5 Popular Trends in the Construction Industry Today

construction

Commercial construction is constantly evolving to meet the needs of businesses and consumers. And, with such a constant need to evolve comes trends that spawn. While some of these trends are short-lived, there are many more that stay for good. Knowing what these trends are is vital to ensure that new buildings of today are relevant and will remain so into the future, ensuring the experience of using such buildings remains on a positive note.

That said, if you’re curious to know what the construction trends are today, here is a list of some of the most popular ones:

1. Prefabrication and Modular Construction

In an effort to save time and money, more and more commercial construction projects are utilizing prefabrication and modular construction methods. This involves constructing components of the project off-site in a factory setting and then transporting them to the job site for assembly. This allows for a more efficient construction process and can often lead to a higher-quality end product.

2. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is a technology that is being used more and more in the commercial construction industry. BIM allows for a three-dimensional (3D) model of the project to be created. This model can be used to help with the design, construction, and even the management of the project.

3. Sustainability

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor in commercial construction. More and more businesses are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact, and construction projects are no exception. There are a number of ways to make a commercial construction project more sustainable, such as using recycled materials, incorporating green design principles, and using energy-efficient systems and components.

4. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

IPD is a project delivery method that is becoming more popular in the commercial construction industry. IPD is a collaborative approach that brings all of the project stakeholders together from the beginning of the project to the end. This allows for a more seamless construction process and can often lead to a better overall project.

5. Technology

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the commercial construction industry. Construction companies are using technology to improve the way they manage projects, communicate with clients, and even build structures. Some of the latest technology trends in commercial construction include the use of drones, 3D printing, and virtual reality.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many construction trends that are popular today and we believe will continue to be relevant well into the future. But of course, there are still many trends out there to keep an eye out for. As such, when going about building any type of property, it is vital to know what these trends are to ensure your property is up to date.

That being said, if you are looking for professionals to build a property for you, be sure that they’re up-to-date with these trends. That way, you can enjoy a future-ready property that’ll allow you to enjoy the best of what the construction industry has to offer you!

A&R Builders are dedicated to the finest craftsmanship, offering clients a commitment to build various structures with quality, punctuality, and excellent work ethics in mind. If you are looking for builders in Florida, get in touch with us right away!

How Long Does It Take To Build a Commercial Building?

construction

Construction is a global market involving various industries, such as architecture, engineering, project management, and construction. For this reason, a construction project can be complex and is divided into two categories: residential and commercial. The former involves the construction of residential buildings, such as single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses. Meanwhile, the latter consists of constructing commercial buildings, such as office buildings, shopping malls, and warehouses.

Residential construction is straightforward because it’s meant for private use. However, commercial construction is more complex because it involves the construction of public buildings that many people will use. For this reason, commercial construction typically works around a strict timeframe that requires a lot of coordination between the different contractors working on the project. Few people know how this works, so we’ll discuss the details in this article.

Planning, Designing, and Pricing Stage

The first stage of a commercial construction project is planning, designing, and pricing. In this stage, the construction company contracted to build the public building will develop an action plan. This plan will include the different aspects of the project and how the construction company will execute it. Typically, this stage takes around 4 to 10 weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the public building.

After the plan is made, the construction company will present it to the client. The client will either approve or reject the plan. The construction company will begin the design stage if the client approves the project. In this stage, the construction company will develop a detailed blueprint of the public building. After the blueprint is made, the construction company will price the project. The client must approve the price before the construction company can begin the next stage.

Creation of Detailed Designs and Seeking Client Consent

Once everything is agreed upon, the construction company will create a detailed building design. This design will be used to seek client consent before construction can begin. The construction company will also use the design to price the project, and they can begin the arrangements if the client approves the design and the price. This stage typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, but it can be earlier if the construction company and the client agree on an accelerated timeline.

Seeking Building Consent

Once the client approves the initial designs, the construction company will go to the local council to seek building consent. This process can also take 6 to 8 weeks, so the construction company will ensure that the client is comfortable with the time frame before applying. However, it can be earlier depending on the council’s workload because they process many requests.

Construction Phase

The construction phase is the most visible part of the project, but a lot of work happens behind the scenes. The construction company will work with the client to ensure that the project is on track and that any changes are made promptly. They will also work with the suppliers to ensure that the materials are delivered on time and meet the project’s specifications.

Typically, the construction phase takes 8 to 52 weeks, and it can be shorter or longer depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Post-construction Phase

Once construction is done, there will be a few more things to do. For one, final inspections will be conducted, and the client will be given a walkthrough of the project to ensure that everything meets their expectations.

After that, the project will be officially handed over to the client. The construction company will usually provide a warranty for their work, and they will also be available to answer any questions or address any issues that may come up. This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, and there are instances where the time will be exhausted to ensure everything will be accounted for.

Conclusion

A commercial building takes more than just a blueprint and a construction team because the building will be an investment for the future. The process may be complicated, but the construction process will be smooth with proper planning and coordination. For this reason, you must work with a reliable construction company with experience in commercial construction.

If you’re looking for a commercial construction company in Fort Myers, A&R Builders can help you! Our professional builders are committed to quality and a strong work ethic, so we guarantee you’ll get a building that suits your needs. Visit our website today to schedule an appointment!

Home Builders’ Top 9 New Real Estate Construction Trends

Construction

While the show model may captivate clients, several hidden costs may lurk behind the breathtaking property.

Several buyers call home builders because building a new home gives frustrated homeowners an alternative source after bidding out of many homes in a tight inventory market. They can also develop their specifications and find with peace of mind that their materials and appliances will be new and energy-efficient.

Your best bet is to ask what your home builder will cover. Homeowners must also concentrate on relevant structural upgrades and identify the features that will provide the highest resale value.

As Cape Coral’s best home builders, here are nine new construction home features to consider. 

1. Build an Outdoor Kitchen

The rise of outdoor kitchens began in 2020 when several homeowners were looking for new ways to eat and socialize in their home spaces safely. 

Once the winter season arrives, the fire pits and patio heaters move in. Today, home builders can construct an open kitchen according to their client’s needs, whether they want a simple grill and patio or a fully-equipped cooking station.

2. Buy High-End Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are the room’s focal point and a top feature that usually pays an excellent return on investment.

Higher-end cabinets like floor-to-ceiling designs with premium hardware, soft closes, and drawer slides will open up storage space and attract potential buyers. 

3. Splurge on Floors for Excellent First Impressions

Home builders recommend investing in a high-quality wooden floor because it can warm up a room and create an excellent first impression for future buyers. 

On the other hand, buyers are choosing ceramic tiles or wood-look laminates in the kitchen and opting for offset larger tiles in the bathroom for durability and long-term wear.

4. Master the Bath

Buyers can quickly get soaked into paying too much for bathroom amenities they might not need or want. 

Clients must know how to weigh the value of luxury amenities, such as a walk-in bathroom with multiple body jets, against the price of custom installation. 

Home builders recommend installing radiant heated floors to add the right touch of practical luxury in colder without paying the pricey accouterments. 

5. Light up the Room

Like structural choices, you must also carefully consider lighting since post-close changes can lead to messy and expensive mistakes. 

Home builders recommend adding bright and subtle upgrades to your kitchen and bathroom, such as recessed lighting, pendants, and sconces. 

6. Widen the Garage

Reputable home builders recommend extending the size of your garage, especially if you need a little extra space for storing seasonal items and larger vehicles. You may also consider heating the square footage and converting it into an additional living space. 

7. Open the Resale Windows

Besides providing light, the windows of your home silence noises, protect you against harmful UV rays and create a seamless silhouette. 

Windows can be an excellent investment, especially for homeowners who always experience extreme weather conditions. Windows can also significantly reduce your energy bills because they retain cool air in the summer and warm air during winter. 

8. Add Child-Friendly Features

Home builders also recommend adding kid-friendly features such as finished basements and dedicated bonus spaces because they successfully sell. Properties with nearby playrooms, pools, and parks are also hot tickets for homeowners with families. 

Listings with the keywords “treehouse” or “garage” are associated with a 2.2% sales premium, and homes with a backyard in the description are selling over five days faster. 

Sandboxes and playgrounds also contribute to quicker sales, with these features selling 4.5x and 2.5x quicker, respectively. 

9. Maximize the Flex Space

Lastly, while open concepts were trendy pre-pandemic, work-from-home and stay-at-home orders closed the door on that trend, with a few exceptions. 

Dedicated spaces with solid internet connection are essential for households on consistent Zoom meetings for school and work.

Creating a Lasting First Impression

Home builders must create a house that will leave a lasting first impression if homeowners want to increase their resale values. 

A&R Builders have the best home builders in Cape Coral dedicated to ensuring quality, punctuality, and excellent craftsmanship. Get in touch with us today!

Everything You Should Know about Masonry Construction

Masonry

Over 80% of landscaping specialists use bricks to improve the appearance of your yard. As a result, masonry construction is popular. It has benefits that other construction technologies do not have.

Masonry construction is employed because of its earthquake protection, hurricane-resistant, and water-resistant properties. They also effectively insulate and are great for fire accidents, preventing termites. If you build your home and yard with masonry, they will last for decades.

Read on to discover everything you should know about masonry construction.

What You Can Get from Masonry Construction

Using masonry construction offers a myriad of benefits, such as:

Masonry Construction Makes Stronger Walls

The brick and stone material used for masonry construction makes for walls that last longer than wooden ones. Brick and stone are weather-resistant.

Masonry Construction Offers Optimized Insulation

Masons are experts in the construction of walls and improved insulation. Your home’s heating and cooling loads will be reduced.

Masonry Construction Provides Cost Reductions

Heating expenditures might be prohibitively expensive when the colder months roll in. In masonry structures, stone or brick walls reduce heating costs.

Masonry Construction Reduces Noise

Wooden structures produce more noise than brick and stone structures. This promotes restful sleep and relaxation indoors.

Masonry Construction Uses Quality Materials

Masonry construction uses stone and brick materials that are long-lasting. They will never deteriorate, break, or fade. As such, your house will last for many decades.

Masonry Construction Elevates Aesthetics

Brick and stone make for lovely structures that add a touch of class to your home. They also boost property values.

Masonry Construction Allows for Easy Maintenance 

Using clean masonry walls deters muck and insects. As a result, they also produce fewer health problems.

The Many Functions of Masonry Construction

1. Wall Reinforcement

Masonry walls prevent soil erosion. Lawns, gardens, patios, and walks are often separated by these walls.

2. Visual Appeal

The use of brick and stone improves the exterior’s aesthetic appeal. Masonry is a great option for both style and functionality.

3. Increased Property Worth and Value

You must impress potential buyers in order to sell a home. Brick and stone masonry are attractive house improvement options.

4. Fireproof Structures

Structures that are fireproof are required in a fire-prone environment. Traditional houses are not fire-resistant. Masonry constructions are fireproof.

The Materials and Supplies Used for Masonry Construction

Bricks

Common masonry construction uses bricks to build walls. Bricks can be put together in a variety of ways.

Bricks are a long-lasting construction material. Furthermore, it is appealing. They are, however, prone to twisting and strain due to temperature changes and wear and tear.

Stone 

Homeowners are also drawn to stone masonry. Mortar connects horizontally aligned stones. It is suitable for large-scale projects.

Stone masonry is durable, long-lasting, and resistant to water. They are, however, more costly than brick.

Concrete

In masonry construction, bricks may be replaced by concrete blocks. This material is both long-lasting and inexpensive. However, it does not have the aesthetic charm of brick or stone masonry.

Complete

Building your home using masonry construction should not be too difficult, especially if you work with a trusted professional team. As you plan and get moving, the project can be finished once everything has been laid out according to plan. Soon, you will have a lovely home with your chosen brickwork to make it more visually appealing.
Are you looking for a construction company in Bonita Springs? A&R Builders is a reliable team that can guide you through building your dream home. Give us a call today to get started!

The Foundation as the Most Significant Part of Your Home

house

The majority of people believe that their roof is their home’s most crucial component. Although your roof shields you from extreme outdoor elements, it’s not the only thing that keeps you secure. Your home is supported and supported by its foundation.

Without a strong foundation, it’s only a matter of time before the building suffers significant harm. One part of your home that needs to be built right the first time is the foundation because it may not always be simple to fix if something goes wrong during construction. To put it mildly, making sure the foundation is built correctly and in accordance with industry standards is always worthwhile.

That said, below are a few explanations as to why you should shift your attention to your foundation and ensure it is firmly constructed.

1. It Helps Support Your Home

Your home’s foundation is buried beneath the surface of the ground. Its main function is to support your home. Without it, your home would quickly settle unevenly into the ground, causing cracks and other damage. Even during a flood or earthquake, a correctly designed foundation will keep the house level and supported. However, laying concrete and drilling into the ground is not enough to make a solid foundation. It must be adequately adapted to the location. Considerations for this include the geology, the backfill, the soil characteristics, and the water table. In order for the base to support your home even when the ground below shifts, it must also be appropriately positioned, adequately compacted, and made of the right materials.

2. It Helps Resist Movement

There are always natural forces at play; there is no doubt about that. Tectonic plates move beneath your property, soil moisture levels fluctuate frequently, temperature changes affect the soil’s properties, and water tables can shift at any time. If your house isn’t secured to a foundation, the forces of nature can cause it to crumble, split apart, or even wash away. A strong foundation can resist any seasonal movement that takes place below and around your home. To avoid excessive settlement or movement, it will shift the load of the building to the rock or soil beneath.

3. It Helps Insulate Your Home

The most crucial component of your house is its foundation since it has insulating qualities that will keep your house warm even in the bitterly cold Canadian winters. In actuality, a well-insulated basement can significantly reduce your heating costs. Insulation can be added to the exterior or interior of your current foundation if it does not already have it in place to lessen heat loss. Suppose you’re trying to energy-proof your existing home or build a new one. In that case, it’s always advisable to speak with a local masonry professional because the optimal insulation placement depends on the environment.

4. It Helps Keep Moisture Out

There are many things that might harm your house, but dampness is the one you should definitely watch out for. Your home’s structure can become swiftly compromised and weakened by moisture. The earth becomes saturated when water from snow and rain accumulates near your home. Water from the above ground can also be distributed by tree and plant roots through the soil and toward your home. Your foundation may be strained as a result of the soil’s potential to shift and expand.

Your home will stay dry no matter the weather with a strong foundation and good drainage, keeping water out of the basement. Additionally, damp proofing a foundation wall can stop moisture from penetrating the interior of the basement through the concrete walls. Toxic mold and structural damage can be avoided by keeping water and moisture out of your basement.

Conclusion

Indeed, the foundation is the most crucial part of your home. It supports the entire weight of the house and keeps it from settling. Your home could crack, crumble, and even collapse without a strong foundation. That’s why it’s important to have a professional inspect your foundation regularly and make necessary repairs.

If you are looking for a company that will tend to your concrete foundations in Florida, look no further than our services here at A&R Builders. Our personalized options and wide range of prices cater to every budget, so you’re sure to find the solutions you need. Call us today, and let us tend to your foundations in no time!

5 Reasons Why People Should Choose New Home Construction

new home construction

There are many factors to consider when home shoppers do a home search. However, choosing between a newly-constructed home or a resale is at the top of the list. But only buyers can tell which is the better choice, depending on their needs, preferences, and personal priorities.

For some, the allure of a brand-new home is hard to resist. They love the idea of being the property’s first owners and designing and personalizing it according to their taste. But why should people choose new homes? Here are some ideas.

1. Less Maintenance

A new home is less likely to have maintenance problems. Think of a new home as a brand-new car. It’s bound to have some glitches and issues at the start, but once those are fixed, it will run smoothly for years.

On the other hand, a resale home has been lived in before, which means it may have some maintenance issues that need to be addressed. It may also need some repairs and updates. These things will add to the costs of a resale home.

2. Energy Efficiency

New homes are built with energy efficiency in mind. It means that they will have high-efficiency windows, doors, and appliances. They will also have better insulation. Energy efficiency means spending less on your energy bills each month.

Not only is energy efficiency important for your wallet, but it’s also essential for the environment. By conserving energy, we can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help protect our planet. If you’re in the market for a new home, look for one that is energy efficient.

3. Builder’s Warranty

Another advantage of buying a new construction home is receiving a warranty from the builder. It will protect you from any defects that may arise during the first few years of ownership. It’s a great way to have peace of mind when making such a big purchase.

If you buy a used home, you may not have this protection. It’s essential to have a home inspected before buying it, ensuring its quality and integrity. But even with an inspection, you may not be covered if something goes wrong.

4. Personalization

One of the benefits of buying a new construction home is that you’ll be able to work with the builder to select all of the finishes, fixtures, and appliances for your home. It means you can have a say in everything from the countertops to the light fixtures you want.

Of course, there are some downsides to buying a new construction home. But overall, buying a new construction home can be a great way to get the home of your dreams, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

5. Peace of Mind

If you’re looking for a home that will give you peace of mind, a new-construction home is a great option. With a new construction home, you know that all systems are brand new and up to code. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about repairs or replacements soon.

Conclusion

New home construction is for people who want to be involved in the building process. Meanwhile, buying a new home is the way to go if it is also a turnkey solution and doesn’t want to deal with renovation or repair projects. Building a new home is a great way to get what you want. If you take the time to research and work with a reputable builder, you will have a home that you will love for years.

A&R Builders is a commercial and residential construction company helping clients build their dream properties in Cape Coral. Although we only started building in 2015, we have established quality projects in the last few years, making us one of the top builders in the area. Our pure dedication is enough to prove the worth of your trust, time, and money. Learn more about our builders by booking an appointment on our website today.