Naturally, construction project owners are extremely passionate about their upcoming projects. Whether it’s a lifelong dream of building your own office space or renovating a longstanding restaurant, project owners have dreamed of what the product may look like in the end. Sometimes, those dream buildings come with an expensive price tag and unnecessary items.

While some contractors may look at this as an opportunity to get a few extra dollars in their own pocket, those who use value engineering practices aim to get you the most bang for your buck while also maximizing the functionality of the space. By doing this, value engineering contractors are protecting your investment while simultaneously increasing its value.

Unnecessary Add-Ons

As stated by the U.S. General Services Administration, “Value engineering analyzes designed building features, systems, equipment and material selections to achieve essential functions and enhance results while reducing the life-cycle cost.” It’s during this process that value engineering contractors can pinpoint unnecessary features and materials that increase the project’s price tag without adding real value to the building. While flashy fixtures and finishes may look nice, there are likely alternatives that look just as good at a fraction of the cost. It’s your contractor’s job to make you aware of these alternatives.

Improved Functionality

The other benefit of value engineering is improved functionality. Value engineering contractors aim to maximize functionality by achieving the essential functions of the building at the lowest cost without sacrificing quality. This can include exploring various design concepts at the onset of the project that still provide you with the building of your dreams with a reduced price tag.

Your Value Engineering Contractor

At Leon Williams Contractors, we provide you with the advice and information you need to make informed construction decisions that both align with your project goals and budget. Whether it’s an honest evaluation of the value of your building or the life expectancy of building alternatives, we make sure you know what to expect.

If you are ready to partner with the Maryville commercial construction and value engineering experts at Leon Williams Contractors, give us a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

As with many things in life, money plays a major role when it comes to commercial construction. How big your budget is can determine how big the building is, what features can be included, the type of materials that are used, and much more. Making your dream a reality can be an extensive process.

According to Home Guide, commercial construction costs on average $240 to $870 per square foot depending on a variety of factors such as location and building type. The national average cost is $560 per square foot with commercial costs in the south ranging between $240 to $680 per square foot.

This is why it’s important that your expectations and budget go hand-in-hand with each other. Of course, this is also why it’s vital to consider partnering with a firm that specializes in value engineering, like Leon Williams Contractors. Our firm can help you get more bang for your buck using a couple of key strategies.

• Recommending Building Alternatives: In many cases, there are certain materials project owners want to use because of their perceived value. In reality, these can be replaced with alternatives that function better for the space or look just as good as the original option but at a lower price. Our experts at Leon Williams Contractors will provide you with an honest evaluation of the value, quality of life and life expectancy of every building alternative or solution we recommend to ensure it aligns with your expectations.
•  Exploring Impacts on Cost: Reducing the overall cost of the project using building alternatives that align with your project vision is one of our goals. With that said, we also explore the costs of those alternatives and their impact on the overall quality and timeline of the project. In this regard, our experts give our partners advice and information they need to make informed construction decisions that will ultimately align with their project goals, budget and timeline.

If you are looking for a contractor who can save you a little money while helping make your dream project become a reality, give our Maryville commercial construction experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

When it comes to construction, there are approximately six different delivery methods: design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager at risk, construction management multi-prime, public-private partnership and integrated project delivery. Choosing the right project delivery method for your project is a critical step and will set the tone for the project overall. With that said, the design-build method, which is utilized by our experts at Leon Williams Contractors, has been growing in popularity over the years.

According to the Design-Build Institute of America, design-build spending is anticipated to yield a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% over the 2022-20226 forecast period and reach over $405 billion in 2026. There are several reasons why this delivery method has become more common and why more construction companies are turning to it.

Complete Teamwork

When it comes to the design-build method, both the design-build team and the project owner work together to accomplish a common goal. These teams are established early in the project, and their jobs are intertwined throughout the project. When a problem occurs, the design-build team is solely responsible for correcting the issue. This encourages everyone on the team to collaborate and make sure the project runs smoothly.

Fewer changes and claims

Since the team is working hand-in-hand with each other, it lowers the number of changes during the project. Remember, there is a single point of responsibility with the design-build method. This means each individual person strives to work as a team to deliver an excellent completed project. Since the designers and contractors collaborate from the beginning, there are fewer changes that need to be made. This makes it advantageous for contractors.

Those are just two reasons why the design-build delivery method has become popular. As your Maryville commercial construction leaders, our experts have been using the design-build method for years. If you are looking for a trusted design-build partner for your next project, give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

No one wakes up in the morning hoping for delays in their morning commute. When delays happen during a construction project, it could be detrimental to the project timeline and budget. According to a report in Daily Commercial News, “the most important thing for preventing and mitigating delays on a construction project is planning. The number one thing that causes delays is poor planning and poor management of projects.”

It is extremely important to identify potential risks early in a project. That includes any unforeseen site conditions. By being prepared for a potential problem, you are ensuring that the little issues don’t turn into big ones that could put the project timeline in jeopardy. Preplanning helps alleviate these concerns by keeping the team on track if an issue does arise.

There are a couple of ways preplanning can help keep your project on time:

• Creates a clear timeline: Having a clear pathway to completion is a great way to ensure your project stays on track. As mentioned before, poor planning can result in unnecessary delays. Before starting on a project, meeting with the design-build team and the project owner to set a timeline, finalize blueprints and set up a standard of communication will reduce setbacks. It is also important to analyze and develop a plan for any potential roadblocks or unforeseen issues.
• Establish Communications: Communication is key to any construction project. Emphasizing this early in the project sets the expectation that the team should be in constant communication with each other. Communication helps everyone deliver actionable steps throughout the project. If communication is clear and constant, this increases teamwork and reduces the chance of delays.

As the Maryville commercial construction experts, pre-construction planning and site assessment are two of our main priorities. At Leon Williams Contractors, our team of professionals believes in getting involved early. This helps our team assess and identify on-site construction issues that could place the budget and schedule at risk, find and evaluate property options for your new facility and negotiate with property owners.

If you are ready to partner with a contractor who stays prepared by utilizing preplanning, give our commercial construction experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

When the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31, we said goodbye to 2022 and welcomed in the new year. With a new year comes new challenges and goals for both individuals and companies. While there will be some changes within the construction industry, many of the same concerns and trends will carry over into this year. From labor shortages to material costs, those looking to begin projects will be forced to take these issues into account when selecting a contractor.

As your Maryville commercial construction leader, our experts at Leon Williams Contractors have the tools to help you when planning your 2023 project. Here are a few construction trends you will see this year.

Increased Focus on Pre-Planning

Similar to 2022, the labor shortage continues to be an ongoing issue in several industries across the nation. According to a report from Bisnow, there are roughly 25% more unfilled construction positions than hires. Almost every stat about the labor force in construction shows a shortage of construction laborers. With construction companies scrambling to find skilled laborers, it will be important to partner with an agency that focuses on pre-construction planning to ensure your project stays on schedule. Our experts get involved early to prepare for any issues that may occur on a project. Before the first plan is drawn up, we can help find and evaluate property options for your project, negotiate with property owners, and identify on-site construction issues that could place the budget and schedule at risk.

Overbudgeting and Material Cost Concerns

On a national scale, material costs have taken a positive turn. While prices remain high, there is a downward trend in the pricing of certain materials. But supply chain issues are still affecting the availability of critical materials. This is raising concerns about going over budget for construction companies and clients alike. For the experts at Leon Williams Contractors, our value engineering model can help offset some of those costs. Emphasizing the importance of protecting your investment and maximizing its value, our experts give you advice and information on alternative solutions that will align with your project goals and budget.

Emphasis on Energy-Efficient Buildings

With each passing year, energy conservation is becoming an area of focus for project owners. It is projected that by 2025, nearly 60% of all new buildings could be labeled net-zero ready. When it comes to searching for energy-efficient fixtures, our experts can make recommendations on materials that can meet your goals while maximizing your project’s value. In addition to our value engineering methodology, our design-build model will allow us to streamline communication between all invested parties to develop a plan to meet your project goals.

With 2023 underway, choose a design-build firm that can help get your year and project kicked off right. Contact the experts at Leon Williams Contractors at (865) 982-1734 or reach us online.