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Author: Mike O'Cana

1. Focus on Energy Efficiency

Once the construction is complete, the concept of sustainability doesn’t just stop. Using more energy-efficient materials can help offset some of the environmental impact of the building process. Those involved in the project can also determine ways to build and plan energy efficiently, reducing the project’s overall impact.

2. Using Sustainable and durable Building Materials

If you know you want your project to focus on design for sustainability specifically, design-build projects are excellent ways to ensure all parties are on board with sustainable building materials. Some examples include:

  • Carbon-sequestering materials
  • Sustainably sourced aggregates
  • Approved timber
  • Natural fiber-reinforced concrete

The interest in sustainable building has also made these products more readily available and affordable, so it’s becoming much more accessible to incorporate them into a design-build project.

Durability is equally crucial for sustainability. The more durable a build is, the less maintenance or rebuilding is required, automatically lowering the project’s overall carbon footprint. It also makes the project much more cost-effective — an all-around bonus for everyone involved.

3. Incorporating Sustainable Design Elements

“Green design” involves including design elements that reduce the environmental impact of a project. A good example of this is outlined by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), which helps guide contractors and architects through all the ways they can stay sustainable with their designs.

While BREEAM details many expected sustainability requirements, it gets granular enough to focus on everything in a project, from waste reduction to social equity. This makes it an excellent litmus test for those who want to take sustainability seriously in every sense of the word.

4. Ensuring Water Conservation

Construction also requires a lot of water consumption. This used to be hard to work around. However, projects can minimize their water usage through new processes that focus on water conservation.

Even tried and true methods like monitoring and reporting water usage to audit and improve processes are viable, especially in a design-build project where all moving parts consistently work together toward completion.

5. Consistent Communication

Design-build projects are much easier to make sustainable because of how the planning and implementing stages work. Because every part of the construction is contained within one entity, there’s no confusion about the project’s goals.

If sustainability is one of your primary goals, sustainability in design is considered in every facet of your project. Not only that, but it’s easier to create checks and balances to ensure that communication about these sustainable practices is being upheld across the board.

Start Your Sustainable Project Today

The Hammers Construction process emphasizes the need for and importance of sustainable design strategies, and we’re ready to help you with yours. Contact our team today for your free cost estimate or to learn more about how we keep commercial construction sustainable.

The construction sector is quickly warming up to going with the design-build method for projects. But what is it about design-build that makes it so appealing? Here are a few reasons this is one of the fastest-growing construction methods.

What Is Design-Build Construction?

A design-build approach involves only one entity working with a client on every aspect of the construction project. Everything from design to planning to execution is completed by one team working and communicating to ensure every element is considered and cohesive.

Design-build construction has technically been a method for decades, but it’s only somewhat recently become the go-to option. Many projects would have separate entities working together to complete the project. While this method has its benefits, the design-build tends to work better in most situations.

Improved Communication

Communication is crucial to the success of any project. Unfortunately, wires often get crossed during other project delivery methods. The appeal of design-build construction is that there’s no opportunity for miscommunication. The builders won’t ever be waiting on details from designers, and neither will you. It’s an exceedingly good way to keep everyone on the same page and the project moving steadily.

Faster Completion Times

Staying on pace is the only benefit of design-build construction. This method also makes everything faster. Because you aren’t waiting for individual elements to arrive or concepts to be approved, everyone finishes faster. The concept of time being money couldn’t be more true for construction projects, so any way you can move things along will also save on your bottom line.

Client Involvement

If you’ve ever wanted more oversight in a project, then the design-build route is for you. It’s an excellent way to ensure all your goals are being met. In fact, design-build construction contractors expect and invite client involvement, seeing it as a valuable part of the process.

However, they don’t necessarily need it, so you can involve yourself as much or as little as you like. It’s a major reason why this is one of the construction trends growing so fast. It gives the client more control over the end result while keeping them in the loop for decision-making and addressing any changes.

Greater Accountability

The unfortunate reality of projects is that something could go awry. Be it with budgeting or procuring building materials, there’s always a chance that something may slip through the cracks, costing you precious time and making everything more expensive.

While design-build methods don’t negate the chances of issues arising, they certainly make resolving them simpler. If the client is unhappy at any point in the process or would prefer to move the project in another direction, there’s no finger-pointing. The entity working on the build takes full responsibility and determines a solution for a better outcome.

Grow Together With Hammers Construction

Hammers Construction has been ahead of the game regarding design-build construction projects, and we’re continuing to show our clients how much easier and more efficient commercial construction can be with our methods. Contact us today if you’re interested in design-build construction and want to learn more

Colorado has seen record growth in new businesses, with 175,650 new business filings in 2022. How many of those businesses are going to see long-term success? Building and growing your business requires the right workspace for your employees. Design-build solutions let you work with your commercial construction contractor to make that a reality.

Planning Workspaces That Truly Meet Your Needs

Many of the benefits of working with a design-build firm come from meticulous planning at the start of the process. You’re working with the same team that will carry out every step of construction, so planning can be as detailed and accurate as possible.

Laying out a plan for a commercial property isn’t easy. You need to translate your needs into practical solutions. That’s where working with an experienced design-build contractor provides a unique advantage. They have the necessary skills and knowledge to take your business activities and determine the appropriate square footage, layout, and other details.

Think about how your employees will actually work once the property is ready and how the layout can boost efficiency and remove barriers. By working closely with your design-build company, you can ensure that these detailed site plans and floor plans are handled properly. Getting this planning right today will help boost productivity for years to come.

Realizing Your Vision With Design-Build

With the plan prepared, there’s still a long way to go. Design-build solutions ensure the remaining steps are executed properly and retain the original vision in the final results. Preparing the site and getting the right permits are essential steps that ensure your workspace comes together as envisioned.

The same team that prepared the construction plans and structural design will now carry out the construction. This ensures that the project follows all plans accurately. If something unexpected occurs, you’re still dealing with the team that developed the plans in the first place and can work to find the best solution for your future workspace.

Focusing on the Long-Term

To be successful, you expect your building to be around for years to come. Quality planning and construction right from the start with design-build solutions will give you the foundation for that success.

You need to know that your site will accommodate work activities for years. Careful site planning, stormwater management plans, post-construction support, and other key services you’ll get from a design-build contractor help maintain your property in the long term.

If your workspace develops structural or maintenance issues, you could find yourself dealing with a long-term liability. Instead, go with design-build solutions to create the unique workspace your business needs to thrive in the future.

Getting Started on Your Design-Build Commercial Construction Project

No matter what type of facilities you need, the team at Hammers Construction can put design-build solutions to work to deliver amazing results. Our team will work closely with you to develop a vision for your commercial property and implement expert construction to realize it. Reach out today to get started on a custom quote for the best in commercial workspaces.

Commercial construction in Colorado accounts for $7 billion every year, with countless projects undertaken at any given time. However, not all of those projects are made equal. One method provides better results, a smoother experience, and a solution tailored to your needs. Here’s what you need to know about design-build construction.

What Is Design-Build Construction?

Design-build construction is an approach to commercial construction projects that aggregates every step of the process under one company. This prevents the need for multiple contractors and greatly simplifies the process for business owners. You can get more accurate estimates and ensure the project stays on schedule.

Instead of working with separate contractors each step of the way, you’ll commission just one construction company for the entire project. This eliminates much of the leg work in getting your project running. Instead of tracking down, vetting, and getting quotes and estimates from countless contractors, you’re only tendering one contract.

This also eliminates the need for coordinating activities among multiple contractors. Getting these separate organizations to work together effectively is more challenging than it sounds. Design-build construction ensures that all communications are handled properly and details don’t get overlooked.

Why Should You Choose Design-Build Construction Companies?

There are many reasons why business owners go with design-build construction. The ability to collaborate effectively with their contractor is one of the most important. Design-build construction can provide improved communication and control over projects through streamlined collaboration.

In design-build construction, you have a single point of contact with your design-build contractor. You don’t have to track down who is responsible for what when you need to ask questions, make changes, or check up on your project. Instead, you leave that task to your contractor.

The clarity in this collaboration helps avoid miscommunication and other mistakes. The one-on-one dynamic makes things much easier and clearer. Two’s company, but three’s a crowd when it comes to hammering out the details of your project to bring your expected results to life.

The Design-Build Construction Process

Going with design-build construction means that a single team handles every step of your project. That includes pre-construction planning, construction plans, and design. This then moves smoothly into engineering and structural design, fleshing out plans and adding detail.

The same contractor handles entitlements and permitting, ensuring that your project is fully covered and that permits accurately reflect planned work. Quality control and safety oversight continue throughout the entire process.

The same company that developed your plans then put them into action with solid construction management. You can expect fewer delays when everyone has access to the plans and details they need with everything under one roof. Finally, your post-construction support is also handled by the same commercial construction company.

Putting Design-Build Construction to Work for You in Colorado

The experienced team at Hammers Construction has the skilled personnel, modern equipment, and practical knowledge to tackle every step of your commercial construction project. Handle your entire project under one roof and reach out for your design-build construction quote today.

At first glance, the terms “stormwater management plan” (SWMP) and “stormwater pollution prevention plan” (SWPPP) might seem similar. However, they refer to two distinct types of planning, both of which are important to ensuring that your business meets all environmental requirements in Colorado. Knowing the difference can help you maintain compliance and protect the earth’s water resources.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

A SWPPP is typically related to industrial and construction activities rather than managing runoff around most types of properties and businesses. In Colorado, this type of assessment is often required for projects under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Department of Transportation, which issues MS4 permits.

The document focuses on how to prevent water pollution at a specific site, avoiding stormwater runoff contaminating nearby water bodies. The plan must identify potential sources of pollution onsite and lay out measures for how to prevent pollution from occurring in runoff scenarios.

A stormwater pollution prevention plan is usually a short-term document that seeks to implement ways to prevent pollution during an individual project or until more solid measures can be put in place. These plans are vital to stormwater pollution prevention during the construction phase. During that period, runoff conditions can vary widely, and a variety of harmful pollutants and sediments may be lying around.

Some measures that might be put in place in accordance with a SWPPP include temporary silt fences and sediment basins. Keeping specific vehicles away from certain areas liable to sediment disruption is also important, and vehicle tracking may be put in place to enforce the SWPPP.

Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)

If you have an existing property that isn’t undergoing a construction project, you’re much more likely to require a SWMP than a SWPPP. A stormwater management plan is a long-term strategy to address stormwater on a permanent basis. It manages the quantity and quality of runoff through a variety of measures.

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment requires a SWMP to achieve certification under the Colorado Discharge Permit System. Your business may require one of several different types of permits, depending on its size and the population of the surrounding municipality.

An SWMP can include several measures to manage runoff. Forebays, channels, extended detention basins, erosion control, and more are all important parts of stormwater management. There’s also a need to monitor and report to ensure that your plan is delivering the desired results.

Implementing a successful SWMP means undergoing significant design consideration. The physical layout of your property and surrounding land, local watercourses, and other factors will all affect the specific solution you need to maintain compliance and prevent complications due to stormwater runoff.

Hammers Construction Is Here for All of Your Stormwater Planning Needs

No matter what type of project you’re taking on or what property you’re responsible for, Hammers Construction can provide the SWMP and SWPPP services you need to achieve and maintain compliance.

We’ll carefully evaluate your needs, develop a thorough plan, and implement the appropriate preventive and corrective measures to meet regulatory requirements. Reach out today to find out more.

Stormwater management is an important consideration for any property. Colorado business owners have a variety of practical requirements to meet to prevent flooding and other issues. They must also comply with the environmental and regulatory standards set by the state. Here’s what you need to know about stormwater management as 2024 approaches.

New Stormwater Management Solutions

One important thing to note is that stormwater management solutions are by no means static. They continue to evolve over time, and a variety of new methods and technologies are always becoming available. Even if your stormwater management plan was built in accordance with the best practices of years past, it could stand for some improvement today.

New solutions for monitoring make gathering comprehensive data on your water runoff and other criteria much more straightforward. This in turn helps ensure accurate and timely reporting, which is vital to maintaining regulatory compliance in Colorado.

Keeping Up With Regulatory Changes

Colorado has a variety of stormwater management regulations in place for different types of properties and businesses. You could be affected by a number of statutes, depending on the nature, size, and location of your business. Ensuring that your stormwater management system is in line with these requirements is essential for avoiding fines and other penalties.

One of the biggest challenges for business owners is that these regulations are always changing. Colorado introduces new requirements regularly, and your current system may or may not meet them. You need to stay up to date with the latest stormwater best management practices to ensure that your business doesn’t fall behind.

The Industrial General Permit for Non-Extractive Industries is one prime example of expected changes for 2024. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment is currently in the process of making changes to this permit, having recently wrapped up the public comment period. The new permit infrastructure is expected to come into effect on June 30th, 2024. It will affect a variety of different businesses.

Developing Your Stormwater Management Plan

Meeting your stormwater management requirements in 2024 means developing a thorough stormwater management plan. You must address many different areas to ensure compliance and effective stormwater management.

Assessing your unique needs and goals is essential, especially when it comes to drawing connections between the specific regulations that affect your business. Every property has unique stormwater runoff risks that must be understood, accounted for, and resolved.

Your stormwater management plan must be sustainable and have the adaptability to work under any scenario. Creating a robust plan prepares your business to meet all relevant stormwater runoff requirements and avoid the financial, legal, and practical consequences of failing to do so.

How Hammers Construction Can Help

While navigating stormwater management requirements can be challenging, you don’t have to face it alone. The experts at Hammers Construction are here to assess, plan, and execute a stormwater management plan that meets all of your needs and the relevant legal requirements.

We handle the entire process from start to finish, designing and building systems from the ground up. We also provide repairs and enhancements and evaluating and monitoring. Reach out today for a custom solution to stormwater management for your business.

Design-build contracts are a fantastic way to keep a construction neat and collaborative throughout the process. They encourage open dialogues that prevent you from going through multiple people to determine who’s responsible for what.

But that does beg the question: what is a design-build contractor actually responsible for? Here’s what you can expect from your contractors when you opt into one of these unique project delivery systems.

About Design-Build Contracts

Design-build contracts are a dream for those in project management because there’s so much less to actually manage. Design-build entities are a single point of responsibility — everything accomplished during the project will go through this entity, including sub-consultants or specialty trades.

You plan your specifications with the contractor so they can keep to your time and budget requests. But there’s only one contract for the entire project. In traditional project delivery systems, the project owner often juggles contracts between designers and contractors, leading to miscommunication, delays, and even potential litigation.

What a Design-Build Team Does

While the responsibility for the project’s overall success is ultimately shared between the project owner and the design-build contractors, the design-build team is responsible for most aspects of a project. They’ll see the project through from start to finish, walk you through the design, help you choose materials, and finally put it together through construction.

A design-builder is different from an independent contractor in that they work directly with the designer as one unit. This makes both the construction and design phases much smoother since communication and expectations are clear from the signing of the contract.

It also often means the construction team will complete the project faster since there won’t be delays from communication errors or misunderstandings.

It also informs more innovative design; because the construction and design teams work together, they fully understand what they can accomplish at the site, and they relay this information to you. If this goes up against your project’s vision, the team is responsible for finding a satisfying solution to move forward.

But best of all, any necessary changes are almost always made during the planning phase, thanks to the careful, calculated nature of design-build contracts.

Rather than finding out at the worst possible moment that a contractor needs to change something the designer has planned, the owner signs off on the final design, and all parties are on board.

See the Difference of Design-Build Contractors in Denver and Colorado Springs

Commercial projects can be enormous undertakings, requiring you to balance more than you should have to. And this only gets more tenuous the more people you add outside the initial project agreement.

You can make things easier on yourself and avoid these issues by using a design-build contractor that will handle all aspects of your build and act as a point of contact for any changes, concerns, or adjustments.

Hammers Construction in Colorado Springs can help deliver on all of your project’s needs. Our design-build teams are flexible and collaborative, giving you the opportunity to be only as involved as you want to be and letting our professionals handle the rest. Contact us today to get started!

There’s nothing more vital to commercial properties than time and money. However, new construction projects need you to hand over a lot of both. And if you’re one of the many business owners trying to figure out how to cushion the blow, you’ll be glad to know there’s a way to do it that also makes the process more manageable.

Design-build construction can save you significant time and money compared to traditional methods. Let’s look at the design-build method and see why it’s becoming the go-to method for large-scale projects.

Saving Time

There are not many distinctions between time and money in business. But the existing few stand out — and sometimes not in a good way. Working with designers and contractors separately can consume a lot of time bouncing back between the two, trying to get answers, or getting everyone on the same page.

None of that is an issue with a design-build team. The two work as one entity, eliminating anything that could otherwise get lost in translation. The flexibility of design-build contracts also means the construction can begin before the design is finalized, but in a way that doesn’t threaten the possibility of there being a miscommunication that can cause extensive delays.

Direct collaboration with the design and construction teams can also save you time. You’ll have an easier time getting your needs across clearly, meaning there’s a mutual understanding of your expectations and desire to fulfill them. Together, the team can implement and solve any changes much faster than if you were to have separate contracts.

But even though collaboration is always welcome, it’s often not necessary during the later stages of the project. This flexibility and freedom allow owners to divert their attention toward other things rather than oversee a project. Provided you’re in capable hands, this is always a favorable outcome for a business owner.

Saving Money

When powerhouse professionals put their minds together to work on your construction project, you’re bound to see some savings. Because you, as the owner, agree on materials and expenses beforehand, it’s so much easier to precisely know what you’ll spend on the final product.

Also, contractors have extensive knowledge about how much materials cost. They can offer that information to the designers, who can then use it to inform their design philosophy. The result is the design you want within your budget and potentially the design-build savings you’re after.

One of the less apparent ways design-build construction can save you money is through less risk. There’s a lot of potential for passing blame or litigation when you work with multiple contracts. But when you work with a design-contract team, they’re liable for any adjustments or errors and are required to fix them.

Save Even More With Design-Build Construction From Hammers Construction

Design-build construction saves you time and money. So if you’re planning an upcoming commercial project in the Denver area, there’s no option more streamlined than going design-build.

Hammers Construction works on design-build projects for commercial properties, and we’d like to help you save time and money on your next undertaking. Contact us today to learn more about our design-build construction model.

Determining the best way in which to manage your commercial construction project is crucial for its success, as your decision will ultimately affect the finished structure’s timeline, cost, and quality.

Traditional commercial construction services require that business owners hire an architect to design the project and then have contractors bid on the project. They then choose a contractor based on their budget and require the management of individual contracts.

In contrast, design-build companies provide business owners with streamlined communication and efficiency wrapped into a single contract, and they are often preferred over more traditional service providers these days.

Why Business Owners Are Choosing Design-Build Commercial Construction

Design-build construction simplifies project management and brings several other benefits to business owners remodeling or expanding their property.

The six most significant of these are as follows:

1. Work With Experts in the Design and Build Process

Design-build firms are made up of project managers and designers, all working together to achieve the best results. They maintain stable partnerships and work with dependable subcontractors while also verifying that any newly hired subcontractors are experts in their field who can handle the project at hand.

2. Continuity in Workflow

Following a design-build technique, a commercial construction project is handled by a single firm from beginning to end, thus creating a practical and efficient process. Schedules become more effectively planned because the contractor understands their team’s capabilities.

3. Teamwork

Unity is required for effective teamwork, and if a contractor and designer have different views on the project, they may not decide when or how to begin construction.

Using the design-build technique gives the contractor control over the design and building process, but the project owner is still encouraged to participate in all decisions. Whenever an issue arises, they work together with the contractors to develop a plan for resolving the problem without delaying construction.

4. More Accountability

When a single team is responsible for the project’s completion, more attention is given to every detail, which provides better results than traditional methods in which the contractor and designer are from separate firms.

The design-build technique also allows all aspects of the project to be accounted for early in the project, including the following:

  • Construction costs
  • Labor fees 
  • Landscaping allowances
  • Utilities
  • Miscellaneous fees

Establishing accountability helps the contractor provide a more accurate quote for the owner, who won’t get hit with additional costs deep into the project.

5. Faster Turnaround Times

Working with a design-build firm allows construction to be completed within a faster turnaround time. Having builders and designers from the same team facilitates faster decision-making and minimizes breakdowns in communication, as everyone on the team understands the goal and works together to achieve it.

6. Cost Savings

With just a single firm handling the project, additional professional fees are not accumulated for consultations, and along with faster turnaround times, business owners stand to save a substantial amount of money on the project.

Save Money Today With Hammer’s Construction

As you search for “design-build firms near me,” Hammer’s Construction will likely appear on your list of local firms. With over 30 years of experience, you can trust that we know how to manage your project. We’re a design-build firm that uses our skills to the fullest, creating a high-quality construction project you’ll be proud of.

Call Hammer’s Construction today to schedule your free consultation and get your project started!

It’s no secret that any construction project requires many qualified individuals to make it successful. But having too many people involved can create confusion and loss of attention to crucial details. That’s why the design-build construction model has increased in popularity over the last several years.

Research indicates that nearly half of future construction projects are slated to be completed by a design-build construction company, and that number is expected to grow. This project delivery method is still relatively new, and many are now learning about it.

So what is design-build construction, and what is the role of a designer in this method?

What Is Design-Build Construction?

Design-build construction is a project delivery method that uses a single company to complete the development and construction of a new building. A design-build construction company includes all services with a single team, such as:

  • Designers
  • Engineers
  • General contractors
  • Specialty contractors

This team provides every facet of the process, including planning, design, and construction. The team must negotiate and agree to a contract that often includes the cost, timeline, terms and conditions, and payment terms.

What Is the Role of a Designer?

The role of the designer is crucial to the outcome of the project.

Designers provide the design strategy and work with the other team members to establish the best possible plan for the project. The overall code-compliant vision is established, and preliminary drawings are sent to the project owner.

This team member assesses every aspect of the project to determine areas where they can cut costs and optimize productivity. However, they must consider every aspect, including functional requirements and style preferences. The designer confirms prices with applicable subcontractors.

Designers must also provide compliance information throughout the project and agree on the final cost with the owner. They maintain engagement, the budget, and the schedule throughout the project.

Continual communication regarding the project status with the owner is essential to being a designer.

Is Design-Build Construction Right for Your Project?

Design-build contracts benefit any size or budget and establish communication regarding the details in the early phases. Clear communication prevents minor details from escalating into significant problems down the road. Because there are fewer issues, it often reduces project costs and allows construction to be completed on time, if not early.

Other benefits of opting for a design-build team can include:

  • Single point of contact throughout the project
  • Knowing the total project cost up front
  • Improvement of efficiency and coordination of supplies
  • Less downtime between phases

Design-build construction teams can begin one construction phase, while another remains in the design phase. This construction delivery method is suitable for large projects with a tight timeline, but it’s also ideal for any build.

Let Hammers Construction Handle All the Details

There’s no reason you need to juggle a dozen subcontractors to complete your construction project. Hammers Construction is a family-owned design-build construction company with over 30 years of experience. We deliver high-quality building projects with skill and open communication throughout the entire process.

Contact us today to begin working on your construction project.