Prevent Construction Delays with Pre-Construction Planning

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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.

Looking to open a new restaurant? Choose a value engineering firm

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The restaurant business is booming and has been for some years now. According to the National Restaurant Association, the industry is projected to garner $997 billion this year. It is also projected that 500,000 new jobs will become available within the industry.

Because the restaurant industry provides a livelihood for both the owner and its employees, many entrepreneurs opt to enter the industry. For entrepreneurs who jump feet first into the restaurant business, it is paramount to have a building that will be functional for the operation while also attracting new customers.

While the restaurant business can generate profits, staying in the black can be difficult when the owner first opens the doors. That’s why having a strict budget is vital. But how do you build an excellent, functional building without offering up a nice chunk of change? Selecting a value engineering firm is a great starting point. As a value engineering firm, our experts at Leon Williams Contractors provides clients with the advice they need to make informed construction decisions without breaking the bank.

Here are a couple of ways our experts can help you and your restaurant construction project.

Aligning with your goals and budget

Seeing eye-to-eye with the client is something we do best. Our experts understand how important it is to stay on budget while also aligning with the overall goals of the project. Part of that process is utilizing alternative material options that provide similar value but at a lower cost. As value engineering experts, we will provide an honest evaluation of the value, quality and life expectancy of every building alternative or solution we recommend.

Protecting your investment

Our experts understand that the construction of a facility requires a significant amount of time, and we want to be respectful of that time. While we are a value engineering firm, we also utilize the design-build project model. With the design team and construction team under the same contract, there is a single point of responsibility. All team members are working toward a common goal, which increases teamwork and results in fewer changes and claims. This helps keep the project on budget and schedule without the need for costly change orders.

If you are ready to get started on your restaurant project, give our Maryville commercial construction experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

Collaborative teamwork helps your church project stay on schedule

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Church construction projects should be a great experience for both the contractor and the project owner. It’s an opportunity to create a space where people will get a chance to worship and congregate weekly. But that experience can be negatively impacted if the project doesn’t stay on schedule. Increased expenses, communication issues and missed deadlines can easily turn a great project into an expensive one that runs over budget.

With that said, choosing an experienced design-build team can help guarantee your project remains on track and on time. There are multiple benefits to choosing a design-build firm for your church construction project. From fewer changes to reduced project delivery time, the design-build method is quickly becoming the preferred delivery method for projects. But the biggest advantage of utilizing a design-build firm for your church construction project is collaborative teamwork.

Collaborative Teamwork

To say completing a construction project is complex would be an understatement. There are many moving parts that ultimately determine whether or not the project stays on budget and on schedule. It takes amazing teamwork to make a project successful. Collaborative teamwork is a direct result of the design-build method. With all teams falling under a single contract, it is vital for all participants to be aligned. With a single point of responsibility, everyone on the design-build team is accountable for the success of the project. This encourages teamwork across the board.

In addition, the decreased amount of changes associated with the design-build method is a direct result of collaborative teamwork. Since the designers are part of the design-build team, the team and the project owner can discuss the project and potential issues before the ground is broken. With decreased changes and team-wide accountability, collaborative teamwork and the design-build model helps church construction projects stay on schedule.

If you are ready to get started on your church construction project, give our Maryville commercial construction experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

3 Reasons to Choose a Design-Build Firm

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The design-build method has quickly grown in popularity over recent years. According to Autodesk, 82% of surveyed construction owners plan to use design-build within the next five years. In the same report, it states, “increased state and local government backing have led to 43 states having full or largely permitted authorization to use the method during public agency projects.”

While the rest of the nation is catching up, the Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams has been utilizing the design-build method for over 30 years. Dedicated to delivering your project on time and on budget, our experts understand the importance and benefits that using this method has for our clients.

Whether it’s the decreased number of changes or the reduced project delivery time, we are committed to using the design-build method to better serve you.

Here are three reasons why you should choose a design-build firm like Leon Williams Contractors.

Reduced Delivery Time

The project delivery schedule is one of the most important aspects for the project owner and the construction company. When a deadline is set, all parties want to stick to that timeline without any problems. When using the design-build method, processes are more streamlined due to the designer and contractor being a single entity. Because of this, teams can work on multiple aspects of the project at a time.

Collaboration

With a design-build firm, all the teams are combined under one-single contract. Because of this, everyone is working toward one single goal. This leads to clearer communication within the team and encourages teamwork while improving the overall quality of the project. With there being a single point of responsibility, everyone is responsible for the totality of the project. In addition, this also allows for easier adjustments to the project because communication is smoother when using the design-build method.

Early Project Involvement

Both reduced delivery time and collaboration are benefits of design-build projects because the method offers the opportunity for early involvement. Our design-build experts believe in getting involved early to ensure we identify any on-site construction issues that could place the budget or schedule at risk. With all teams being a part of the design-build team, we can effectively discuss potential measures to take to ensure the job is completed as smoothly as possible prior to construction.

We are only three months into 2023, so there is still plenty of time to partner with a design-build firm for your latest project. Give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

Use value engineering to maximize your office renovation

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Every business needs a refresher now and then. Whether you are a dentist office or providing IT support, a renovation can spark new life into your company while catching the eyes of new customers looking for the services you provide. Whether it’s a full-scale renovation or just a simple spruce-up, deciding to spend money on a project is a big deal, and you want to select a contractor that will deliver high-quality results.

The Maryville construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors have years of experience working on office renovation projects. Our experts understand the importance of creating the most bang for your buck when it comes to office renovations. While our design-build method provides advantages such as reduced project delivery time and a single point of responsibility, we are also experts in value engineering. This helps us protect your investment and maximize its value.

Construction Decisions

As described by Investopedia, value engineering is “a systematic and organized approach to providing the necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost.” It also “promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives without sacrificing functionality.” Our experts can provide advice and information needed for you to make informed construction decisions that align with your project goals and budget. Oftentimes, project owners would like to include something in their renovation that may make the office more appealing but be detrimental to the overall functionality of the space. Our experts will provide an evaluation while making alternative recommendations that maintain the value of the project while protecting the functionality of the space.

Staying on Budget

Our experts always have your budget in mind when we make recommendations. From the very beginning, our team will compare alternative materials and fixtures that help maintain your budget and makes the construction process more efficient. We’ll provide honest evaluation of the value, quality and life expectancy of every building alternative or solution we recommend. Our goal is to maximize your budget and develop a premier renovation.

As the Maryville commercial construction experts, we are ready to help you stay on budget for your new office renovation. Give us a call at (865) 982-1734.

As the World Turns: Construction Trends to Look for in 2023

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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.

A Year in Review: Accomplishments of 2022

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With the COVID-19 pandemic causing less chaos, 2022 was a time to get back on track for industries across the state. Restrictions in many areas have been lessened, and businesses have had the opportunity to return to a more normal business environment. For the experts of Leon Williams Contractors, that meant we were able to complete several great projects around the region.

Our clients love that we use the design-build method because it offers simple but powerful advantages such as reduced project delivery time, fewer changes, a single point of responsibility and real teamwork. We also protect your investment and maximize its value by using value engineering, which allows us to offer more bang for your buck by providing building alternatives and solutions that help provide quality without breaking the bank.

While we look forward to implementing these methods for projects in 2023, we want to take a look back at some of our successful projects in 2022.

Voodoo Brewing Company – Knoxville, Tenn.

We had the pleasure of working with Knoxville’s first Voodoo Brewing Company brewpub in the latter part of this year. Voodoo Brewing Company is known for bringing their combination of beer, art, food and music to the local community. Our project with Voodoo consisted of a 6,400 square-foot renovation in the heart of Bearden. 

RIO East Church – Maryville, Tenn.

At Leon Williams, church renovations and construction are one of our specialties. We love playing a part in providing a great space for people to gather, learn, and worship. This year, we had the opportunity to work with RIO East Church in Maryville on a 4,600 square-foot renovation. The design-build project included new restrooms, a warming kitchen, classrooms, and a nursery connected to their existing worship spaces.

Morristown City Hall – Morristown, Tenn.

For over 20 years, Leon Williams Contractors have specialized in renovating office buildings. In 2022, that tradition continued with the renovation of the Morristown City Center. This 25,000 square-foot renovation was completed in multiple phases and consisted of new office spaces, conference rooms, lighting and finishes.

Other notable projects in 2022 included:

  • Carson Newman Maples Café
  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville Chick-Fil-A refresh
  • Lincoln Park Baptist Church roof system replacement and interior repairs
  • Kids Central Pediatrics in Maryville
  • Maryville DCS office renovation.

As the clock inches closer to 2023, start planning for your next project by contacting the Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors. Give us a call at (865) 982-1734 or online.

Use value engineering to maximize the budget for your church project

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For nonprofit organizations, sticking to a budget is extremely important. With expenses such as insurance, utilities, labor, and a variety of others fixed within the budget, splurging can quickly become a thing of the past. When it’s time to renovate or add on to your church facility, it’s important to balance the costs with the benefits.

Value engineering helps you find the best processes for the best costs without reducing quality. The method promotes the necessities of a project while leaning on less expensive alternatives without sacrificing the functionality of the space. Value engineering helps protect your investment while maximizing its value.

The experts at Leon Williams Contractors specialize in value engineering and have over three decades of experience working with local churches. Our professionals focus on giving you the advice and information you need to make informed construction decisions that align with your project goals and budget. Our experts provide clients with an honest evaluation of the value, quality and life expectancy of every building alternative or recommended solution.

When it’s time for your next church project, here are a few ways our experts can help maximize your budget.

Provide Resourceful Advice

When it comes to a project, oftentimes what looks great doesn’t help with functionality. Sometimes, larger-than-life features can hinder the efficiency of a building. Our professionals will look at the plan and make recommendations on how to accomplish your key features without being detrimental to the budget and progress of the project.

Recommend Proper Materials

With your budget in mind, our experts will consider different types of materials that could be utilized to better fit your budget. From the outset, we compare alternative materials and fixtures that can make construction easier and more cost-effective while providing the quality that you expect.

Teamwork

At Leon Williams, we work hand-in-hand with the project owner and design team to determine what is best for the project. Early on, the team will go over plans and locate potential problems and pain points so they can be addressed. Overall, this helps minimize costs while saving time on the project.

As the Maryville commercial construction expert, we are prepared to utilize our experience and value engineering expertise to help you get more bang for your buck. If you are ready to get your next church project underway, give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734.

How design-build can help you with your food service project

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The food service industry is constantly changing. Whether it’s to keep up with current trends or to meet a shift in demands, you will likely need to renovate your space. Nothing showcased the ongoing changes in the industry more than the COVID-19 pandemic. During a time when multiple businesses were forced to close their doors, many restaurants pivoted by upgrading their buildings for curbside services.

When it’s time to consider a renovation or a brand-new restaurant project, design-build construction agencies can provide the necessary measures to ensure your project is completed on schedule and within budget. The Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors are design-build professionals while also having 30-plus years of experience in the food service construction industry.

There are multiple ways the design-build model can assist in your restaurant project.

  • Reduced project delivery time: One of the major goals of the design-build model is to reduce the time needed to complete a project. With this method, all stakeholders are involved from the very beginning of the project. This allows the team to be proactive in their planning and leads to fewer changes and claims. Any potential problems can be addressed early in the project to allow for better collaboration. Decisions can be revisited at later stages of the projects without added delays.
  • Accountability: With the design-build model, both the design and construction function come together within a single team. This prevents the need of having contractual obligations for the designers and builders individually. The design-build team is accountable for the entire project. Because of this, there is a single stream of accountability in addition to a streamlined means of communication. If there is a problem with your new patio seating area, you know who to contact.
  • Reliable Teamwork: One of the best aspects of the design-build model is collaboration and teamwork. With the design-build team and owner working collaboratively on the project, everyone is working toward a common goal – finishing the project on time and on budget. If a problem arises, the design-build team must work to solve the problem because the entity as a whole is accountable. This model empowers the team to work in lockstep with one another.

If you are looking for a construction agency to complete your restaurant project, choose our design-build experts at Leon Williams Contractors by calling (865) 982-1734.

Avoid Problems with your Franchise Project by Planning Early

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You wouldn’t start a business without creating a plan first, would you? There could be a myriad of issues that one wouldn’t be ready to handle, which could ultimately fail. The same applies to construction projects. That’s why it is important to have a series of tools in place to help avoid on-site issues. One of those tools is a pre-construction plan.

 In today’s business climate, having a plan is essential to ensure projects stay on track. The Maryville commercial construction experts at Leon Williams Contractors believe in getting involved early when it comes to your franchise project. We begin evaluating the project before the first plan is drawn up to ensure our team and the project owner have all the necessary information.

As East Tennessee’s leader in the design-build method, pre-planning plays a major role in our process. Here are three ways pre-planning can help you avoid problems during your project.

  • Identify on-site construction issues: Our experts evaluate property options for new facilities. but equally as important, we assess and identify on-site construction issues that could place the budget and schedule at risk. By accounting for potential hurdles or obstacles, the pre-planning phase can minimize issues during the construction phase of the project.
  • Develop a feasible project timeline: Creating a schedule is paramount to ensure all key tasks are completed on time. During pre-planning, decision-makers meet to determine a feasible timeline for the project in order to have realistic expectations. This is critical with today’s supply chain issues.  If your general contractor is not furnishing a mapped-out schedule, they likely have not explored the lead times required to complete your project.
  • Clearly defines the budget: To ensure all decision-makers are operating in harmony, an established budget is created during the pre-planning phase. This allows the project owner to know the estimated cost of the whole project.  We put extra effort to spell out what items are included and just as important excluded from the budget. This helps an owner identify other items that may need to be included in the project budget and maintain accountability.

If you are looking for a contractor who will take the necessary steps to keep your project on track, give our experts a call at (865) 982-1734. You can also contact us online.