In January of this year on our commercial construction management blog, we wrote about how Miller makes manufacturing buildings shine. Indeed, we’re proud of what we’ve been able to do for the industrial building construction field as a whole, and our prosperity demonstrates that our customers are more than happy with it, too.
However, designing manufacturing buildings isn’t just knowing what to do; It’s also knowing what not to do. When hiring a commercial contractor and architectural design team, make sure that they stay away from these common pitfalls.
The “Big Box” Phenomena
We all know those eyesores of manufacturing buildings that blot the side of the highways. They’re looming, joyless, and almost block out the sun when you drive past! While it’s one thing for your manufacturing building to be on the bigger, boxier side of things, it’s another for it to resemble a giant concrete box. It’s no way to foster a positive public opinion regarding what your company does, nor to appeal to potential business partners.
There is room for creativity for your industrial building construction, and while your finished result will, of course, be industrial-looking, it should still make space for pleasantries and be generally pleasing to look at.
Poor Communication
Manufacturing construction is a whole different ball game than, say retail construction. It might be relatively easy for the latter’s team to adjust to a change in building, but when it comes to industrial building construction, the massive amounts of machinery and corresponding complex electrical systems mean it’s not so simple.
Your commercial contractor shouldn’t just take on the project and go radio-silent for months on end. They must keep in close contact with you, asking plenty of questions to make sure your needs are met.
Rigid Adherence to the Status Quo
Industrial building construction requires a lot of give and take between owner and commercial contractor, as well as a lot of theorizing to get things like complicated plumbing systems right. What’s historically been the norm for one client may not work for another, so make sure your commercial contractor is always working outside the box, not striving to stay within it.
Here to Help You Make Your Manufacturing Mark
With completely custom builds that are borne from client dialogue, a skilled architectural design team, and dedicated commercial construction management work, we’ve made waves in our fields—so let us help you do so in yours. Give our Saint Cloud office a call today at 320-251-4109.