Trimming Down Your Commercial Construction Budget

Catalyst Construction has completed projects for some of the Midwest’s most affluent, financially stalwart clients but we have yet to take on a project with an unlimited budget. When it comes to commercial construction projects, saving money and cutting costs is something everyone can get on board with regardless of the size of the numbers involved. Arguably the best way to ensure your budget maximizes cost efficiency and you’re getting the absolute most for every construction dollar spent is to partner with the amazing people at Catalyst and let us use our expertise, insight, and long-standing industry relationships to find and apply every possible cost-saving measure appropriate for your project.

That said, your investment in your project probably will (and definitely should) compel you toward a bit of due diligence in finding ways to trim your construction budget even before you begin working with a team of professionals. But what to look for? That is the (potentially literal) million-dollar question and when you set out to find the answer to it, you may want to reference this blog as a guide to get you on the right search path and keep you there. Here are four ways to substantially reduce your commercial construction budget.

Research Potential Materials and Products

Researching and reviewing as much as possible of the full range of materials and products that you think might be appropriate for your commercial construction project is a great place to start budget trimming. Look for those that are more economical but still have the same quality, appearance, and finish level as their pricier counterparts.

Reviewing flooring, fixtures, various available finishes, and other seemingly unsubstantial items and knowing how much you’re spending on them is crucial since the costs for these types of items tend to add up very quickly. Take, for example, something as common as exterior bricks. They can range anywhere from $15 to $60 per square foot depending on the finish and while the assumption is that the finishes with the higher price points are the “best”, with a little extra searching it isn’t hard to find ones toward the lower end of the price spectrum that have the same finish and quality.

Reduce the Amount of Glass In Your Project Design

Not surprisingly, glass isn’t cheap. Some estimates show that for an average interior office space, a glass window can be as much as three times the cost of a wall. If there are areas in your design that call for excessive or even unnecessary windows, consider replacing them with walls wherever it is feasible. Additionally, by simply raising your windows at least 16 inches off the floor, the need for tempered glass – which is significantly more expensive – is virtually eliminated. Utilizing standard sized windows across your entire building design can be another cost saving measure.

Resist the Temptation to Go With the Lowest Bidder

The kneejerk reaction to this tip is rejection. After all, it goes against conventional wisdom and apparent common sense, not to mention it seems wildly counterintuitive. The marketplace has traditionally allowed for clients to take the approach of getting at least three bids for their project and going with the lowest one, but that really doesn’t work very well anymore. The reason this “common sense” approach is no longer common is largely because the demand for qualified construction suppliers exceeds the supply. Catalyst Construction doesn’t promise to always offer the lowest bid on a potential project. We do, however, promise that we can and will use our expertise and vast network of industry partnerships to help you reduce expenses and create the most cost-effective plan for your commercial construction project while still delivering the highest quality finished product, i.e. the best value for your construction dollar. That’s just what we do, and we do it better than anyone. Period.

When you’re ready to move forward on your construction project plans and want to partner with a team of construction professionals who genuinely have your best interests at heart – not to mention your bottom line – then click here and let’s talk about the ways Catalyst can help you fine tune your construction budget and get your project on the road to completion.