When interior construction projects come up, companies often turn to their internal facilities team. That’s understandable, given their responsibilities. But there’s more to consider before taking on a construction project in-house.
Before companies’ facilities teams tackle construction projects, they should understand and answer these four fundamental questions.
Does My Facility Team Have the Bandwidth?
Facilities teams are already busy with the day-to-day upkeep of an office, building, and campus. No matter the size, they may not have the bandwidth for a complex construction project. It’s one thing to hang a door, install a few lights, or replace a window. It’s a whole other thing to move a wall, renovate a bathroom, reconfigure office space, or redesign a conference room. Incremental projects like these require incremental resources.
Is This Project Something My Facility Team Specializes In?
Maintenance and minor repairs can often be done without specialists. To run smoothly, projects like renovations and build-outs really require construction expertise and an understanding of current best practices. Relying on someone who works with (and vets) tradespeople will ensure your job is done right. Bringing in specialists that install flooring or hang drywall, for example, will be more efficient than companies taking it on themselves.
Will My Team Challenge Unrealistic Plans?
Often the corporate office tells facilities that a project has to be completed by a certain time within a certain budget. (Think of a redesigned conference room for a special meeting or ceremony). In-house facilities teams may not be comfortable challenging plans coming from the top. Or, they may try, not knowing that it’s an unrealistic date and cost. In these instances, the finished project is often a disappointment. An experienced contractor will help create realistic plans, budget, and set contingencies. A properly scoped project sets realistic expectations that everyone will be happy with in the end.
Can My Team Anticipate Problems?
With decades of construction experience, a professional contractor will anticipate and avoid costly and time-consuming issues. An internal facilities team may not have the range and depth of experience to expect the unexpected. What will we find when we demo the drywall walls and ceilings? What’s underneath a concrete slab? What will the condition of the subfloor be when we remove the hard surface flooring? Small issues can add up. A contractor brings valuable experience that will alert their client to potential issues before they impact the schedule and budget.
Several of our clients learned about these fundamental questions after their project was completed. Now, they lean on us whenever they have interior construction projects and need additional bandwidth and construction expertise. We are an extension of their facilities team that helps them to scope their projects and set realistic expectations. We assemble the best trades and manage the project, communicating with the client every step of the way until the project’s completion.
