Construction is an investment of your time and money. To ensure that investment delivers the maximum return, you should choose the right commercial contractor for your project type, timeline, and budget. But don’t just take our word for it. Here are seven commercial construction projects in Virginia that went well because the clients had the foresight to choose the right contractor.
What is a commercial construction project?
Before we get into those seven projects, what exactly is a commercial construction project? A commercial construction project is one that is completed for a business or a landlord who intends to rent out property to businesses or multiple families or individuals.
While residential contractors are pros at renovating single-family homes, commercial contractors understand the nuances of larger construction projects with more moving parts. Plus, these contractors are often focused on how the construction will impact the bottom line, not if a certain tile backsplash will bring together the aesthetic of your kitchen.
This specialized knowledge and mindfulness of how construction impacts your business makes commercial contractors the right choice for retail spaces, healthcare companies, office spaces, commercial rental properties, and apartment complexes, among other business types.
Important commercial construction considerations in Virginia
Construction isn’t the same from state to state, or even city to city. To ensure your project complies with local laws, work with a local contractor. First, any contractor you work with should be licensed in the state of Virginia. Virginia determines licensing regulations, which can sometimes be different than other states. Without a license, a contractor may not be able to apply for permits or legally complete larger projects.
And permits are another story. How you apply for a permit changes from city to city. Local areas determine the permit process and it differs even between Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia. Before choosing a contractor, make sure they are licensed in Virginia and can speak about the permit process in your local area.
7 stand-out commercial construction projects in Virginia
As promised, here are seven stand-out commercial construction projects in Virginia. These seven businesses are successful for many reasons, but one was taking the time to choose the right contractor for their project.
Ready for some hockey?
Warriors for Life is a nonprofit who helps rehabilitate veterans through hockey. They leased a new building to serve that mission, but the space didn’t have an ice hockey rink. Finding a contractor in Virginia Beach who is adept at building ice hockey rinks wasn’t easy. And they didn’t hire someone with previous experience with rink construction. Instead, they hired a contractor with a track record for keeping projects moving.
Unexpectedly, they also hired a dedicated and organized contractor who went above and beyond. The final ice rink served Warriors for Life’s needs and was completed on time and within the nonprofit’s budget.
More construction as business expands
Jump Trampoline Park is a destination for adventure-seekers in Virginia Beach. To offer more thrills, the company decided to install a wipe-out machine. Since their jumpers’ safety is a priority, they had to find a contractor who understood local regulations.
Fortunately, their contractor not only understood how to safely install the new machine, but how to do so while Jump Trampoline stayed open for business.
Opening up shop
Kawaii Corner had a big vision for their shop’s layout and grand opening. To accomplish both, they had to find a contractor who could deliver on the new open space concept for their storefront – and finish in time for their ideal grand opening date.
The end result? The contractor framed a new wall, created a back room, improved lighting, and created custom cabinets, with a seven to eight week turnaround time. Kawaii Corner’s grand opening saw a line of customers wrapped around the mall, and those customers were awed by the store’s space.
Repairing a rental property
Renting out industrial rental spaces can be quite lucrative, but these lots often need some repairs and renovations before they are tenant ready. One private landlord in Chesapeake, Virginia discovered this was the case for their new property and employed a contractor to complete the work in a timely manner.
The contractor was able to increase curb appeal by filling potholes, working on the sidewalk, and improving the building’s exterior. After the work was complete, the owner had an industrial rental property with maximum curb appeal and minimal chances for emergency work or costly maintenance.
Commerce park, consistent work
Operating a commerce park often means tenant turnover. And since tenants run different businesses, there’s often a need for different renovations, repairs, and remodels between leases. To ensure these projects went smoothly, Newport Crossing Commercial Complex searched for a reliable contractor.
Once found, that contractor was able to work with tenants and the landlord to determine the scope of various construction projects as well as the timelines and budgets.
One-stop shop for construction
AAMCO is a leading auto repair shop in Chesapeake, Virginia. However, they had an EIFS (Exterior Insulated Finish System) falling from the soffit and exterior walls. If left unfixed, this may have caused harm to pedestrians, cars, and vehicles.
Fortunately, they were able to find a contractor who could evaluate the damage and come up with a repair plan aligned with their budget and the exterior look of their building.
When legacy comes with wear and tear
Bay Lake Retirement has been a staple in the Virginia Beach pet community for decades. Yet with that legacy comes the normal wear and tear that builds up over time. The retirement facility had an obligation to stay open and provide an excellent living experience to its residents, but it also wanted to update the facility’s apartments and community spaces.
By partnering with an excellent, invested contractor, Bay Lakes stayed open during the construction and had a scaffolded, high quality renovation completed for all resident rooms and many key community spaces.
Setting your project up for success
The seven projects above are all success stories. And your commercial construction project can become one as well. To ensure the success of your project, take the time to choose the right commercial contractor.
Ideally, any commercial contractor you work with should:
- Be good at communicating about the project
- Have a clear timeline and process before beginning
- Have ties to your local area
- Be invested in building the future of your business and town
- Understand where your business is going
One of the best ways to determine if a contractor has these five traits is to look at previous projects they’ve worked on. Evaluate them based on if they finished on time and on budget, and if they provided an excellent customer experience and end result. If your business is located in the Hampton Roads, Tidewater area, consider Carlton Building Services. All projects listed in this blog were done by our category, and we commit to finish projects on time and on budget – all while building your business’ future. Contact us for a free estimate today.
