Selecting Houston builders or Houston remodelers for their professional advice and construction guidance can be a challenge matching them up with the right project.
Whether you are building a new property or remodeling an old one, the actual construction project can feel like a complicated maze.
This is because the construction of any type of building involves many players who need to work in coordination to deliver the project within the thresholds of cost, time, and quality specifications.
Since the scope of such construction is usually large with the potential for substantial cost outgo, it is advisable to either use the services of builders or Houston remodelers based on the type of construction.
You may also read our resource new custom home construction when you are in need for Houston builders.
Let us understand how contractors can differ based on the type of work they do – new or remodel for either residential construction or commercial construction.
Houston remodelers and builders providing construction contracting for residential and commercial construction
Houston Builders for Residential Construction
For any residential construction project, the role of Houston builders is similar to that of general contractors, for they are engaged in supervisory work such as planning, organizing labor, choosing subcontractors, procuring materials from vendors, managing finances and documenting them, planning and implementing safety aspects, and arranging the inspection of the property to ensure its adherence to quality standards, etc.
They are the key companies on the project job site overseeing the entire construction activity, right from the planning stage to completion.
Builders offer services for residential contracting
In the traditional construction model, Houston builders get into the act after the design is ready.
However, in the design-build construction model, they are part of the designing and planning process, along with the involvement of architects, structural engineers, and designers.
They can give their input to the design team based on their expertise and experience to alter certain aspects of design.
These inputs may be based on their understanding of the topography of the site, structural and compliance requirements, and others. The other services are as follows:
Project & construction management: When the construction documents for the building to be constructed are ready, the builder gets down to business.
He gets in touch with trusted subcontractors to arrange the supply of labor, equipment, and materials to the project site.
The builders or Houston remodelers spend a great deal of time communicating with subcontractors and vendors about their work scope and the expectations of their performance for each project.
Thereafter, he supervises their activities on a day-to-day basis, either by himself or through a project manager appointed for the job.
From an administrative side they manage the flow of finances, prepare contracts and procure materials and equipment.
In addition, builders and Houston remodelers provide construction management services such as quality control, compliance inspections, scheduling and safety compliance.
You may read our blog detailing the functions of contractors offering residential contracting services.
Scheduling and quality management: The builders overseeing any residential contracting or commercial contracting project will properly schedule the activities to be performed by each stakeholder based on priority.
This will ensure the project to remain on course of the scheduled critical paths.
When it comes to ensuring the quality of construction, the Houston builders should look into the quality of materials and whether every piece of work is executed as per the best practices, detailed specifications and code compliance.
These are the construction management functions that will ensure the projects are completed to the needs and specifications of the owners.
Safety management: It is the responsibility of the builders and Houston remodelers to set up proper safety practices to prevent accidents during construction.
General contractors are expected to comply with OSHA requirements governing regulations for commercial construction and residential construction.
This includes approving means and methods for conducting construction in a safe and work like manner, maintaining incident reports of near misses and accidents and conducting safety awareness at all times.
Types of Houston Builders
There are three types of home builders – production home builders, semi-custom home builders, and high-end builders. Let us understand them in a summary:
Production home builders: These types of builders get their names from the style of mass-producing housing.
They build volumes of house for residential construction sector. Here, the set of building plans offered by the Houston builders has minimal customization options for buyers.
High-end home builders: These professionals build luxury homes based on the requirements of the users, and can be hired at a high price.
These Houston builders are typically hired by top executives or people with high net worth, such as celebrities, bureaucrats, or politicians.
Semi-Custom home builders: These types of home builders have the expertise and experience to construct houses from standard plans but are willing to make changes according to the specific requirements of the project owners.
These homes are likely to look different from each other, have high aesthetic value, and can be highly energy efficient.
Cost versus value
Home builders are worth the cost as they provide value, both tangible and intangible, to the project owners that can last a lifetime.
The quality of construction assured by such builders can save the project owner substantial sums of money in rework later.
A seasoned home builder will help them stay clear of unwanted costly mistakes. You may view our video to learn more about the home building techniques.
Houston Remodelers for Residential Construction
Houston remodelers specializing in home remodeling and are hired when new construction is not feasible due to a plethora of reasons such as the high cost involved, etc.
Residential Houston remodelers have the experience of working at the existing property occupied by the owner.
It requires deft handling of sequencing construction activity around the owner’s lifestyle, demolition before remodeling and getting access to the property. For a complete guide to home remodeling visit here;
Residential remodelers offer services for residential construction
Residential remodelers offering remodel services, especially using the design-build model, have the following functions:
Initial consultation: Here, the homeowners discuss their requirements, features to be installed or removed, and the renovation work to be carried out.
The Houston remodeler understands the same and discusses the feasibility of the project in light of the owner’s lifestyle and preferences.
Thereafter, he prepares the preliminary budget and advises the family of the homeowner to follow an adjusted routine life during remodeling.
Conducting a financial feasibility study of the property and reviewing the deed restrictions for compliance are some of the major works to be done by the remodeling contractor.
Here, remodeling of the home may include the kitchen area, bathroom, living room, plumbing, roofing, flooring, walls, windows and doors, painting, landscaping, and others.
Major residential remodeling projects can be whole home remodeling, home additions and second floor additions.
Houston remodelers are capable of handling everything from concept to completion.
Design-build planning: The residential Houston remodeler arranges for a professional design-build team comprising designers, architects, and structure engineers (if needed).
The team discusses the design needs with the project owner, the things the owner likes or wants to change in the existing property, etc.
The home remodeling team develops a project scope based on the owner’s input and a final design plan for the project to commence on the ground.
The detailed drawings should reflect the owner’s preferences for specifications.
It is important to ensure the existing conditions are not disturbed while assistance is provided to fit the new features or products properly in the newly created space.
Once the design plan, budget, timeline, and the procurement of materials are accepted by the homeowner, the remodeler gets down to implementing the same on the ground. For additional information on design build construction visit here;
Cost versus value
The cost involved to remodel a property can be substantially less than constructing a new property.
By remodeling your existing property according to your style and preferences, you can transform your home into a new one.
The value you accrue both in the short and long terms by hiring an experienced home remodeler is huge.
Houston Builders for Commercial Construction
The commercial construction industry differs from the world of constructing residential buildings.
This is because of considerations such as technologies and concepts to implement and profitability goals to meet.
Commercial Builders for commercial construction
Since commercial contracting is usually larger in scope and size compared to residential contracting, the equipment to be used is likely to vary.
For instance, large cranes, high-powered machinery, and other specialized pieces. Even the skills of labor employed to undertake construction are different.
Simply put, commercial general contractors or builders employ a specialized workforce. To learn more about commercial builders visit our blog;
Commercial builders offered services
The services offered by commercial builders are more or less in consonance with the ones offered by residential contractors.
These include project planning, preparing the initial and final design, finalizing the budget, obtaining permits, choosing subcontractors and placing orders for materials and equipment, arranging for a specialized workforce, setting up safety measures, delegating work, and supervising the project to ensure the work goes as per schedule, design, and quality specifications.
The commercial builders contact building inspectors to verify the construction is undertaken is in compliance per building codes and regulatory standards.
Types of Commercial Builders for Commercial Construction
Based on the type of work taken by commercial builders, they can be categorized into 3 types:
General contractors: Manage and coordinate all aspects of a commercial contracting project, including space planning, designing, and even facility maintenance later.
Specialty builders: Similar to general contractors in their responsibilities, but differ in that they have expertise in a particular industry only.
For instance, they may specialize in restaurants, industrial manufacturing structures, institutional facilities, and others.
Design-build builders: These builders act both as designers and contractors and manage all aspects of a commercial project, namely, planning, designing, and building.
For a further discussion on the different types of commercial contractors read our article;
Cost versus value
Since commercial contracting is vast in scope and investment, it requires the participation of professionals called commercial builders.
They are value additions to the construction process notwithstanding the expenses involved in hiring them.
They are professionally skilled to serve both construction management duties as well as project administrative activities to successfully execute a project.
Commercial Remodelers for Commercial Construction
Any commercial remodeling project needs the involvement of professional commercial remodelers with specialized skills.
Since commercial contracting covers many functional areas often with a large scope of work, commercial remodelers specialized in specific skills are employed.
So, a project may have many different subcontractors for landscaping, installing electronic systems, plumbing, flooring, interiors, roofing, and others.
Hiring them is essential to derive value for money as each of them brings different skill sets to the table, which when put to use can deliver the best results as per the design of the structure. For additional information on commercial remodelers visit here;
Conclusion
Builders and Houston remodelers play a pivotal role in any commercial and residential construction project.
From the facilitation of creating the construction documents to the orchestration of the final touches of completing the project, the skills and leadership that professional general contractors will bring to complicated construction projects is unparalleled.
Take the time to learn more about developing a relationship with the right construction building expert by visiting here.
