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Cost overruns and schedule delays on construction jobs come from unnecessarily repeated processes that occur throughout the build. At Kalleward Group, we have experience with building designs of all sizes, and our construction management process includes planning well ahead of each phase. That way, when materials don’t arrive or a section of the build is delayed, the crew can work in another area without duplicating efforts or incurring downtime. Repeated Processes Repeated processes occur because of poor planning or poor execution, but the two are typically linked. At Kalleward Group, our construction managers take the time to plan and design the project. These stages are crucial to avoid the following scenarios and their repercussions. Failing To Plan Effectively Without proper planning, floor plans and architectural features may need to be changed. This often means that work has to be redone, impacting the timeline and costs. During the preconstruction phase, a Kalleward construction manager meets with the client face to face. Our expert team documents the needs of the business to determine the best design to maximize your investment. Then, the design phase begins with our experienced architects drawing up the plans. There’s still a lot of flexibility to discuss the new space with clients to ensure the building is both functionally and aesthetically suitable. Having a detailed road map gives the general contractor the information they need to order materials and hire workers for each phase. This minimizes the number of redesigns and costly rebuilds that throw off poorly managed construction projects. Failing To Budget Properly Obtaining funding for new builds or upgrades to commercial buildings can be tricky. Lenders often tie draws to certain milestones. If you underestimate the cost of labor and materials, funds can dry up at a critical stage, putting the entire project in jeopardy. It can also create scenarios where portions of the project may need to be rebuilt due to miscalculations or poor decision-making, such as: > Using the wrong equipment > Failing to hire and train the right people > Ordering the wrong supplies Constant communication and coordination can save your project from the pitfalls above. Kalleward Group construction managers stay in touch with the client, the foreman and the workers to ensure everyone is working from the latest set of plans. This creates checks and balances so that materials and equipment orders are accurate. Avoiding Repeated Processes Nobody wants the headache of implementing brand new plans, tearing down poorly executed construction or paying for material that has been improperly ordered. By partnering with Kalleward, you can improve your chances of completing the project on time, on budget and built to client specifications. The Construction Management Process A construction manager assigns roles and responsibilities and coordinates labor and materials to keep the process moving. A great construction manager can effectively manage detailed project plans to reduce the number of delays — and aggressively remove roadblocks that jeopardize the project. The Kalleward Group has a number of reliable subcontractors to ensure there’s always someone available to complete the job. Most of our subcontractors have partnered with the Kalleward Group for many years and understand how to properly execute our architect’s designs. Having trusted partners allows us to complete projects with a laser focus on pleasing the client and delivering a space that fulfills its intended purposes. This close relationship prevents misunderstandings and mistakes that have to be redone. Contact Us At the Kalleward Group, we have several services that we can tailor to your particular commercial project’s needs, including general contraction, construction management and business development. Call the Kalleward Group at (269) 372-7300 to discuss your next build.

Every commercial construction project is unique, but they all involve a multitude of tasks during each phase of construction. Juggling these tasks and keeping all the parts moving effectively requires good planning and open communication — two keys to a smooth building process. To ensure overall success, it’s critical the entire building process is managed smoothly to avoid costly mistakes, construction delays and safety issues. Create A Flow Of Communication Communication is essential throughout every of phase of a commercial construction project, so it’s important to establish an open flow of communication with everyone involved from the beginning. Miscommunication can cause costly errors and avoidable delays. Having a point of contact between you and the construction team makes the communication process easier. Working with a general contractor or construction manager gives you the single contact point you need to make the everything run more smoothly. Communication is one of our biggest assets at the Kalleward Group. We work with you to address any concerns you might have about the building process and ensure you realize your goals. Never Stop Planning Planning starts long before construction actually begins, and it shouldn’t stop once construction starts. Like communication, planning should be an ongoing part of the building process to ensure everything runs smoothly. Extensive planning is required during the design, preconstruction and procurement stages. As each stage proceeds, revisions of previous plans might be required. Anything can happen during construction, and while you can plan for many contingencies, it’s crucial that planning be fluid for quicker adaptability to any problems that arise. Our experienced construction professionals at Kalleward understand how to prevent planning adjustments from negatively affecting the overall plan and construction timeline. Budget Smartly Setting a realistic budget is vital in the commercial construction process. Failing to plan for unexpected costs can cause a major budgeting wrinkle. Ensure a smoother building process by creating a budget that includes a cost-increase contingency, and finalize your budget so everyone involved in the build understands where to allocate available funds. We seek the best tactics to keep your project on track while staying within the established budget. We keep strict accounting on project costs and substantiate spending with checks and balances to prevent running out of funds before the construction project is complete. Schedule Successfully Creating a schedule goes hand-in-hand with planning and should include a target date for completion of the project. Sticking to this schedule keeps the building process moving smoothly. Ensure scheduling success by determining key milestones and assigning a completion date for each of these tasks. Update the overall schedule as each goal is met and make adjustments to the schedule as needed. Delays in your timeline can create a ripple effect, but we work hard to minimize setbacks and get things back on track. Hire Experienced Construction Professionals The biggest key to a smooth building process is hiring construction professionals with the skills and experience to ensure success. This includes a general contractor who handles key relationships and construction processes to keep building quality high and costs under control. We also provide design-build commercial construction services that consolidate both sides of the construction process to make the entire process even smoother. Bringing the design and build processes together ensures better communication, planning, budgeting and scheduling, which are the key ingredients for worry-free completion of all your commercial construction projects. The Kalleward Group is southwest Michigan’s premier general contracting company for all types of new commercial construction and remodels of existing structures. Our vast commercial construction experience ensures a smooth building process from concept to completion. Contact us at 269-372-7300 to schedule your project today.

Kalleward Group begins building projects meetings as the design/build contractor with the client to determine the scope of the project. When you’re the client, this helps ensure you end up with the type of structure you want. Details like the type of building you need, your desired timeline for completing the project and your budgetary plans are all vital considerations. In addition to the initial planning session, our professionals deliver ongoing support throughout the duration of your building project. Explain Your Needs To Your Design-Build Contractor The team at Kalleward Group understands that discussing your goals and needs with an experienced contractor is the best place for you to begin your building project. Discussing your project with a specialist helps you make realistic plans and goals. Plus, it ensures our team knows exactly what you want. The communication doesn’t end with the initial consultation. Active communication helps to ensure you get top-quality design features that you may not have considered at the onset of the building project. Keeping the lines of communication open during the build helps make sure the project stays on track and mistakes don’t happen due to miscommunications. The Design-Build Process The design-build process is a unique concept in construction because it gives one company control over the entire construction process. Its main advantage is that you, as the client, gain a single point of contact who listens to you throughout the process. Kalleward Group specializes in this type of building process, and our experts are with you as you move from the concept stage through the building phase. We’re also here to support you when the project is complete. We don’t just provide you with a building; we also provide you with a smooth transition through each phase of the building process. New Construction Projects A design-build contractor meets with you to determine the scope of your building project when you’re starting a new project. As experienced professionals in the construction industry, our pros know what to ask to help turn your ideas into a physical structure. Plan to discuss a lot of details in order to help the contractor understand what you want. Things like the size of the structure and its intended purpose are important early details for the contractor to consider during the planning stage and throughout the project. Planning Your Timeline For Completion Time is money in business, and we understand that meeting assigned deadlines is an important part of the construction process. Your contact person at Kalleward Group will discuss your desired timeline with you at the initial consultation. Once we’ve established a timeline, our service includes bringing in our team and subcontractors to get the work done on time. Owner’s Representation Services Kalleward Group provides owner’s representation services to keep your project on track in terms of both cost and construction time. We serve as the main point of contact with subcontractors and designers, and the expert managing your project understands your goals for the project. So, when there’s an important meeting, someone who is clear on the next phase of the project is there and you don’t have to rearrange your day to attend. Contact Kalleward Group Today As a family-owned general contracting and construction management company, Kalleward Group focuses on delivering excellent customer service along with innovative designs. Visit our offices at 3548 Gembrit Circle in Kalamazoo or call us today at (269) 372-7300 to discuss your large or small building plans with a member of our team of professional builders.

Commercial construction is hardly a new industry, but there are recent innovations changing how our grandest, most high-functioning buildings come to be. Meet design-build construction services, Kalleward Group’s streamlined approach to consolidating your dream build from start to finish. The Problem With The Traditional Approach To Construction Historically, building construction has been chopped up into segments, with each part managed by a separate entity. A project often includes an architect, a designer and a contractor, and there may be other middlemen involved as well. As a result, you’re left juggling multiple contacts, trying to facilitate scheduling and, in some circumstances, saddled with the task of figuring out who is supposed to be doing what and why things are taking so darned long. While this approach may be common, it’s frequently inefficient, draining your resources as projects drag on well past their deadline and well over budget. The solution may lie in design-build. What Is Design-Build? The traditional multi-contractor approach to construction is design-bid-build, but design-build centralizes the entire project to-do list under one entity. That means one person (or company, more likely) is responsible for your build in its entirety. Whether you have a question about design, a concern about permits or want more details about the steps of construction, there’s only one phone number to call. The Advantages Of Design-Build Imagine you want to make a change to your building blueprint once the project is already underway. With traditional construction, you have to call the architect and ask for another take on the design, see if the construction team can get the materials, go back to the architect with proposed changes, ask the project manager if you need new permits — the entire exchange can be quite frustrating. Remember that sole point of contact mentioned earlier? With design-build, that person is the top of the totem pole. It’s their job to manage every aspect of the project, including communicating changes to subcontractors and suppliers. They’ll coordinate adjustments and navigate issues as they arise. It saves you potentially dozens of calls and emails, not to mention your sanity. Because design-build eliminates that entirely unnecessary game of telephone tag, it often leads to a shorter completion time and far fewer logistical headaches. In short, design-build is a win-win for all involved. Kalleward’s Design-Build Construction Services First, know that design-build construction works for small projects as well as huge ones. You don’t have to be a Fortune 500 company establishing a new brick-and-mortar headquarters to reap the benefits of design-build, but you certainly could (and probably should). Every project starts with preconstruction strategy sessions. We’ll sit with you, determine your needs, frame out the project and figure out how to meet your goals while also getting the most out of your budget. Next comes design. This is when our architects get to work their magic, coming up with a plan that combines your ideas, the reality of the space and all intended functionality. Finally, construction begins. Subcontractors ranging from plumbers to electricians to stoneworkers to glaziers all do their part to bring the design to life. This is when your 2-D blueprint turns into a 3-D work of art. The very last step is probably your favorite part, because it’s when the owner gets to pore over their building and soak in every detail. Construction is done, but the job isn’t over until you’re satisfied and the contractual elements are present and as close to perfect as possible. After all, this is your business, and you deserve to have your expectations not just met but, ideally, exceeded. How To Experience The Benefits Of Design-Build If you’re frustrated with traditional construction, it’s time to embrace a new, easier, more fulfilling approach to project design and execution. The Kalleward Group would love to be your guide. To kick off your next project, contact us and make your first appointment.

You might think your construction project is over once the ribbon is cut and the building is complete, but did you know there’s another phase called post-construction? Find out everything you need to know about the post-construction building phase for your commercial project. What Is The Post-Construction Phase? This phase of the commercial construction process is there as a security blanket of sorts, in case something happens after your building is complete, such as your needs change or you realize you may quickly need an expansion. Post-construction can also consist of contract administration processes and the completion of any remaining work, including paperwork and financial statements. The Post-Construction Phase Protects Your Business If any situations come up after the building is complete, the post-construction phase is there to protect your investment. Good commercial construction managers like Kalleward Group know that the work isn’t complete once the ribbon is cut and your doors open. Post-Construction Begins Near The End Of The Building Phase At Kalleward Group, we’ll work with you closely to prepare you for the end of your commercial building construction phase. We’ll provide you with the proper tools and information you need to help you manage your facility going forward. Although it varies by project, post-construction typically begins before the building is done. Many times, our clients are prepped for the post-construction phase before construction even starts. Proper preparation is key to any project’s success, and at Kalleward Group, we make an effort to help you understand what to expect through this phase early on in the process. Post-Construction Checklist We’ll provide you with a post-construction checklist for you to evaluate after work is finished. Usually, you’re able to make changes as needed as construction progresses, and you can feel confident about knowing the ins and outs of your commercial building once construction is complete. At Kalleward Group, we provide the best design and build solution for your project, and that includes post-construction. Documents And Paperwork Another big part of the post-construction phase is documents and paperwork. We’ll provide documents that state construction has reached its completion. At the Kalleward Group, we make an effort to make sure none of our commercial clients are left in the dark about any phase of the project, including post-construction. One of our architects typically issues a certificate of substantial completion once the building has been inspected and deemed finished. Follow-Ups At Kalleward Group, we strive to make sure our clients understand every aspect of how their new commercial building works so you can safely use your new building and all of its many features. We’ll also check in with you from time to time to make sure everything is holding up as it should and examine any issues that may need to be addressed. Future Expansion Post-construction may also examine whether your building may need to be expanded in the future. If it does, the expert builders and architects at Kalleward Group can work with you every step of the way to ensure your needs are met. Have A Commercial Construction Project In Michigan? Call The Kalleward Group Whether you’re a land developer or business owner, if you need new commercial construction or renovation, contact the Kalleward Group in Kalamazoo, MI, for assistance with your commercial build and design needs. Call 269-372-7300 for more information.

The preconstruction phase of your building project is the planning and design phase. Your general contractor or construction manager provides a variety of preconstruction services related to the design, cost, and scheduling as well as administrative tasks to ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish. When you bring your project to Kalleward Group in Kalamazoo, MI, the first thing we do is listen. Our expert team works with you during preconstruction to determine how each of your construction needs can be fulfilled while maximizing your return on investment. Communication Is Key To ensure everything is effectively and efficiently covered during preconstruction and throughout the construction process, communication is essential. Preconstruction lays the foundation for your entire project, so establishing an open flow of communication with everyone involved helps ensure that avoidable delays and costly errors don’t occur due to miscommunication. We establish a point of contact between you and your construction team to provide a smoother communication process. This contact person is generally your general contractor or construction manager, who prepares a communication plan to ensure all the key players have an effective way to interact with each other. Project Scope And Objectives The first step in the preconstruction phase is designing the scope of the project. Shaping the project’s scope from the outset helps ensure budgetary needs are being met. We need to establish what you’re trying to accomplish, when, and for how much. We cover every angle right down to the level of finishes required to meet all your objectives. Set A Budget Setting up a realistic budget with a little buffer to handle unexpected expenses is vital in commercial construction and one of the first things you’ll do. Creating an accurate budget requires some research on materials and labor costs, and should include a cost-increase contingency. Once you finalize your budget, make sure your entire team knows how to allocate the funds they need. We keep strict accounting and substantiate every expenditure through checks and balances to keep your project on track. Set A Schedule As part of the planning process, we also create a schedule that includes a target date for completion of the various stages and the entire project. It’s important to stick to this schedule to keep your project moving along smoothly. Your schedule will also include a variety of milestones so you can easily determine whether tasks are being completed on time. Should something delay your commercial build, don’t forget to adjust your schedule to get back on track. Project Details Once you’ve established a clear scope, budget, and schedule, you and your team proceed with the design plans. Items included are size, layout, building materials, systems, and other essential project details. Finalize your design after you’re sure everything has been discussed and approved. Create a plan to execute each phase of construction, including a precise timeline for completion of each stage. Order Project Materials Planning for long-lead-time materials is an important strategy to ensure your project stays on track. During preconstruction, we help you identify any necessary equipment or materials that require early ordering. We also discuss how and where these items will be obtained. It’s critical to monitor the progress of these deliveries to catch any delays quickly. Items that may require long lead times include anything built to spec, unique materials, and specialty items that require extra time to produce. During the ordering phase, we shop around to get the best prices and lock in prices when possible. Permits And Inspections Preconstruction is also the time to determine which building permits are required, how long it takes to get them, and how much they cost. We set up a schedule for required inspections at various intervals during construction. We’ll also create our inspection schedule, during which we’ll thoroughly evaluate the construction site or any other special attributes that need to be resolved. Build With Kalleward Effective planning during the preconstruction process is essential to progress smoothly through your project. We help you get your project off to a great start with professional preconstruction services that cover every aspect of your build. Kalleward Group is southwest Michigan’s premier contracting company for all types of new construction. Contact us to learn more about our construction process and how we can help you with a successful project. Call us at 269-372-7300 to schedule your project today.