How design-build can prevent construction delays

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Delays can be a hassle in everyday life. You could be on your way to work when traffic causes you to run behind. You may have to wait on your food longer than expected at a restaurant. An unexpected flat tire could create downtime on a road trip. But when it comes to construction, delays can be costly and prevent you from reaching your target open date.

For the experts at Leon Williams Contractors, it is our goal to keep your project on track by reducing delays in the field. As the Maryville commercial construction expert, we utilize the design-build project delivery method to ensure you don’t spend more money because of delays.

The Design-Build Institute of America describes design-build as “where one entity, the design-builder, enters into a single contract with the owner to provide both design and construction services.” With this method, the roles of the designer and constructor are integrated to ensure one entity drives one unified workflow from initial concept through completion. This creates a collaborative team effort between the design-build team and the owner while placing responsibility for coordinating all project elements on the design-build team.

Here are some ways design-build can prevent construction delays on your project.

Accountability

As mentioned, the sole purpose of the design-build method is to have the design and construction services integrated, which places the responsibility solely on the design-build team. This typically results in fewer change orders and disputes because all the work is performed under the same umbrella. Project leaders on the design-build team can hold individuals accountable for their portion of the project and reduce the number of errors that could ultimately cause delays. In addition, the owner knows who to approach in the event of an error or change.

Enhanced Teamwork

With the team being united from the onset of the project, they are aware of what the project entails. This makes it easier for team members to remain on the same page and stick to the agreed-on schedule. Communication is a major component of a project. The design-build method empowers team members to create a collaborative atmosphere with everyone working together to complete a project faster and more effectively as compared to traditional delivery methods.

Simplicity

The design-build method simplifies the building process thanks to collaborative teamwork. Not only does this reduce delivery time, but it also results in fewer delays, lower costs, and less paperwork. All of this contributes to a much timelier completion date.

 If you are interested in learning how our design-build services can reduce delays, or if you are ready to start your next project, give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734. You can also contact us online.

Need a new look? Value engineering can provide your restaurant with a facelift

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Nothing lasts forever. There is always a need for change. While your current building design has landed you success, a facelift can give your restaurant a fresh look and feel while also accommodating for changes in customer demand and industry changes. If the pandemic taught us anything it’s that time can change in an instant and making the necessary pivots can help you increase revenue. Just ask those that added areas for curbside delivery areas during the pandemic.

Of course, renovating your restaurant isn’t a free venture. It can cost a substantial amount of money. Business owners want to be smart with their money, and value engineering can provide a perfect avenue to help owners produce the restaurant facelift they desire.

The purpose of value engineering is to find the best processes for the best costs without decreasing quality. So, you need a contractor that not only understands but has years of experience in value engineering. The Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors have decades’ worth of experience saving people money without risking quality.

There are multiple areas that our contractors specialize in that can help your restaurant renovation project.

Materials and Fixtures

Our experts will look at the different types of materials to make sure they maximize your budget. We compare different materials to make construction quicker and more affordable. For example, there are different alternatives to flooring and lighting fixtures that are more cost-effective yet still provide the same level of quality as the more expensive options.

Sound Advice

Business owners usually have a vision of what they want their renovation to look like. While this is great, sometimes it can include some unnecessary and sometimes detrimental features that could hinder progress or make the building less efficient. Our experts will make recommendations on planned features that could limit usability or add unnecessary costs to the project.

Group Decisions

One of the best perks of value engineering with Leon Williams Contractors is that we tackle things as a group. This makes it easier to locate potential pain points and address them accordingly. For example, if we notice a potential budget-increasing feature, it can be addressed early on and added to the budget.

If you’re ready to get started on your restaurant’s new look, give value engineering a try with Leon Williams Contractors. Not only will you be hiring a contractor with over 30-plus years of experience, but you will also be committing to a high-quality project while spending less money. When you’re ready to give value engineering a try, give us a call at (865) 982-1734.

Consider Design-Build Construction Services for Your Next Project

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Why should you consider design-build construction services for your next project? Design-build construction allows you to work with one contact during the span of your construction project, giving you the opportunity to save time and money while seeing the results you envisioned. From start to finish, your project will have a single point of responsibility.

Maryville construction firm, Leon Williams Contractors, has decades of experience in design-build services, and our process begins well before we break ground on projects. In the pre-construction phase of your project, we’ll find and evaluate potential sites and check for any possible issues that may arise. From there, we move forward with your project step-by-step in a team effort to accomplish building your finished design.

Real Teamwork

You have a vision of what you want to build, and Leon Williams Contractors is ready to work with you to build it. Communication is a huge component in making sure everyone is on the same page so delays can be prevented and the project can remain on schedule. It takes real teamwork to successfully complete a construction project, and the level of communication created by a design-build construction firm encourages a collaborative atmosphere for everyone involved.

Reduced Project Delivery Time

Would you prefer your construction project be finished on time? Of course! Choosing a design-build firm for your construction project will save you time. Because design-build construction simplifies the building process, there are likely to be fewer changes and delays during your project. The benefits of improved project communication will advance your timeline toward an on-time completion date.

More Value for Less Cost

We at Leon Williams Contractors take the necessary steps to make sure clients receive the most value for their budget while maintaining less cost. With our design-build construction services, you can achieve your goals of balancing the cost and value of your project. Our professionals know the ins and out of construction, and after 30 years, we’re especially familiar with managing construction expenses without sacrificing quality products and project design. 

If you’re looking for an experienced Maryville construction firm dedicated to building quality spaces, Leon Williams Contractors is ready to answer your questions. Contact us today online or call (865) 982-1734 to learn more about your design-build construction options.

The Basics of Build-outs

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If your retail location or restaurant is looking for a home, Leon Williams Contractors, your Maryville construction experts, can help with build-out needs.

Early Involvement

A build-out of an existing commercial space can be as simple as some light renovation or a refresh or as complex as a total gutting of the old space and refurbishment with new lighting, plumbing, interior walls, furnishings and HVAC.

Even though a build-out might not be as intensive as the construction of an entirely new building, the process should still be approached with great care, because there are plenty of problems and headaches that can occur.

A key to success is partnering with a proactive contractor like Leon Williams. Problems that could affect the project’s budget and schedule need to be found before they occur. Cost overruns and noncompliance with local codes can hurt projects large and small, so having a licensed contractor that listens to the client is essential when considering a buildout.

Staying on time and on budget is vital. If a contractor can’t stick to the timeline, it can hurt your business. At Leon Williams, we respect your time and are committed to meeting all deadlines to make sure your business opens on time.

You can depend on Leon Williams. Our experienced team has helped create quality locations for franchises all over East Tennessee area. We’ve worked with businesses ranging from Benchmark Therapy to Which Wich and more. Check out all our recent projects online.

We Can Help

Leon Williams has been doing buildouts for decades in East Tennessee and has experience with site evaluations, project goals, budgets and project life expectancies. If a build-out is what’s needed, we’re the right choice. Contact us online or give us a call at (865) 982-1734 to learn more.

Building Contractor Listening to Homeowners in Maryville Tennessee

You Need a General Contractor Who Will Listen

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Is your contractor really listening to you? It’s an important question to ask. Sometimes, the answer is no. When that’s the case, an owner can face a long list of potential problems that could result in lost time and lost dollars. 

Building Contractor Listening to Homeowners in Maryville TennesseeFirst off, owners need to be mindful of who they’re working with. Hiring an unlicensed contractor without insurance is never a good idea. Before breaking ground on any project, have a long talk with the contractor and make sure they have the experience and credentials to handle the job. If they don’t want to have this conversation, then they don’t need to be hired.  

Site Design Is Essential 

Another critical issue is site design. The way a building sits on a piece of property will oftentimes determine the success or failure of a building, regardless of its use. A good design-build contractor should know how to take full advantage of a site and increase the structure’s performance, whether it’s a church, office, or a drive-through burger restaurant. If an owner asks about site design and the contractor isn’t listening, there’s a good chance they are not up for the job.  Building expansion and traffic flows should be forecast to ensure the positioning allows for future needs. 

Prevent Problems Before They Start 

Finally, a common issue, and perhaps the most common issue, is cost overruns. If not properly managed, costs can soar and the project run longer than needed. Throughout the lifespan of a project, from site design to the final punch list, a design-build contractor should listen to the owner, respond to their concerns, and solve problems before they occur.  Many times, an owner may not be able to interpret plans and envision a finished product like the contractor can.  It is critical to explain what they can expect before it is installed to ensure they will be pleased. 

If you are looking for a contractor that knows how to do just that, call Leon Williams Contractors, an experienced Maryville construction company, with more than three decades building for clients in East Tennessee. Check us out online or give us a call at (865) 982-1734 to learn more. 

Leon Williams Contractors Completes 2018 UT-Chattanooga Construction and Renovation Projects

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Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial design-build firm added new spaces to UTC’s West Campus Housing building and renovated Crossroads Dining Hall in 2018

 MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Aug. 24, 2018 – Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial design-build firm, has completed two major projects at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga that will have positive impact on students and faculty starting in the fall 2018 semester.

The company built three new dining options – Einstein Bros.® Bagels, Dippers southern fried and grilled chicken and a Provisions on Demand (P.O.D.) quick-serve store –  as part of the new flagship West Campus Housing building and completed a full renovation of Crossroads Dining Hall, UTC’s main student dining facility.

“These two locations are central to the UTC campus, so it’s essential that students and faculty have positive experiences there,” said Tyler Forrest, associate vice chancellor for budget and finance at the university. “We also want these facilities to present the university’s commitment to quality and excellence, which is something we share with Leon Williams Contractors.”

The three new West Campus Housing dining concepts account for 6,500 square feet of the 231,000-square-foot West Campus Housing building. Renovation of the 13,000-square-foot Crossroads Dining Hall included replacing all the furniture, food stations and fixtures, adding a Mongolian grill concept and sushi machine, and installing a new state of the art kitchen exhaust system to reduce cooking smoke and smells outside the building.

“These are two very different projects, but what they have in common is that they’re presenting a range of new opportunities for students at UTC,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “West Campus Housing was essentially a project within a project – we had to work closely with the building contractor to coordinate our work inside their construction site.  Crossroads Dining Hall was similar in that there were two other extensive construction projects occurring on the floors above the space at the same time.”

The West Campus Housing project and the Crossroads Dining Hall renovation were the 13th and 14th projects completed by Leon Williams Contractors at UTC. The projects took place between February and early August. UTC’s fall semester started Aug. 20.

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call 865-982-1734.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
hripley@ripleypr.com

New Construction Update 321 Plaza West Maryville, Tennessee

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Recently, the Leon Williams Contractors, LLCteam recently completed work on a new office space location at the 321 Plaza in Maryville, Tennessee.

The Location:

Located at 1776 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville, Leon Williams Contractors, LLC worked with Andes Group Tennessee to create a new office and retail space in Blount County.

The Specifications:

An addition of 2,736 square feet was constructed by the team at Leon Williams Contractors, LLC. The client request was to match the previous part of the structure seamlessly with the new addition, as well as updating the façade of the existing building. The existing building was matched to comply with city ordinances and setbacks that required the matching to existing parameters.

The Results:

In an interview with the Daily Times, Hal Brown, a representative of Andes Group Tennessee, remarked that “The new building requirements would not allow us to build anything even closely resembling what was already there. It was a challenge to put an addition on an old building and make it look like it was one building, built all together, and I think we achieved that.”

In regards to working with Leon Williams Contractors, Mr. Brown stated “I know this is probably a small project for them, just a blip on the map of what they can do, but even so they put your concerns and your project at the forefront. They made me feel like this was the only project they had and that all their assets were just direct toward my project. You would have thought I was building a mall, or the Taj Mahal.”

Leon Williams, LLC has worked with clients on a wide range of retail and commercial construction projects, including banks, medical facilities, commercial offices, residential projects, restaurants,and retail locations. To learn more about the advantages that Leon Williams Contractors, LLC can offer your retail or commercial construction project, please contact us todayto learn how we can assist you to drive greater value for your retail and commercial construction needs.