Maximize your office space’s functionality with value engineering
Do you wonder if your office will be adequate for your evolving business? Is the space too dark or too bright? Are there a lot of hot or cold spots? If you answer yes to any of these scenarios or if you are designing an office where you want to avoid these issues, a contractor who practices value engineering might be able to help.
Design Through a Value Engineering Lens
According to 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 lifecycle cost.”
As the above definition reflects, the overall goal of any project guided by value engineering is to improve the performance, quality and functionality of your business space. This generally corresponds with efforts to make fiscally responsible choices in its design.
However, if your contractor adheres to the principles of value engineering, your end result should also provide a highly usable space without an oversized price tag. These contractors are on a mission to impart value into your project by both making thoughtful choices, not only on the most affordable, high-quality materials, but also by optimizing the office layout to take advantage of natural light, airflow and optimal occupancy.
Key Benefits of Value Engineering
Value engineering isn’t entirely about cost-cutting because its ultimate goal is to uncover and maximize opportunities for long-term use. This means not only maintaining value over time but continuing to provide flexibility for your organization to grow and evolve. Let’s look at the individual project goals of a value engineering contractor.
- Consider the whole instead of the individual parts: Contractors who specialize in value engineering look at the project as a whole. Instead of only considering the immediate task at hand, they will closely examine all elements of the building, including architecture, HVAC, electrical system, plumbing, construction material and structural components.
- Focus on building’s primary purpose: A value engineering approach to construction or renovation always holds the building’s primary function at the forefront of decisions. Whether your organization is going to use the space as an office, a restaurant or a worship center, they will address the crucial elements needed for the space to function well.
- Improve building performance: This goal aims to enhance results for your project. Those enhancements might include better energy efficiency, a more comfortable environment, enhanced durability and improved safety.
- Reduce long-term costs: Savings shouldn’t only be considered for the immediate build or renovation. Value engineering considers the total cost of owning and maintaining the building for its lifespan. A few ways these costs might be reduced is by making smart decisions for design, materials and selected systems. They should provide up-front value and prove affordable to operate and maintain over time.
Doing your homework to find the right contractor for your job, one who can implement these tactics for your project is worth the time spent. If you’re in East Tennessee, the Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors specialize in value engineering and embrace this approach to construction. We strive to provide our customers with the best project to fit their goals and budget. If you’re ready to partner with a trusted, local contractor for your 2025 projects, give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.