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RENOVATING WITHOUT DISRUPTING: Smart construction strategies to minimize downtime

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Running an Occupied Facility During Construction: It’s Possible…with the Right Team 

When it comes to healthcare construction, the stakes are high. You can’t afford to shut down for renovations – patients need care, staff need functional spaces, and operations must continue seamlessly. So how do you upgrade a facility without disrupting critical services?  

Unlike traditional multi-firm projects, Bush Construction integrates development, design and construction under one roof. This means a streamlined approach, smarter planning and fewer disruptions – keeping your practice running and your patients happy.  

Phased Renovations: Keeping Your Practice Running  

Renovating in phases allows your facility to remain open while construction happens in designated areas. 

  • Minimizing Impact: We carefully plan each phase to keep patient care uninterrupted. 
  • Temporary Solutions: Swing spaces and temporary treatment areas keep services operational. 
  • Off-Hours Work: Night and weekend construction limits disruptions during peak hours. 

 

Planning and Communication: Staying One Step Ahead 

Our pre-construction, design and project teams will work closely with your staff to ensure seamless coordination and transparency.  

Preconstruction Planning: We align work with your least busy times to reduce impact. 

Early and Reoccurring Design Walkthroughs: Our designers will walk through phased design plans early and often with your doctors, nurses and office managers integrating workflow needs.  

Supply Chain Management: With a fully integrated team, we can sync up early to pre-order materials, preventing delays and avoiding unexpected costs.  

 

Single-Source Contact: One point of communication eliminates misalignment between teams. 

ICRA-Certified Teams: Clean and Safe Construction 

Healthcare construction requires strict infection control. Our ICRA-certified professionals ensure: 

  • Blocked-Off Work Zones: Minimizing dust, debris, and airborne particles.  
  • Clean Air & Spaces: Proper airflow management to prevent contamination. 
  • Safety First: Strict protocols to protect patients and staff. 

A Smarter Approach to Healthcare Construction 

Renovations don’t have to be a headache. With Bush Construction, you get a single-source partner that keeps your facility running smoothly. We handle everything—so you can focus on what matters most: your patients. 

Start your seamless renovation now!

Book a Discovery Call


Top Questions Clients Ask About Our Full-Service Delivery Model

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At Bush Construction, we offer a full-service Develop, Design, Build delivery model that brings every aspect of a project—from creative financing expertise to final construction—under one roof. This approach simplifies the process, improves communication, and creates better outcomes for our clients.

Development

Female accountant calculations, audit and analyzing financial graph data with calculator and laptop Business, Financing, Accounting, Doing finance, Economy, Savings Banking Concept.

Design

Build

If you’re new to this model, you likely have a few questions. Here are the top questions we hear from clients—and how we answer them: 

  1. What does “Develop, Design, Build” actually mean?

It means we handle it all—from helping you evaluate and secure a site, to designing your space, to building it. Instead of juggling multiple vendors or managing several contracts, you work with one experienced partner who brings it all together. We guide you through the entire journey, providing seamless coordination and expert insight every step of the way. 

  1. How is this different from a traditional construction process?

In a traditional approach, the developer, architect, and contractor are separate entities with separate agendas. That often leads to miscommunication, delays, and finger-pointing. In our model, we’re all one team working toward the same goal—your success. It results in fewer surprises, faster timelines, and tighter cost control.  

  1. Is it more expensive to use a full-service firm?

Not at all—in fact, it’s often more cost-effective. By integrating development, design, and construction, we reduce costly rework and speed up decision-making. You also get more accurate budget projections early on, which helps you make better financial decisions from the start. 

  1. Can I still be involved in the process?

Absolutely. We believe in a collaborative approach, and your input is vital. Our team will guide you through each phase, providing options, recommendations, and clear communication to keep you informed and involved—without overwhelming you with every detail. 

  1. What kinds of projects are best suited for this model?

Just about any project can benefit from a full-service approach—especially those with tight timelines, fixed budgets, or complex site or zoning challenges. We’ve used this model successfully in historic redevelopment, multi-family housing, healthcare, education, commerical and mixed-use developments. 

  1. What if I already have a site or an architect?

No problem. We can plug in wherever you need us. If you already own a site or have an architect in mind, we’re happy to collaborate. Our goal is to complement the team and keep your project moving forward efficiently. 

  1. Why should I choose Bush Construction for my project?

Because we don’t just build buildings—we build confidence. With decades of experience, a proven process, and a team of development, design, and construction experts, we make complex projects simple. And we do it with integrity, transparency, and a focus on relationships that last long after the project is done. 

 

Have a question we didn’t answer?

Let’s talk. We’re always happy to walk through how our approach can work for you. 

Book a Discovery Call



 

Building for Better Care: The Stress-Free Way to Expand Your Practice

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An Integrated Approach to Construction for Busy Healthcare Professionals 

For medical professionals, time is everything. Whether you’re running a private practice, managing an outpatient center, or expanding a specialty clinic, your focus is on patient care—not on juggling architects, contractors, and project timelines. That’s why the way you approach your facility’s construction matters just as much as the final result. 

A design-build approach simplifies healthcare facility development by integrating planning, design, and construction under one team. This means fewer headaches, a faster timeline, and a smoother experience from start to finish.

 

Why an Integrated Approach Works

Traditional construction projects involve separate firms for development/planning, design and construction, which can lead to miscommunication, budget overruns, and timeline delays. A fully integrated experience, like the approach offered at Bush Construction, eliminates those headaches by offering:  

✔ Site Selection & Development Guidance – Expert insight into location analysis, zoning, and infrastructure to ensure your facility is built in the right place for success.  

✔ A Single Point of Contact – No need to juggle multiple firms – Communication is streamlined through one trusted partner. 

✔ Faster Project Timelines | Minimal downtime – With development, design and construction teams working in sync, we can easily phase construction, allowing you to keep operating as efficiently as possible.  

✔ Cost Predictability – Early collaboration between architects and builders ensures budgets are set and surprises are avoided. 

✔ A Facility Designed for Your Needs – From patient flow to compliance standards, every aspect is planned with your practice in mind. 

 

Keeping Your Focus Where It Belongs 

Your expertise is in healthcare—not in navigating real estate and construction. With the right development and design-build partner, you get a smarter, more efficient process allowing you the peace of mind knowing your facility is evolving without unnecessary disruptions.  

At Bush Construction, we specialize in helping healthcare professionals find the right site, plan for long-term growth, and build state-of-the-art facilities—all while keeping the process as simple and stress-free as possible. 

 

Planning a new facility or ready to expand? Let’s build something great together.

 

Reach out to Amy Simler 📩 to get the conversation started!



5 Benefits of Collaborating with a Design-Build Firm for Your Project

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Considering a construction or renovation project? Your choice of approach can significantly impact the process and outcome. At Bush Construction, we simplify it all with our integrated design-build method—bringing design, development, and construction together under one roof.

Here are five key advantages of partnering with a design-build firm like Bush Construction:

1. Seamless Integration of Design and Construction:

Design-Build project by Bush: Cardiovascular Medicine located in Moline, IL.

The hallmark of design-build is the seamless connection between design, development, and construction. Traditional methods often involve separate contracts for each, creating inefficiencies.

At Bush, our in-house licensed architects, development experts, and full-service construction team ensure everything aligns from the start. This integrated approach reduces delays and fosters a smoother overall process.

 

The Wild Carrot event center – St. Louis – a project developed, designed and construction by Bush.

2. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration:

Clear communication between all project stakeholders is vital for project success. Our team fosters open lines of communication from day one. Think of it this way…when our design and construction teams need to talk, we walk across the aisle, instead of drive across town or play a game of phone tag with another company. This collaborative environment encourages shared insights, early identification of potential issues, and joint decision-making. As a result, you’re less likely to encounter misunderstandings, delays, or cost overruns due to miscommunication.

3. Accelerated Project Timelines:

We know time is of the essence when it comes to your project which is why we so firmly believe in our design-build method. Traditional project delivery methods, such as design-bid-build, can result in elongated timelines as each phase relies on the completion of the previous one. Design-build firms, on the other hand, can significantly expedite the process. Since the design and construction teams work concurrently, construction can often begin before the entire design is finalized. This overlap translates to quicker project completion and earlier occupancy.

Lafayette Preparatory Academy a project developed, designed and constructed by Bush in St. Louis.

4. Cost-Effective Solutions:

Design-build firms are well-positioned to deliver cost-effective solutions. With a shared understanding of the project’s budget and constraints, designers and builders collaborate to find innovative ways to meet aesthetic, functional, and financial goals.

At Bush, we are big believers in function-first. We work together to ensure the design isn’t over the top or vice versa, too restrained. Early collaboration between our design and construction teams, and a shared understanding of the owner’s needs, allows us to perform real-time cost assessments, reducing the likelihood of expensive design changes later in the project.

5. Single Point of Accountability:

One of the most significant advantages of working with a design-build firm is having a single point of accountability. Instead of juggling multiple contracts and responsibilities, you have one entity responsible for the entire project. This simplifies project management, reduces administrative burdens, and makes it easier to address any concerns or changes that may arise during construction. Ultimately, this single point of contact provides you with peace of mind and confidence throughout the project. At Bush, we have one team and one mission – you.

Let’s Build Together
By integrating development, design, and construction, Bush Construction delivers streamlined, cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs. Ready to get started? Explore some of our successful projects:

Let’s Chat

 

Get started with a no-obligation discovery meeting with Amy Simler, Vice President. 

Telephone receiver 563-441-2121

Email Asimler@bushconstruct.com

LinkedIn

 

Book a Discovery Call

 

 

 

 

 



4 Benefits to Redeveloping a Historic Building

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You’ve seen them before – a rundown, old building that may seem like nothing more than a relic of the past. For some, it’s hard to see the potential. But for us at Bush Construction, these structures are our sweet spot. Using our full-service approach to development, design and construction; historic redevelopment properties serve as a symbol of potential and new life.
Each historic renovation is a unique endeavor, with its own set of opportunities and obstacles. While the idea of restoring a historic building may initially seem overwhelming, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
From unlocking valuable tax incentives to breathing new life into beloved landmarks, today we’ll explore four benefits you may not know about redeveloping historic properties.

1. Historic Tax Credit: Revitalizing Communities, Maximizing Savings

Historic renovation isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s also a strategic investment for the future.

One of the most significant incentives driving our projects is the array of historic tax credits (HTC) available. These credits not only stimulate economic growth but also offer substantial cost savings to developers and property owners.

By leveraging federal and state historic tax credits, our clients can recoup a significant portion of their project costs, making historic renovation an economically viable option. These credits serve as a catalyst for urban revitalization, spurring job creation, attracting businesses, and enhancing property values.

 

At Bush Construction, we guide our clients through the intricacies of the tax credit process, maximizing their benefits while ensuring compliance with historic preservation standards.

2. Preservation of Architectural Heritage: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Historic redevelopments receiving historic tax credits are subject to strict regulations and requirements to ensure historically significant features are preserved. At the start of a project, our team will work with a historical consultant to identify a building’s “period of significance.” The period of significance is the period during which the building gained architectural, historical, or geographical importance. Features in the building that fall within the period of significance must be left untouched or refurbished to abide by historic tax credit requirements.

At Bush Construction, we take pride in our integrated design-build team whose expertise lies in historical redevelopment (learn more about the benefits of collaborating with a design-build firm here). Our in-house architects have a function-first approach and can design spaces to seamlessly integrate modern functionality while preserving historical significance. Our construction team, and trusted subcontractors, understand the delicate balance and attention to detail required to transform a building while preserving its heritage.

3. Sense of Place and Identity: Community-Centric Revitalization

In the realm of historic renovation, community buy-in is paramount. At Bush Construction, we recognize the profound impact our projects have on the fabric of neighborhoods and cities. We actively engage with local stakeholders – including city leaders, the Chamber of

Commerce, potential investors and others – seeking their input and collaboration throughout the revitalization process.

By fostering a sense of ownership and pride within the community, we ensure that our projects resonate with the collective identity and heritage of the area. Whether through public outreach initiatives, community workshops, or partnerships with local organizations, we strive to create spaces that serve as cultural landmarks and gathering points for generations to come.

4. Environmental Sustainability: Preserving the Planet, One Building at a Time

Sustainable development practices are increasingly important in today’s world. Renovating historic properties aligns with the principles of sustainability by promoting adaptive reuse and minimizing waste. Rather than demolishing existing structures and consuming new resources, renovation projects repurpose materials and infrastructure, reducing the environmental impact of construction. By choosing to renovate historic properties, you embrace a more environmentally conscious approach to development, leaving a lighter footprint on the planet.

If you’re looking for more information on redeveloping a historic building, give us a shout. Our experienced team can walk you through the process one step at a time, ensuring you reap the full benefits of preserving the past to build a better future.

Through our commitment to historic tax credits, architectural heritage, community engagement, and environmental sustainability, we’re shaping a world where history thrives, and heritage endures. Join us on this journey of preservation and progress.

Explore historic redevelopment projects.

Ready to Get Started?
Book a Discovery Call

Seven Steps in the Bush Construction Design Process

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Taking on a construction project can feel overwhelming. Outlining your scope. Securing financing. Selecting partners (sometimes multiple partners). Designing. Building. Ribbon Cutting. Is your head spinning?

Bush Construction takes the complication out of construction by bringing all the critical services under one roof: real estate buying/planning, architectural design, and construction build. Read more about that here.

In today’s blog, we’re focusing on the design process and the seven fundamental steps that the design team at Bush Construction uses to get you to the construction phase of your project. As your design partner, we’ll make a process that can feel overwhelming and complex as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Let’s dive into the phases we’ll take you through as our partner.

1.    Pre-Design

The pre-design phase is all about forming a vision and analyzing the project space. As one of the more client-involved stages, we’ll closely collaborate with your team to capture your vision, understand your values, and plan for optimized functionality.

Our team will conduct a series of exploratory meetings which include listening, questioning, and ideating. We’ll take a deep dive with your team to build the foundation of your design:

Function: How will the space be used, organized, and arranged?

Style: Your personality, lifestyle, and design style preferences.

Space: How much space is needed now and in the future?

The other vital part of the pre-design phase is observing and documenting the existing conditions of the project site including surveying the land/existing building (property lines, measuring structures etc.) and doing background research on surrounding areas (contextuality, zoning, etc.).

2.    Schematic Design

In this phase, we’ll start translating the pre-design program into a real building design – your vision is beginning to take shape! The schematic design phase is also about capturing a general look and feel.

We’ll work together to discover what inspires us through hand sketches, models, and examples of past projects. We’ll develop preliminary site and floor plans as well as 3D renderings to visualize the size, shape, and relationship of the spaces to each other.

3.    Design Development

Using the approved preliminary site and floor plans, we’ll start making more concrete decisions about your space. These include the development of detailed drawings and specifications documents while keeping an eye on code compliance. Things are starting to come to life!

A rigorous coordination effort with all applicable disciplines will ensure fine-tuning and solidifying the design. You’ll be asked to review and approve these documents to confirm we’re on the right track. This is a great time to ensure the project scope is in line with the project budget – refining early on will save the most cost during construction. Construction costs have been varying widely in the past couple of years, our team collaborates to account for changes and conducts an exercise in value engineering.

Once approved, the deliverable will be a more detailed set of drawings that communicates the overall layout and volume of the building or space, all significant equipment, and the type of material or finish for every surface of the project.

4.    Construction Documents

It’s critical we communicate with the construction team in a way that creates clarity and accuracy. In this phase, the established design plans will be translated into precise construction documents. This step ensures that the vision is precisely and completely communicated to the construction team. (While we will handle this, check out these 12 terms to make yourself more familiar with the lingo.) Construction documents define:

a. Details, dimensions, and notes necessary to communicate the entire design intent

b. Specify all materials, finishes, and fixtures

c. Specify and place all required equipment with connectivity

5.    Building Permitting

In this phase, we’ll take the load off you, identifying and acquiring all required building permits so you can enter construction with peace of mind.

Permits show your project complies with the applicable guidelines and regulations required by your city or jurisdiction including but not limited to land use, building, and energy codes. We’ll manage this process from start to finish including submitting all required plans and forms, monitoring progress during the review process, and providing additional information or clarification as requested.

6.    Bidding and Negotiation

Bush Construction has a fully integrated team that can provide a seamless experience from concept to completion. Depending on the complexity of the project, subcontractors may need to be engaged. Our team of experts can lead the bidding and negotiation process to qualify and hire the best fit for you while remaining completely transparent.

We’ll engage pre-qualified and reputable subcontractors we know and trust, including those you may prefer. With a wide range of providers, we’ll ensure we’re weighing all options to best fit your needs and budget.

7.    Ongoing oversight and site walkthroughs

Much of the design work will be complete at this point, but we’ll stay involved until project completion to ensure the results are delivered with the quality and intent you expect.

The beautiful part about working with Bush is that our integrated approach brings expertise in all aspects of the design-build process.

Through construction, we’ll be your eyes and ears on the job site to answer questions from our construction team and proactively address potential issues. As one team under one roof, we can easily address the natural inefficiencies and waste that occur through a typical multi-firm-led process. At substantial completion, we develop a punch list and guide the construction team to wrap up the project to your satisfaction.

 

Why Bush?

One vision. One team. Concept to completion.

When you choose Bush Construction, expect a seamless experience from concept to completion. With development, design, pre-construction, and construction services under one roof, our integrated team works together to make your project stress-free and fun.

 

Ready to get started?

 

Get started with a no-obligation discovery meeting with Sameer Kulkarni, our Director of Design.

Telephone receiver 563-549-2115

Email skulkarni@bushconstruct.com

Book a Discovery Call

 

 

The Top 3 Sources for Construction Financing

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TOP 3 FUNDING SOURCES FOR CONSTRUCTION FINANCING

 

When it comes to financing your construction project, the number of lending options can make your head spin – local lenders, government funding, savings and loan associations, grants – the list can go on and on.

Whether you work in community development, revitalize downtown areas, or are just an investor in real estate, it is important to educate yourself on utilizing unique debt options during construction and once the project stabilizes and converts to permanent financing.

Today, we’ll break down three of the most common types of financing sources and what factors to consider when determining the best fit for your project.

 

1. Work with a local lender, such as a community bank or a national lender before, during, AND after construction.

  • Under this choice, you typically pay just your monthly interest-only payment based on the outstanding balance during construction, with no principal pay-downs. Say it’s 12 months of construction – you pay interest-only for 12 months.
  • When the project achieves stabilization or is completed, you will convert to permanent financing (principal + interest.) Local lenders usually cannot exceed 30-year amortizations, so you must evaluate the cash flow using both available options.

2. Work with a local lender for the interest-only period, which would be before and during construction.

  • After construction, you use government-backed permanent financing from HUD or USDA, where they pay off the local bank and take over.

3. Use government-backed financing only – through HUD or USDA before, during AND after construction.

  • HUD and USDA offer 40-year amortized loans with fixed rates, but the application process is substantially longer than working with your local lender.

How do you choose what’s right for you?

Consider:

Community size

If your community is considered rural, (30,000 people or less) you qualify for a USDA loan.

Project type

If 30% of your project building’s square footage is allocated to commercial business, you most likely will not qualify for HUD financing.
On mixed-use projects, such as a multi-family unit plus commercial, keep in mind what percentage is commercial. HUD wants to see projects that are 20% commercial or less.

Timing

Lots of time? HUD or USDA financing from the beginning of construction has a closing period that is considerably long. It could take up to 12-24 months. With a local lender, the paperwork, reviewing, and due diligence process could be finished within 2-3 months.

Fees

A government-backed loan has higher fees, but typically a lower long-term fixed interest rate. If you’re able to wait and pay upfront, thus recouping that money over time, HUD or USDA will work for you. If not, try a more traditional route, like a local lender.

Bush Construction is here to help.

 

Our team can be on your side from the time you begin evaluating an existing structure or analyzing the bare ground you want to build on. Bring your ideas to Jon Davidshofer. He can give feedback and take you to the next level to discuss applicable funding options – starting with the top 3 mentioned here. Additional funding sources can be explored later. (State and Federal tax credits and grants.)

Why Hiring a Full-Service Construction Team Saves You Time, Money, and Headaches

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In recent years, Bush Construction expanded its service divisions to include in-house architectural, design, and real estate development services. This trifecta is a rare mix for construction firms in the Midwest. In fact, Bush is the only major commercial constructor in the Quad Cities offering this specific integrated approach.

So, what does it truly mean to be full-service and why should you, as an owner or building manager, consider hiring an integrated team? Let’s dive in.

What is a full-service construction firm?

In a typical construction process, you’d have to engage multiple companies (sometimes four or more!) to fulfill various phases of a new build or renovation project.

  1. Real Estate Development – to evaluate the investment, guide financing, and/or engage investors for your project
  2. Design Architect – to vision, plan, and design your space(s)
  3. Pre-Construction Planning – to estimate, plan and hire subcontractors
  4. Construction – to implement and build the plans put in place

The process of hiring and vetting so many companies can be daunting for owners. This often leads to natural inefficiencies in connecting everyone, sharing information, and working together as a team for the entire length of the project (which can often be years!).

At Bush Construction, think of us as a one-stop shop. Our team consists of experts offering services from all the areas listed above, enabling us to take projects in any industry from concept to completion. So why is that good for you? It boils down to clearer, more transparent communication, better efficiency, and a focused approach.

Better connected, better results.

We believe the best work happens when the developer, architect, and builder work collaboratively for the benefit of the customer. With one team under one roof, owners have one point of contact. This results in clearer, quicker, and more transparent communication along the way.

As one unit, we’re able to avoid delays and miscommunication that become common when you engage multiple companies. Take this scenario as an example…

The construction team is ready to install the fancy new cabinets for your break room that were carefully selected by the design firm. Oops – the wrong ones were delivered, and it turns out the originals are no longer in stock. In this case, it could take days for the problem to be identified, for the two firms to connect (multiple emails and phone calls!) and to find a mutually beneficial solution that keeps both teams on track.

As an integrated team, Bush team members are naturally more connected resulting in quicker resolutions and better communication with each other and with the owner. Better connected, better results.

Efficiency means saving your time and money.

“Time is money” … the cliché we’ve all heard and experienced – but it’s true!

At the start of a construction process, we often hear feedback from owners that are anxious to get the show on the road. It’s important to dot every ‘I’ and cross every “T” before the first hammer swings, so we would never recommend rushing through those crucial initial steps. However, we’ve found having one integrated team under one company naturally speeds up the process.

There’s no need to take valuable project time to

combine and align multiple firms’ processes and teams. The full-service Bush team understands each other’s strengths and operates as a well-oiled machine. This allows us to get to work immediately, saving you time and money.

The same is true as we get to work, we believe better working relationships produce fewer errors which means timelines and budgets stay intact.

One team, one mission – you.

When you think of the benefits of working with a full-service construction team, this is what it really boils down to. Bush has one team, with one focused mission – and that mission is YOU. We believe our collective contributions are better than our individual skills. We work unselfishly and transparently as a group to understand each other’s expertise and provide the most value to our client.

Are you ready to start your project with a full-service team on your side? Give us a shout.

2023 Construction Costs

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2023 CONSTRUCTION COSTS: ARE WE SEEING ANY RELIEF?

It’s hard to believe that we are three years outside of the onset of COVID-19. Even now, its effects continue to shake up the world.

In March 2020, the construction industry saw a historical spike in pricing, an overall increase of about 20-30% in a matter of 12-16 months. Owners were forced to increase budgets or consider value engineering alternatives. Contractors were potentially out dollars for projects already bid and on-site job shutdowns and quarantines created high demand and extensive backlogs. 2021 saw little relief with unprecedented rates of inflation.

It’s the beginning of 2023 and you may be asking yourself, is now the time to build? The short answer – yes. With three years under our belts, Bush Construction has established and refined processes to assist in accounting for pricing changes and supply chain delays. And even better news, we’re starting to see surging material costs plateau.

Better planning with the three Cs: Contingencies, Communication and Collaboration

By now, it’s no secret you may be paying more for a new build or renovation than three years ago. With Bush on your side, we can help you navigate these changes and complexities. Ensuring your budget and timeline are met starts with proactive planning using the three Cs: contingencies, communication, and collaboration.

 

Contingencies

In commercial construction, a contingency refers to money (often a percentage of the total project cost) reserved to cover unexpected project costs that arise after the construction starts. Contingency budgets have been a part of the Bush process, but have become even more important in recent years as we navigated unpredictable material costs and labor shortages.

So how is a contingency budget typically used?

  • Materials: Design professionals and builders must think about materials. What happens if the manufacturer changes, creates variations, or discontinues a product chosen specifically for a project? The price fluctuates! Room should be left in the budget to swap out design materials for sometimes more costly, yet available, options.
  • Changing or unpredictable conditions: During estimating, it’s often difficult to account for unforeseen or differing conditions. Not every project site is ready to build on from day one. Old foundations may be buried on site unknowingly, the weather could damage or postpone progress, and much more. Factoring in a contingency would help cover this.
  • Wish Lists: Excess funds…it happens! Owners should consider a wish list. The team may end up with an excess of money allotted to the project. This would allow for project betterments previously thought to be out of reach. For example, higher-grade flooring.

To learn more about contingency budgets, check out our blog.

Communication

Changes happen quickly in this high-cost and supply chain environment, which means efficient and clear communication with project teams and with owners is even more important.

Typically, an owner may need to engage multiple firms to take a project from concept to completion. That’s not necessary with Bush. As a full-service team, we offer integrated services in architectural design, construction, and real estate development. With open lines of communication between our departments, clear, quick, and transparent communication with owners is just part of the package. We work hard to avoid delays and miscommunication that are common issues in the construction industry.

We’ve recently enhanced our ability to more accurately and effectively communicate costs to owners with our addition of Destini, an estimating software that makes Bush more efficient. Since it is cloud-hosted, anyone on our estimating team can input and access real-time cost data at the office or at home. We are also  working to expand historical cost information in the database to more quickly and efficiently estimate future projects. With sky-high interest rates and long lead times creating higher prices and longer projects, Destini aids building owners in managing their expectations for cost.

 

Collaboration

During the construction phase, we partner with subcontractors and suppliers, which takes a high level of ongoing collaboration. Bush has worked to put an emphasis on subcontractor relationships, but we’ve honed in even deeper on those relationships to help manage the volatility of the economy.

Subs and suppliers are often the first to know about price changes and supply chain issues. Leveraging our relationships and remaining in constant contact throughout each project allows us to alert owners quickly and pivot plans to try to avoid delays and budget increases.

 

What to expect from construction pricing in 2023

The future looks bright. In the last six months, we have seen construction prices  start to plateau and even trend down in a couple scopes.

Lumber was a huge problem, and those prices have come down. HVAC rooftop units are still in high demand, and electrical switchgear maintains long lead times. However, we’re able to anticipate these patterns and plan accordingly.

Though many things have changed since 2020, one thing remains the same: the importance of selecting a construction partner that can guide you through the process.

Contact our team today to get started.

 

Construction Tip: 12 Terms to Familiarize Yourself With

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As with any industry, the commercial construction industry has its own set of acronyms and key terms. What’s the difference between a contingency and an allowance? When do OAC meetings start? Having a general understanding of these key terms helps alleviate confusion between an owner and the general contractor and/or designer. We believe specificity and clear communication are keys to providing our clients with a great construction experience.

12 Common Commercial Construction Terms

  1. Contingency: Money, often a percentage of the total project cost, reserved to cover unexpected project costs that arise during a project. For example, a contractor starts excavating a site and hits bedrock. To remove it, different equipment needs to be brought in and the excavation takes longer than originally estimated. Contingency funds would be used to pay for this unexpected cost.
  2. Allowance: Funds set aside to cover a known cost of an unknown amount. For example, an owner wants to use tile flooring in their front entryway so the contractor budgets for a standard tile material that costs $5 per sq/ft.  The owner ultimately selects an $8 per sq/ft option and agrees to pay the $3 per sq/ft amount by which the actual tile exceeded the allowance.
  3. Consequential Damages: Damages to an owner’s business indirectly resulting from a breach of contract and which are generally foreseeable but not defined at the start of a project. For example, delays in the completion of a project for a manufacturing company result in the company’s inability to complete contracts for its customers.
  4. Liquidated Damages: A sum of money the contractor agrees to pay the owner, typically for each day the contractor completes the project late. For example, a contractor pays the owner of an office building $1,000 per day for every day the office building is completed after the contractual completion date.  The amount cannot be so great that it would be considered a penalty.  Liquidated Damages are typically accompanied by an equal and opposite Early Completion Bonus.
  5. Punchlist: A list of scope items that must be completed before a construction project is declared complete. Examples might include: replacing a damaged ceiling tile, touching up paint or ensuring dirt in light fixtures is cleaned.
  6. Substantial Completion Date: The date an owner can occupy the building for its intended use. For example, if there’s a long lead time on carpet that isn’t available to install in a conference room, the lack of carpet in that room doesn’t prevent the office building from being used.
  7. Final Completion: The date the project is fully and satisfactorily complete, Including the completion of all punchlist items.   The contractor can receive final payment upon final completion.
  8. OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) Meetings: Periodic meetings between the owner, architect and contractor to discuss the progress of a project.
  9. Change Request: A contractor’s request of the owner to compensate for something that needs to be modified on the project.  For instance, the owner may be considering adding a door to a room. This change is made to the design documents and sent to the contractor for pricing. The contractor issues a Change Request for the additional door.
  10. Change Order: A formal change in a project’s scope, often also impacting construction costs and completion dates. In the Change Request example above, when the owner approves the Change Request for the additional door, a Change Order is issued which formally adds the door to the project for the agreed price and (if applicable) a completion date extension.
  11. RFP (Request for Proposal): A document created by a property owner that announces, describes and solicits cost proposals from qualified contractors for a specified project.  It’s common for public entities like schools or other government agencies to issue RFPs.
  12. RFI (Request for Information): A means to clarify ambiguities or fill in gaps in information that appear in the plans or specifications. For example, a concrete subcontractor needs more detail on rebar placement than was shown on the plans, so they submit an RFI to the contractor who either responds to the RFI or forwards it to the architect/engineer for a response.

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