When renovating or expanding a commercial property rather than building from the ground up, there are additional factors to consider. In addition to integrating current structural elements, services, technology, and more, you will need to figure out how to keep your staff productive and business operations running even when usual workflows and routines are disrupted.

Depending on the sort of institution, additional safety and security precautions may be required. Normal business activities can be difficult to maintain during construction, but proper planning and communication with your construction management can help minimize disruptions.

Attend pre-construction meetings

Your construction manager’s responsibilities extend beyond directing the construction team to managing the demands and expectations of the project owner. Thorugh pre-construction discussions with the contractors, architect, and other stakeholders can aid in the establishment of boundaries and timeframes before construction personnel arrive on the job site. Advance communication about logistics and potential interruption time can assist both business owners and project managers to prepare their firm and avoid surprises.

Plan for the construction to happen in phases

Commercial contractors often have the latitude to work in numerous areas of the facility until move-in day for building projects that begin from the ground up. However, when it comes to renovations or building additions, they are used to working in sections or stages to support a company’s continuous activities.

Confirm where and for how long work will be contained during various phases of construction as part of the pre-construction planning process. Begin by prioritizing building stages that have the greatest impact on your most vital work areas first, such as demolition work in order to minimize their impact.

Zone off areas

To limit noise and protect air quality, certain portions of your organization will most likely need to be shut off while construction advances. Some industries,  in particular, necessitate additional precautions such as dust suppression, appropriate ventilation, and the use of negative pressure zones. Some facilities also need personnel to have security clearances.

Construction zones do not simply relate to the interior of a building. Work with your construction manager to determine where contractors will gain access to the facility, as well as the location of waste bins,  equipment, deliveries, storage, and staging. Keeping control and projecting a professional image both inside and out are critical components of a successful construction project.

Organize temporary workspaces

Some workers may need to be temporarily relocated to another part of the building depending on the sort of construction and its duration. It is vital to coordinate these actions with all people who will be affected, and incorporating your technology team in the planning process can help ensure a smooth transition. You may also need to consider additional employee entrances, parking places, and navigational signage to help workers and others find their way around.

Sort out a clear schedule

Contractors normally operate on a set schedule, but you may be able to work with them in the nights, early mornings, or at other times outside of your standard office hours. These arrangements may only apply to a specific phase of work that affects crucial locations. Contractors will most certainly charge more to work outside of normal business hours, so assess the extra cost against the consequences of probable lost productivity or income due to disruptions or temporary closures. Of course, some businesses operate around the clock, which means contractors will invariably be present when employees are working.

Insist on transparency and open communication throughout the project

Communication is one of the most crucial factors in achieving good project outcomes. And the stakes could not be higher when it comes to workplace communication. On construction sites, a lack of communication provides several opportunities for errors, including safety difficulties, productivity losses, and financial ramifications, to name a few.

Strong worksite communication can provide you with the tools you need to manage any issues that may occur during the course of a construction project. Improving jobsite communication is one of the most surefire methods to put your construction project up for success, regardless of the obstacles you may face along the process, not just to avoid potential mistakes but also to provide an environment where the people and the project can thrive.

Creating a communication chain of command is the first step in improving construction job site communication. This is normally done in the contract terms for a project, and it necessitates communication between the owners, general contractor, and architect, usually with the architect acting as a middleman. Then, when it comes to delivering project information to their teams, different project leaders should have varied duties and responsibilities. For example, the architect is in charge of interacting with consultants, whereas the general contractor is in charge of speaking with suppliers and subcontractors. Establishing defined points of contact for each workflow and sticking to them throughout the project is the best method to ensure that all information is transmitted to the required team members and that business operations can continue as normally as possible. 

Maintain strict health and safety guidelines

Construction requires a high level of safety. Even with all of the attention paid to finances, timetables, and processes, safety always comes first. After all, safety can impact all of these components of a construction project, as well as others. One thing to keep in mind is that this requires prioritizing safety over efficiency, which can be difficult to do. Instead of prioritizing deadlines and budgets, businesses should always push employees to prioritize safety. This idea should be extended to a company’s partners, who should be verified and trained to improve construction safety.

It is more than possible to continue running a business while construction work is going on at the same time. It does require a little more in terms of organization and a lot of clear communication between everyone, but it can be done. 

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