How to Build a Commercial Building

Developing and building on commercial property is very different from building a house on a residential plot. It can take months and even years to build a commercial building, and the time duration depends entirely on the building – a small shopping center may take a couple of months to complete, while a large-scale shopping mall may take years. Whatever the plan, there are some basic guidelines that need to be followed if you want to build a commercial building.

• Firstly, you need to secure the land. Invest wisely, and buy in an area that is already considered desirable, or is an up-and-coming location that shows plenty of potential. Make sure the plot you buy is zoned commercial by the zoning and planning division of your city – if it is not, only residential buildings can be built there.
• Once you have the land, it is time to have a survey conducted on the land. The survey will help you determine whether there are any obstacles that need fixing, and that might hinder development on the plot. For example, if there are rocks underground that might prohibit construction, you will need to get these removed.
• Now that the land is ready for development, you may proceed to hire an architect, who can design your building, and show you different ways in which the structure you want to erect can be built. Work closely with the architect to make sure your vision is realized, and the building is up to your expectations in every way. It is best to have the same architect design all the components of the building, in order to maintain an element of harmony and uniformity. E.g. if you are building an apartment complex, have the same architect design the apartments, the play area, the laundry facilities, etc.
• Once you have the design, hire a professional commercial contractor – choose the most reputable one you can find, and make sure s/he is licensed, bonded, and insured. Make sure you have the contractor sign a contract, and let him/her know that if the work is not done on time or as per expectations, s/he will be penalized. Once the contract has been signed, ask the contractor to provide you with a project plan – this will let you know when the work will be completed and ready for inspection.
• Make sure you obtain weekly reports from your architect and your contractor, but if the duration of the project is a year or longer, you might want to ask for reports after every two weeks or so. It is also essential to obtain the copies of all the land and building inspections that are conducted by outside agencies. Building monitors regularly inspect buildings for compliance to construction rules, and if your building does not meet these requirements, it may not be approved, so make sure you read through these reports carefully.
• It is essential to keep monitoring the progress of the work yourself. Visit the site on a regular basis, turning up unannounced so you can see how the work is truly getting on. Any poor behaviour on the site, like alcohol consumption, or tardiness, is likely to reflect on the quality of the finished commercial building, so make sure you keep your workers in check.