If you’re looking to build a commercial building, a residential construction contractor should be good enough… right? Unfortunately, no. Not all construction contractors are equal, and there are significant differences between residential and commercial construction. That residential contractor might be excellent at building homes, but that doesn’t mean they can put up an office building. You need genuine commercial construction consulting experts if you want to see a commercial project succeed.
These are just a few of the ways that residential and commercial construction projects can be very different.
The Differences Between Commercial and Residential Construction
- Wider use cases
A house is a house. Unless the owner wants something very specific and custom, houses all contain the same basic rooms with the same basic function. Often, they’re using premade interchangeable “McMansion” blueprints. However, commercial projects can vary wildly in terms of their intended use. A good commercial construction contracting firm works with their commercial customers to understand how the building will be used, to optimize the internal layout, and improve workflow.
- More stringent building codes and standards
Commercial properties are held to a higher standard than residential buildings in most areas – often much higher. Residential construction contractors aren’t going to know how to construct laboratories that can adhere to FDA standards or chemical storage facilities with proper EPA approvals. Even in relatively standard office buildings, matters such as the electrical wiring are held to strict standards.
You want a commercial construction contractor who knows how to stay within Federal and local regulations.
- Larger equipment needs
A standard house is only one or two stories high and doesn’t require much in the way of truly heavy machinery. Commercial projects can be absolutely massive, requiring heavy equipment that a residential contractor won’t have access to. You need the right tool for the right job, and residential contractors don’t have those tools.
- Utilizing a wider range of materials
Finally, there are the building materials themselves. Because commercial properties can have so many different purposes and uses, they may call for exotic materials which aren’t commonly seen in homes. Or, as the size of the project grows, extra-strong building materials will be needed just to support the weight. Residential contractors won’t have access to those materials.
Genesis Construction is a trusted Chicagoland commercial construction consulting firm with extensive experience. Contact us to discuss your next project or learn more about our work history.
