Commercial Construction

Can You Start Commercial Construction in the Fall? Absolutely!

Michigan business owners know how short the building season can feel once the leaves start to turn from green to red and gold. But when a lease is ending, a company is growing, or a new location needs to open by spring, waiting until April to break ground can push an entire business plan back by months.

The good news is that fall IS a very workable time to begin commercial construction – when you work with the right commercial constructiion contractor. While the first fall freeze in Southeast Michigan usually arrives in late October, the ground generally stays soft enough for heavy excavation and deep earthwork until late November or even December, which leaves several productive weeks for site and foundation work.

And a careful timeline, followed by a commercial construction contrator like JLR Group who knows how to deliver on time, can offer ample time to get your project off the ground in autumn – and then move to indoor tasks as the weather becomes more inclement!

At JLR Group in the Troy, MI area, we plan and build commercial construction projects throughout Oakland County in every season. With careful scheduling, smart material choices and the right sequence of work, a large portion of a new building or expansion can be started, or even completed, before winter weather sets in.

Order Short-Lead Materials Only for Fall Commercial Construction

Material lead times have a direct effect on how much a fall commercial construction project can accomplish before winter. Items such as structural steel, rooftop HVAC units, electrical switchgear, custom storefront glass and elevators can take weeks or months to arrive, and waiting on them in November can leave a site idle during the last good building weather.

For this reason, fall commercial construction works best when the early phases rely on materials that are readily available. Lumber, concrete, rebar, masonry block, standard steel studs and common fasteners can be delivered quickly, which keeps crews working while long-lead items are ordered for installation later in the schedule.

Long-lead items are still ordered in the fall, but they are timed to arrive when the commercial construction project is ready for them in winter or early spring. Placing those orders early protects the schedule, while the short-lead materials keep the site moving right away.

At JLR Group in the Troy, MI area, we run our own lumber yard, which gives our commercial construction clients a real advantage in the fall. Because we control our own lumber supply, framing materials are ready the moment the project needs them, and our crews keep building while the weather window is open.

Make Excavation & Earthwork a Priority for Fall Commercial Construction

Excavation and earthwork are the parts of commercial construction that depend most on ground conditions. Clearing, grading, trenching for utilities and digging for footings all go much more smoothly before the soil freezes, since frozen ground is harder to dig, harder to compact and more costly to work.

Moving these tasks to the front of a fall commercial construction schedule makes the most of the weeks before deep frost. Once underground utilities are in place and footings are poured, the project no longer depends on soft soil, and the remaining work can continue as temperatures drop.

Concrete placed in cold weather does need extra care, including insulated blankets, heated enclosures and mix designs suited to lower temperatures. These cold-weather practices are standard on fall commercial construction sites, and they allow foundations to cure properly as the nights grow colder.

At JLR Group in the Troy, MI area, we schedule excavation and earthwork as the first priority on every fall commercial construction project. Getting foundations in the ground early keeps our clients’ projects throughout Oakland County moving steadily through the winter months.

Planning Is Everything for Fall Commercial Construction

Every successful fall commercial construction project begins with a detailed schedule. Whether it is called a construction schedule, a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule, a master project schedule or a baseline schedule, this document maps every task, its duration and the other tasks that depend on it.

A CPM schedule is especially useful in the fall because it identifies the tasks on the critical path, where any delay would move the finish date. Knowing the critical path allows the most weather-sensitive commercial construction work to go first, with time built in for the cold, wet days that Michigan often brings in November.

Good planning for fall commercial construction also covers permits, inspections, utility coordination and material deliveries. When these pieces are lined up before the first shovel hits the ground, the remaining weeks of good weather are spent building rather than waiting.

At JLR Group in the Troy, MI area, our commercial construction team understands Michigan winters and plans each project around them. We build and manage detailed project schedules so our clients’ projects stay on time from groundbreaking through completion.

Order of Operations (Sequence) Is Crucial when Starting Fall Commercial Construction Projects

The order in which work happens determines how much a fall commercial construction project accomplishes before winter. A well-planned sequence moves from site work and foundations to structural framing and then to enclosing the building, with each phase setting up the next.

The main goal of a fall sequence is to get the building dried in, which means the roof, exterior walls, windows and doors are in place. Once a commercial construction project is enclosed, temporary heat can be added, and interior trades such as electrical, plumbing, drywall and finishes can keep working all winter.

The right sequence also helps control commercial construction costs. Work done in the proper order avoids handling materials twice, reduces the need for winter protection on exposed areas and keeps each trade productive from the day it arrives on site.

At JLR Group in the Troy, MI area, we sequence every fall commercial construction project so the structure is enclosed as early as possible. This approach lets our crews continue interior work through the coldest months and keeps projects across Oakland County on track for their opening dates.

Commercial Construction | Troy, MI Area

Fall can be a do-able and even productive season to begin your next building project – with the right contractors. With short-lead materials, early earthwork, a detailed schedule and a smart sequence of work, your commercial construction project can make real progress before winter and be ready to move forward the moment spring arrives.

At JLR Group in the Troy, MI area, we would be glad to help you plan and build your next commercial construction project in Oakland County, no matter the season. Request your FREE QUOTE today!

Troy, MI Area Commercial Construction: 248.909.6183