Property developments have to jump through many hoops to get their ideas implemented. There are high stakes involved - cost, tight margins, deadlines, and client relations, and many of these come with non-negotiables. Getting just a single project off the ground can be a full-time job, and a headache.
Every day that occurs, every unexpected cost, is an obstacle that eats into your schedule and your returns. This is why choosing the right contractor to support you is one of the most important decisions you can make.
In this guide, we will explore:
As we mentioned, property developers are up against tight margins and deadlines, dealing with client relations, competing with costs, and searching for that all-important return-on-investment. The perfect scenario for them to be in would be an efficient contractor partnership, an easy-going and communicative client, and a development process with no hidden obstacles - but that’s rarely ever the case.
The first hurdle a property developer might encounter is that of regulatory requirements. A developer has to navigate not only planning permission, but also building codes and health and safety compliance within a project.
Secondly, there’s the potential for unreliable contractors. This is an unfortunate occurrence, and the risk is run if due diligence is not done regarding finding the right contractor. So what’s the impact? Missed deadlines, inconsistent workmanship, and a real lack of accountability. Without the right support, even well-planned developments can run over time and over budget.
Thirdly, property developers have to deal with tight budgets and tight schedules. It’s a real balancing act, having to ensure cost is kept down while delivering consistent quality. This can be especially difficult if multiple projects are being managed at once.
Finally, there is the challenge related to coordination issues. This is the last thing people think about when approaching a development project, but it can turn into the worst challenge of all. It is a very difficult job to manage multiple trades and subcontractors across different stages of a project, especially if they all come with their own costs, needs, deadlines, promises, and working styles.
Of the challenges covered in the previous section, the impact of these can be mitigated, but never fully avoided. A property developer cannot foresee every changing client request or potential pitfalls in the development process.
However, there is one thing a property developer can fully control, which will help lessen downtime, runaway costs, and unhappy clients - finding the right contractor.
The right contractor, who is experienced, dependable, communicative, and resourceful, does more than simply ‘show up and build’. The right contractor:
In short, the right building contractor matters because they deliver on promises to investors, developers, and potential tenants.
To keep projects on time and on budget, property developers require efficiency.
Efficiency means avoiding the pitfalls of regulation issues, inexperienced building contractors who may not have worked on projects like the one in question, and costly overruns.
Efficiency also means boosting return-on-investment, client confidence, and profitability. The right construction contractors for property developers ensure that these three objectives can be achieved through faster project delivery and increased property value (through high-quality materials and high-quality results).
For three years, the ‘Bawdlands’ property in Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, stood vacant. It fell into disrepair and began to show signs of severe structural damage. This presented problems, which were multiplied by the building’s major compliance issues and an outdated, impractical design. As such, it was a very low appeal building for potential tenants.
The team at D. Blackburn Contractors was able to turn this building around. Through a 22-week renovation project, we breathed new life into this old building, crafting a highly desirable co-living space. Our team:
Before:
After:
Through our work, the building went from a place you’d want to leave to a place you’d love to stay in.
To explore the project, click here.
The team at D. Blackburn Contractors has over twenty years of experience, working on thousands of projects during that time. With an in-house team of over thirty professionals, each with their own skills and specialisms, we have been supporting property developers by providing:
So if you are looking for commercial construction contractors and would like to experience expert project management and end-to-end services, why not get in touch with us today?
If you’re a property developer planning your next project, choosing the right contractor could be the difference between staying ahead or falling behind.
Arrange a call with our team today to talk through your project and discover how we could help you.
Alternatively, if you’re curious about our experience, why not take a look through our Past Projects?