Commercial construction is a broad category that can describe a wide variety of business facilities. These include offices, retail stores, shopping centers, hotels, and other facilities built for commercial use.
Compared to residential construction, commercial projects are exponentially more complex. Commercial developers and designers must consider a vast array of needs – including function, safety, environment, energy efficiency, and accessibility, to name a few.
Typically, the price tags on these projects often require contractors and subcontractors to meet stricter standards for prequalification than residential contractors, like the bonding capacity to support the contract amounts.
The gap between residential and commercial construction is widened by the sharp increase in financial risk, especially in the predevelopment phase. Project owners will almost certainly need approval from a governing body or council in order to proceed – without approval, they are unlikely to qualify for the financing they need to fund the project.
Commercial construction projects must comply with specific building codes and standards that address public safety (like fire resistant materials, fire protection systems, emergency exits) and energy efficiency.