What is the Difference Between Residential & Commercial Construction?

Building Materials

One of the big differences between residential and commercial construction is the type and amount of materials used. Commercial property is generally going to be at a larger scale and needs to fit a wider range of purposes. Materials are normally purchased in bulk, which allows for overall cost savings. They’re more likely to be focused on functional rather than purely aesthetic. By comparison, residential properties are often smaller-scale construction projects. They use affordable and traditional materials like timber. The look of residential construction projects are likely to be much more important.

Permits

When working on a construction project, it is important to consider the different permits and licences you need. Any construction must adhere to local regulations. In all cases, planning permission must be acquired, and this will dictate the height and size that a building can be. Major developments must comply with Building Control department regulations. in order to ensure they are constructed with safe materials.

Equipment

Different equipment is required for commercial and residential construction. Commercial properties are often larger and therefore tower cranes will be commonly used. This is less usual with residential builds that are too small for such heavy-duty equipment. It is still likely that excavators, scaffolding, power saws and more will be used in both cases. Residential builds will require a lower number of specially trained operatives.

Time to Complete

Residential properties can be less complex and more uniform than diverse commercial properties. Yet the time it takes to complete each may surprise you. Commercial construction can often be completed in a tighter timeframe. This is because they have a greater number of workers, with diverse skills. Commercial projects are usually funded by a business, investor, or government body. Therefore the planning beforehand is extremely thorough. Every element has been considered to a particularly high level pre-build.

Residential properties are smaller. They may be funded by individual homeowners or smaller-scale developers. This means that the investment might be smaller, leading to fewer workers. It is also possible that homeowners may change their minds about certain elements. This leads to delays as changes must be made. With developers, homes are often sold with bespoke options which can also slow down a build. There is less heavy-duty equipment which can be less efficient. A single-task environment is common, as opposed to the multi-task atmosphere of commercial sites.

The exception to this would be with particularly complex commercial buildings. In this case, several highly trained workers may need to be brought in, which can take more time.

Cost

There can be notable cost differences between projects. Commercial properties are often much more expensive to build. They require a wide investment pool made up of crowdfunding, private investors, and other stakeholders. Residential properties can be less costly. They may be eligible for government support schemes.

Functionality

Commercial construction projects are, as we mentioned, likely to cost more. This is in part due to the materials and size. Another factor in this is the functionality of the space. Commercial buildings must meet a wide range of needs. This means that specific expert services are required to complete the construction. A warehouse is a completely different construction project than a shopping centre or stadium. The difference in functionality may include lifts, fire safety measures, disabled access, and more. Domestic properties, on the other hand, often only need to meet a certain purpose. Construction on these projects only needs to focus on creating standard apartments or houses, which are smaller in scope.

Whether you are planning a commercial or residential build, it is important to fully understand each element of your project. If you want to know more about the implications of different build types and taking care of property, then get in touch with a member of our friendly team at PPVS today.