looking to plan, build, or remodel, it is important to know which kind of construction work you need. Although there are several facets of construction work, the main ones are residential and commercial construction.

Continue reading to learn the top differences between them, and how to find a trusted construction company in Central Indiana.

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Commercial Construction Work

Commercial construction work refers to a wide scope of mechanical and structural services, including space planning and permitting, preconstruction, designing, building, facility maintenance, and more. Some examples of commercial construction clients include factory and warehouse owners, retail stores, medical facilities, hotels, restaurants, fitness centers, and office building proprietors.

Residential Construction

Residential construction work refers to a broad range of building, maintenance, and design services for homes and residences. Private homeowners or landlords would contact a residential general contractor for any construction, building, or remodeling needs. Residential construction work can also fall under commercial construction when residential real estate developers are building neighborhoods, subdivisions, or multi-housing communities like apartment and condominium complexes.

So What Makes Them Different?

The top factors that separates residential construction work from commercial construction work include the use of property, building codes and permits, necessary equipment, and the pace of labor.

Property Usage – Commercial construction is work reserved for properties that conduct a business or provide a service. Basically, if the property is intended for making a profit, it is a commercial site that would require commercial construction work.

Building Codes – In the construction industry, there are strict and specific building codes and regulations, including permits, that must be precisely fulfilled and compliant at all times. Although similar in a general sense, these regulations are much different from a residential and commercial aspect.

Equipment – Specialized equipment is required to perform commercial construction work, as it is generally a much larger-scale operation compared to residential. Metal fabrication equipment, cranes, dozers, lifts, scaffolding, and utility mapping technology are just a few examples.

Pace of Labor – Commercial construction work generally operates at a faster pace than residential construction because such companies work within set timelines and agendas. This is done in order to meet a proprietor’s business objectives, namely generating revenue as soon as possible.

Licensed Commercial General Contractors in Central Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractor teams deliver a streamlined process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services
Contact Us Today 317-253-0531

The Fine Details That Should Be in Your Commercial Construction Contract

Choosing a reputable and skilled general contractor to fulfill your commercial construction needs is not as easy as it seems. There are several different types of contractors out there, some of which specialize in niche industries, such as residential work or masonry, while others are unethical, fly-by-the-night scammers who will take your retainment money and run. Not only is important to choose the right type of commercial general contractor or contracting team for the job, it is important that you get the proper inclusions in your final, formal contract. In addition to protecting you from unanticipated liabilities and unfair inconveniences, such contractual inclusions maintain a streamlined course of action and communication that ultimately enhances the overall efficiency of a commercial construction project.

Continue reading to learn which fine details should always be included in your commercial construction formal contract.

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Indianapolis Commercial General Contractors 317-253-0531

The Fine Details of a Formal Construction Contract

Right from the beginning, it is important to discuss everything from itemized estimates and bids, to space planning and permitting, subcontracting, agendas, unanticipated delays or change of plans, and similar factors. Following such discussions, certain fine detail should be included in your final, formal contract. Here are some fine details that are often overlooked by clients when curating a contract with a commercial construction contractor:

✏ Detailed Estimations

Always be sure that within your formal commercial construction contract, you have all itemized estimates for all included costs for the project. This includes total costs for labor, materials, subcontracting, permits, and more.

✏ Permit Procurement

Appointing a party to be responsible for all permitting is something that should always be in writing in a commercial construction contract. Confirm who is in charge of pulling all space planning and construction permits in order to adhere to all local and building code regulations.

✏ Subcontracted Work

When it comes to commercial construction projects, it is very common to subcontract out specialized work. When curating your formal contract with your commercial general contractor, be sure the details regarding who will be subcontracted and for what service are included.

✏ Missed Deadlines

Although certain delays are inevitable when it comes to construction work, there is a limit to how much a project can be set back. For this reason, it helps to negotiate late penalties when an ultimate deadline or completion date isn’t met.

✏ Unanticipated Plan Changes

Construction projects in the commercial industry often times have an unanticipated change of plans. Discuss what will happen if plan changes take place, and add this agreement into your contract. This is better than having a verbal agreement.

Leading Commercial Construction General Contractors in Central Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial general contracting in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial construction teams deliver a streamlined process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services
Contact Us Today 317-253-0531