Once you’ve made the decision to build a new commercial facility, you’ll likely be eager to break ground and start construction. However, before you settle on the first plot of ground that fits your budget, it’s important to evaluate your needs and choose the right building site location for your business. Consider the qualities of each potential site before you make your final selection. Here’s a list of what to look for in a building site location.
Physical Characteristics Influence Construction Costs
The physical characteristics of each commercial building site can impact the cost of construction. For example, a sharply sloping lot will require extra expense to level and reinforce the building surface. Loose soil doesn’t provide a firm setting for a foundation, and rocky ground may require demolition before you can begin building. If you’re unsure whether any of these characteristics are a factor in your site location, commission a construction site analysis. A thorough analysis from a professional builder can help you objectively identify the positive and negative aspects of each site.
Local Laws May Impact Your Choices
Most building sites will carry some restrictions regarding what you can build on the site. These may influence the physical characteristics of your building, such as its height, or they may force certain design decisions upon you. For example, you may be required to provide a certain amount of parking or accommodate special needs for the local community. We’ve seen and heard it all. Some local ordinances don’t even surprise us anymore.
Fitting In with the Neighbors is Good for Business
If your new building site location is in an established neighborhood, make sure that your proposed building will be a good fit for the neighborhood. For example, if your business will cater to families with children, you’ll want to make sure that your commercial building location isn’t next to bars, nightclubs or industrial facilities.
Check for Connections and Access
Roads and utility connections can be expensive to install, so you may want to search for site locations that are already plumbed, wired and connected to roads. Make sure that the existing connections will be sufficient for your needs. If you anticipate high traffic, a site that’s only serviced by a one-lane road might not be a good fit for your company. If your business will need access to high-speed data lines, you’ll also want to check the quality of service at your chosen site before you commit to construction.
Other Factors
What about the not-so-obvious concerns? Determine if the site is prone to flooding. Make sure to invest in special equipment to deal with groundwater to protect your future building from water damage. Sites with high sun exposure may be more expensive to keep cool in the summer. It might be an opportunity to take advantage of abundant sunshine by installing solar panels to reduce your energy costs.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into choosing a site location for your commercial business. It might be a good idea to enlist our preconstruction services which include a comprehensive site analysis. This list is just a sample of the concerns when choosing a site location for your business. Give a call to have a more detailed conversation. With over 40 years of experience, we’ve seen some pretty strange things. It’s best to know about them before you begin construction. Or pass on the property altogether.
Thinking about the characteristics of a potential building site before you commit to the building will make your next construction project proceed more efficiently. At CBF Contracting, Inc., we understand the needs of our commercial clients and can help you evaluate the suitability of any potential building site location. Before you start building, contact us at 813-745-3000 to talk further about the surprises that might be hidden.
