By Max Shafer
Commercial construction projects can be complex, highly involved undertakings that require many different moving parts to be carried out effectively in order for the entire thing to come together as it should. There are so many different materials, strategies, and techniques used during the construction of a commercial building, that it can end up taking quite a while just to finish one building.
You, of course, don’t always have an unlimited timeframe to complete your construction project. Whether you want to speed up your own process so you can move on to the next project quicker, or your client is requesting an expedited completion for reasons of their own, sometimes you need to get the job done faster.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to do this. So, in case you’re looking for tips on how to speed up construction time for commercial buildings and projects, here are a few materials and techniques you might want to consider.
The Tilt-Up Method
With most commercial construction projects, the walls and framework are sourced from far-away locations. They take days or weeks to arrive on-site and require additional assembly procedures to complete. This is one of the most time-consuming aspects of commercial construction and should be the first place you start if you’re looking to speed up your own timeline.
By using tilt up construction to build the walls of a structure, you can slash the amount of time it takes to complete the project. Generally, the tilt-up method involves sourcing the materials for walls locally, so there’s no waiting around for them to be delivered.
Once the materials are on-site, the walls are poured and fully completed before they’re even set in place. Then, they’re lifted and guided into place within the framework of the building by a crane. With this method, there is no finishing required once the walls are in place. It saves time as well as money.
Insulated Concrete Forms
Another way to save time during commercial construction is to build the foundation and walls using ICF construction. ICFs are hollow concrete blocks that are surrounded by an insulating fluid and interlocked with rebar.
This creates a comprehensive wall system that extends upwards from the foundation itself. Not only is this the most durable method of building the foundation and walls of a building, but it’s also much faster than the traditional method of using a wooden framework.
The blocks themselves are also rather lightweight, meaning your crew will be able to complete more work in a shorter period of time. Combined with the tilt-up method, you can cut down on your overall project completion time by a drastic amount.
Professional Delivery
Sometimes you can’t help but source your materials from far away locations. But you can speed up the last leg of the process by using a last-mile delivery service. Without using a last mile delivery service, you can expect your order to be separated into many smaller loads, all going to different locations.
Not only does this drive up the cost of shipping, it takes much longer to get all your materials to the job site. Add to this the traffic faced in urban areas, temperature requirements for materials, and a lack of real-time tracking on deliveries, and you’re looking at quite the delay.
Last mile delivery services can eliminate all of these problems by gathering your entire order and shipping it directly to the end location. They have specialized trucks that can handle huge loads of product and keep it within required temperature ranges if necessary.
They also offer convenient apps that allow you to monitor your delivery in real-time and make sure there are no shortages or issues. The last leg of material delivery is the one that takes the longest, so by taking measures to mitigate potential delays here, you’re guaranteed to speed up your project completion time.
Easy-to-Install Siding
Some types of siding are harder to install than others. Fiber cement siding, for instance, takes more effort and time to install than a simpler choice like steel lap siding. Steel lap siding can be easily affixed to the walls of your building and doesn’t require much additional maintenance once it’s been installed. If you’re looking for one of the quick installation times when it comes to siding, steel lap siding is definitely a smart choice.
Speed Things Up with These Innovative Materials
There are so many things that can delay a commercial construction project that timeline extensions and delays can almost seem inevitable. That’s why you need to give yourself every advantage you can to shrink your project completion time.
By implementing last mile delivery services, easy-to-install siding, ICF blocks, and the tilt-up construction method, you’re sure to complete your next commercial construction project well within the given timeframe.
about the author
Max Shafer is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Max is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.