When it’s time for your latest construction project, it’s important to do your due diligence. Project owners must have a budget in order, an estimated timeframe for when the project needs to be completed and the right contractor to complete the project. When selecting the contractor, one thing that may be overlooked is the delivery method they use for new-build projects.

No matter if it’s a new restaurant, office building or church, the delivery method used by the construction team plays a vital role in the project. There are six methods often used for construction projects:

• Design-Build: The owner establishes a contract with a single firm that handles both the design and construction aspects of a project.
• Design-Bid-Build: This method has the design team and general contractor working directly with the owner under separate contracts.
• Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR): With this method, the construction manager acts as a representative for the owner during the construction and design phases. The construction manager takes on project risks.
• Construction Management Multi-Prime (CMMP): In this delivery method, the owner acts as the general contractor and establishes contracts with the major subcontractors and design teams on the project.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Typically used for government projects, this method allows a private company and a government entity to collaborate on a project.
• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): With this method, everyone involved in the project is on a single contract that is predetermined before the design phase begins.

While all the aforementioned delivery methods have their pros and cons, the design-build method provides the most benefits when it comes to your new build project.

Accountability

One of the biggest benefits project owners receive with the design-build method is a single point of accountability. If there is an issue or question regarding the project, the owner knows who is accountable and who to speak with. Because accountability does fall directly on the design-build team, this ensures everyone is working with intent toward the final project.

Better Teamwork During the Project

With everyone working toward a singular vision, a single contract creates better collective teamwork and collaboration. The designer and contractor work alongside each other to ensure the project owner’s vision is met. With an environment of collaboration, the designer and contractor are able to deliver great results while working together to minimize any pitfalls that may arise during the project. In addition, since the contract is signed before ground is broken, the two teams are able to collaborate and plan ahead to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget – one of the most pivotal aspects of a new build construction project.

Because the team functions under a single contract, there is also continuity throughout the project. Instead of the design team handing the project off to the general contractor after their phase is complete, the entire team is present throughout the project. This creates consistency in communication between the team and the project owner.

While other contractors are just now jumping on board with the design-build model, the Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors have been providing clients with excellent projects using the delivery method for over two decades.

If you want to partner with an experienced design-build contractor, give us a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

If you are looking at opening a business and you need an office or facility built from the ground up, you are not alone. According to Mordor Intelligence, the United States commercial construction market size is estimated at $171.26 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $203.5 billion by 2029.

As with any construction project, the contractor you choose for the project is vital. It can be the difference between having an excellent experience and a shoddy end product. There are several things to consider when choosing a contractor for your new construction project with one of the most important being the delivery method they use.

One of the fastest-growing methods is the design-build method. As explained by the Design-Build Institute of America, when using the design-build method, the project owner manages only one contract with a single point of responsibility. This helps project owners quickly identify the point of contact during the construction and design process.

In addition to a single point of responsibility, there are a few benefits of choosing a design-build firm for your new commercial construction project. Improved teamwork is another fundamental advantage of the design-build method. The designers and contractor must work together from the beginning of the project to ensure the project owner’s schedule and budget needs are being met. This creates more collaboration between teams because they are both working toward the same goal.

There is also an opportunity for reduced project delivery time when choosing a design-build contractor. With both the design and build teams collaborating from the start of the project, there are fewer changes throughout the process. If an issue does develop, both teams work together to solve it since they are under the same contract. With fewer claims and changes, teams can work more efficiently to finish the project within budget and ahead of schedule.

While other contractors are just discovering the benefits of the design-build method, the Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors have been utilizing it for over two decades for new construction projects.

If you want to partner with an experienced design-build contractor, give our team a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

The number of construction projects has continued to rise over the years. According to Statista, spending in construction makes up a significant portion of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). According to Statista insights, private sector construction spending is around 1.429 billion whereas public sector construction spending in the U.S. registers at roughly 364 billion. With the number of construction projects increasing, it’s vital to choose the right contractor for the job. Whether it’s a government office or a retail shopping center, it’s important to partner with a trusted community commercial construction company for your project needs.

Understanding the Community

Construction agencies that are located in your community understand the importance of performing quality work on a project. That office building will be seen by any individual driving through your community. If the work is below par, it could reflect negatively on the community. If their a retail shopping center being constructed, one that is done correctly and with superior quality could encourage people to come and visit your community just to shop at the facility. Outside construction agencies may skip out on the minor details to get the job finished. That is less likely to happen if you hire a trusted construction agency from your community.

Working Together as a Team

When your construction partner is from your community, they can be easily accessible. This makes communication easier. If you have a concern, you can quickly identify who you need to speak with about the problem. In addition, these are individuals who likely live in your community, thus helping improve their understanding of your goals. Whether they go to the same church as you or have kids in the same class as yours, there is a built-in relationship, which can also help with communication.

When it comes to projects in Blount County, Knoxville or East Tennessee, the Maryville commercial construction partners at Leon Williams Contractors are who you should turn to. Our experts have over two decades worth of experience working with community partners on construction projects. Using the design-build method to ensure your project stays on budget and on schedule, we have provided excellent results for our community.

If you are ready to partner with a trusted community construction agency, give us a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

If you have been around commercial construction for an extended period, you may come across the term “value engineering.” If you are an entrepreneur looking to have your office, restaurant or other commercial facility built, you may have even seen it in your contractor research. But what does that term mean?

The textbook definition provided by Investopedia states, “Value engineering is a systematic, organized approach to providing necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost. Value engineering promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives, without sacrificing functionality.” While all of this is true, value engineering is much more.

As the Maryville commercial construction expert, our experts at Leon Williams Contractors specialize in value engineering to ensure our customers get the most bang for their buck. Our value engineering process emphasizes providing the client with advice and information so they can make informed construction and budgetary decisions. We want our clients to make decisions that align directly with their project and budget goals.

When clients approach us, our experts provide an honest evaluation of the value, quality and life expectancy of every building alternative or solution we recommend. As Investopedia’s definition states, we focus on providing alternatives that don’t sacrifice functionality. But with that said, we will also focus on providing alternatives that may improve the look and functionality but are cheaper for the project owner.

Here are a few ways we utilize value engineering to better serve our clients’ needs:

• Provide economical quality by altering the project finishes and fixtures based on client requirements.
• Add features that can eliminate pain points within the project.
• Compare a diverse set of affordable structure types and materials to assist with the construction of the project.
• Remove unnecessary features that could be detrimental to the usability or functionality of the project or that add unneeded costs with little to no benefit.

If you are ready to partner with a value engineering contractor for your 2024 projects, give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

When it comes to government projects, there is a strict process that has to be followed on both sides. From the construction of a new government building to a road project, the agency typically solicits bids for the completion of the project. In many cases, the agency chooses the lowest “responsible” bidder, so it does help when a contractor can deliver excellent value and results without blowing the price tag out of the water.

One technique that is often used to accomplish this goal is value engineering. As defined by Investopedia, value engineering is “the review of new or existing products during the design phase to reduce costs and increase functionality to increase the value of the product. The value of an item is defined as the most cost-effective way of producing an item without taking away from its purpose.”

As your Maryville commercial construction, we have dedicated ourselves to utilizing value engineering to provide our clients with great value and excellent results with the potential for a lower price tag. As previously mentioned, one of the ways we provide better value is by exploring material alternatives for all our projects, including government ventures.

In many cases, project owners or designers specify products or systems that have been marketed to them. Ultimately, there may be other similar products that they are not aware of, and our experts will be sure to identify those when bidding on projects. Our specialists provide an honest evaluation of the value, quality and life expectancy of every building alternative or solution we recommend. Normally, these building alternatives are cheaper than the premium products requested while still providing the look project owners are looking for.

Our experts at Leon Williams Contractors are ready to partner with government entities on their projects. Give us a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.