Catalyst Construction Commences Work on Long-Awaited Five Points Lofts
Catalyst Construction, a leading construction management firm and builder of urban development, proudly announces the beginning of construction on the much-anticipated Five Points Lofts project. Situated on the north end of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Harambee, this development promises to be a transformative addition to the vibrant landscape of the community. The Five Points Lofts project, a collaboration between KG Development and MLK Economic Development Corp, faced significant challenges during its initial preconstruction stages. Hindered by financial constraints and preliminary estimates from other general contractors, both entities sought assistance from Catalyst Construction to propel the project forward. Drawing [...]
Why You Need an Architect: 5 Ways an Architect Brings Your Vision to Life
Don’t you love delays? Long lines at the grocery store, highways that transform into parking lots, flights that push back your scheduled departure – these are things dreams are made of. If we’re talking about nightmares, that is! It’s one thing when a delay costs you time and betrays your impatience. It’s another when unnecessary, preventable delays cost you time, money, and a world of frustration. This is particularly true in construction projects. Delays threaten every building project. Many details are out of your control, but not all of them. I’ve even seen projects get delayed because of toilet paper. [...]
6 Steps to Maximize the Impact of Your Church Construction Process
Do you know how long it takes to become an expert in a given field? Most researchers suggest you must invest no less than 10,000 hours of intentional practice to become an expert. For those leading their church through a church construction process, no one will blame you for not being an expert! But they might blame you for trying to be. You don’t have to make your own mistakes. You can benefit from what others have already learned the hard way. If you’re considering taking on a church building project, your first decisions will determine the difficulty of your [...]
The 4 Biggest Pitfalls in Church Building Projects and How to Avoid Them
Construction projects for churches are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for most people. They are defining moments in the life of any congregation. For better or worse. When a church-building project is done well, momentum can be gained, joy enhanced, and mission mobilized. And that, for years to come! Even when – not if – issues come up, because they will. That’s unavoidable. Things like inflation will change costs, weather can delay progress, and more. Many issues are unpredictable and, therefore, unavoidable. However, we have seen several recurring problems threaten to derail the impact a church construction project can have. Maximize Your Impact [...]
The Core Values of a Successful Construction Project
Do you understand why you hold the values that drive your decisions? This may seem a bit philosophical for a discussion on construction projects. But it’s imperative. Foundational! Hear us out… If you are unaware of the values that influence your decisions, you may find that you built your building on shifting sand instead of a rock-solid foundation. The principles you prioritize are what the decisions you make are built on. Defining What “Safe” is in a Successful Construction Project Construction projects are high-risk, high-reward propositions. For most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Communities – generations – will be [...]
Project Partnerships: Exploring the Responsibilities of an Owner’s Representative
Has your car’s key fob battery ever died? It happens without warning, and it’s never convenient. The good old days of placing a key in the ignition and taking off are gone. If your key fob battery dies, your entire car is rendered useless until you can replace it. When it comes to construction, having an Owner's Representative is like having a fully charged, completely reliable key fob for your car - they keep the entire operation running. You wouldn’t take a road trip if you knew your key fob was about to die. No one should undertake a significant [...]
5 Construction Communication Mistakes Your Church Cannot Afford to Make
How do people know when it’s time for students to return to school? It’s hard to miss, isn’t it? Schools send out all kinds of communication. Parents and legal guardians have their inboxes, mailboxes, and social media feeds flooded with information and invitations. Stores rearrange their displays so you’re tempted to buy #2 pencils whether you need them or not! If you live in America during the fall, it’s nearly impossible to miss the “back to school” season. This happens annually. Intentionally. For a targeted period of time. How effective would “back to school” sales be if they ran year-round? [...]
Overcoming Challenges in Committee-Driven Church Building Projects
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This ancient wisdom from Africa rings true across the centuries and across the ocean. Sometimes, efficiency isn’t what’s needed. Community is. After all, the first - and only - thing God said that was not good in His creation was man being alone. We were designed to engage in life together. That’s why the team at Catalyst Construction believes that church buildings are best constructed when churches adopt a team-based approach to their projects. However, committee-led church building projects are not without their challenges. It [...]
5 Things to Consider Before Starting a New School Construction Project
Hindsight is 20/20. Or so the saying goes. Why? Some things can only be learned through experience and by making mistakes. But what if the stakes are high? What if the future of many human beings is on the line? Embarking on a new school construction project is an exciting endeavor that promises to create a conducive learning environment for students and provide educational opportunities for generations to come. However, before breaking ground and diving into the construction process, it is crucial to take a step back and consider several key factors that can significantly impact the project's success. Proper [...]
5 Common Communication Mistakes in Construction Projects
Have you ever hit “send” on a text message without double-checking it? And has the “autocorrect” function ever failed you so miserably that what you sent completely confused the message? Communication is as basic and essential to humanity as breathing. Unlike breathing, though, sending and receiving messages can get complicated. When it does, progress of all kinds can grind to a halt, including construction projects. Effective communication is the backbone of a well-executed construction project, from coordinating tasks and ensuring safety to managing timelines and budgets. With over 17 years of experience and roughly 45 projects completed each year, we [...]