Building Dimensions Blog

The number of private office buildings is expected to hold steady in 2019, a by-product of today’s labor shortage and the number of millennial workers.

Concrete and asphalt are the two most common choices for parking lots, access drives and other, similar surfacing needs. But how do the two measure up? 

Commercial construction continues to ride a wave of success and high demand in 2019. Opportunities abound for those who are savvy and eager to ride the wave.

Smart buildings can include a wide variety of tech solutions. Which should you consider first, and what’s on the leading edge of smart building tech?

Energy Star reports office buildings can waste a third of the energy they use ... and pay for.

As more active lifestyles and improved health care have people living longer these days, demand for senior housing will increase in coming years.

Time and again, multi-tenant housing has proven to be a safer investment during market corrections.

Office amenities to help landlords attract and keep business tenants.

When your business goals call for a new space in which to grow, here's how to get the commercial construction process moving.

Here's what to expect in the hospitality industry for 2019.

Senior housing developers are moving in new, different and creative directions are getting attention, and results.

Here's where you'll likely find the best ROI in industrial construction projects this year.

A location quotient gives you a picture of the concentration of an industry or demographic in a specified area when compared with national trends.

Here's how grocery and retail stores can adapt to today's consumers

Understanding supply and demand is key to identifying the best times to buy, sell and develop properties.

REITs can provide a viable alternative for investing in real estate.

With experts predicting the current economic cycle will end late next year, development and investment decisions must focus where opportunity is greatest.

Design-build leaders are working to attract more female workers, in part because of the unique and valuable skills women bring to the environment.

Wellness technology in senior housing developments can both retain current and attract new residents.

How do hard-tiled flooring and concrete compare? Let’s break it down.

Agile construction management provides a unique, iterative approach and has been a successful model for many developers.

Can you guess which of our blogs were most-read in 2018?

This infographic features results from a new Design-Build Institute of America study showing why more people are choosing design-build.

New research shows design-build continues to lead the way in commercial construction, both with cost savings and speed.

A season for hunkering and hibernating, winter can also be a season where the construction phase of your commercial project can slow dramatically or halt altogether.

When it comes down to choosing a design-build contractor, the key is finding one that is truly a team.

Take this 15-question quiz to see if you might qualify for an SBA loan.

When you’re ready to take your business to the next level with a renovation or new commercial construction,  you'll need to weigh several factors.

Value engineering aims to reduce cost without compromising overall project goals and quality.

1031 exchanges allow investors to swap one investment property for another with limited or no capital gains tax.

Both precast and site-cast concrete have their benefits.

Building new revenue streams into your senior housing budget can play a key role in getting the best ROI for your project.

On senior housing construction projects, how do you keep it appealing to prospective residents while containing costs?

Investing in real estate can be a solid way to build wealth, but only if you do it correctly.

In this tight lending environment, it helps to understand your loan financing options. 

The construction industry—and builders and owners who are taking on new projects—is already feeling the effects of drone use.

Walk into a shopping mall today, and one quickly sees how times have changed: anchor store spaces sitting empty, smaller stores gated with the lights off.

Building resilience can ensure more rapid recovery from adverse events

Tips for tracking construction project costs in a volatile market

When choosing insulation to use in your commercial construction project, it’s good to know you have a number of options

The regional market is seeing a shortage of laborers to complete the work—potentially delaying both the start and completion of projects.

Think you're ready to build a new commercial structure? Take this quiz and find out!

Any sort of surprise on a commercial construction site can slow, stall or even stymie progress entirely.

To stay competitive and relevant in the rapidly-evolving senior community housing industry, many are turning to major renovation projects.

In recent years, the design-build trend has really taken off, which may have you wondering, why are more clients choosing design-build?

The days of cafeteria-style, scheduled dining are leaving residents hungry for more

Some experts say being a developer commands your full attention, but for many, that just isn’t realistic

Design trends are changing to provide this population with what they want and need most

Insurance requirements differ depending on the scope and location of your project.

You’ve decided to develop real estate, but before you do, chances are you have questions.

Factors to consider before deciding whether to renovate your senior housing property or restart with new construction

Much of a project’s success hinges upon a comprehensive budget

Sustainability is reaching new heights with our latest contract.

Both wood framing and steel framing have their benefits and drawbacks.

Effective ways to control your commercial project expenses and come within budget

To protect your investment and your people, here are some tips to ensure your construction zone is a safety zone, from groundbreaking through ribbon-cutting.

When it makes sense, and how to divide and conquer

Download your free copy of our 2018 Commercial Construction Trend Report to see what's happening in your sector.

How will you know when you find the perfect property?

More senior housing will be needed in coming years, but that doesn’t mean boomers will be beating down the door to get in.

When you’ve capitalized on a real estate investment opportunity, you and your investors want to know your return on investment (ROI). After all, it’s pretty safe to say every investor in...

When you’re considering a new building project, it’s natural to look forward to the construction phase with excitement and anticipation. To make sure your new building project is...

It’s no secret that today’s commercial construction labor market is tight, and there’s no end in sight. The issue is having an impact on the ability of firms to find qualified...

When planning a renovation to a senior housing property, minimizing the inconvenience to your valuable tenants is in your best interest.

While the construction industry may seem to be a slow-moving vehicle, the truth is there are a number of subterranean industry developments, figuratively speaking, that stand to change the industry on a fundamental level, and swiftly.

Believe it or not, 82 percent of millennials actually enjoy shopping more in physical stores than online stores.

When it comes to the construction industry, lean principles are creating meaningful change that stand to significantly improve the customer experience.

Growth in manufacturing construction has been stagnant in 2017, but that’s expected to change in 2018. Watch for robotics, 3D printing, nearsharing and sustainability to trend. For currents trends in other market sectors, download our2017 Commercial Construction Trend Report.

Sustainable building design trends continue to emerge, and it’s no wonder. According to interestingengineering.com, experts project that between 2015 and 2018, the number of builders worldwide who have more than half their projects certified green will increase 100 percent. The main reason builders are turning to green initiatives? To reduce carbon emissions, say experts. But […]

When you’re imagining the next chapter in the legacy of your business, chances are you aren’t giving much thought to the dangers that could emerge over time. Yet now, more than ever, security is a concern for businesses and one that should be considered during the early stages of the commercial construction process. And it […]

As the construction industry rises to meet changing trends and ever-present challenges, a movement toward offsite construction is gaining steam. With offsite construction methods, components of a project are prefabricated elsewhere and shipped to the building site, then assembled. The innovation is a win for building contractors trying to overcome common commercial construction challenges such […]

As with any large-scale commercial construction project, you may encounter obstacles along the way toward achieving your final vision. Luckily, you and your builder or design-build team can take steps to prevent or eliminate these issues. Before you can bypass these hurdles, the first step, of course, is identifying what those trouble spots are. To […]

When designing your workspace construction, one of the most important considerations—if not THE most important consideration—is making sure it allows your staff to maximize their productivity. Of course you want your customer-facing spaces to be inviting and professional, and you want your employee spaces to be functional as well as comfortable for those long days,[…]

Online shopping is booming, which means more retailers need a lot more space to house their goods. That just about says it all when looking at warehouse design-build contractor trends. Here are the details.[…]

For commercial property developers, dark retail can be a source of frustration, blight and erosion of property value. And it can drive down sales for other tenants, when, for example, an anchor store calls it quits—which, as consumers embrace e-commerce, is becoming commonplace. If you’re facing this dilemma as a commercial property owner, take some […]

Just a few months ago, the U.S. Department of Commerce put into place a duty rate of approximately 20 percent on Canadian softwood lumber exports to the U.S., a tariff that was retroactive for 90 days. And while the move by the administration is meant to be a boon to U.S. industry, some experts warn […]

When you solicit proposals for your commercial construction project, you want to make sure you find the best team for the right price to deliver your project on time and on budget. It can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Here are some tips—some basic, and some insider tips—that you can use when […]

Senior housing is expected to boom in coming years. If you’re a developer, baby boomer or are in the senior housing industry, this is for you. For currents trends in other market sectors, download our 2017 Commercial Construction Trend Report.

When developing a commercial contractor RFP for your organization's needs, it's essential to gather comprehensive information from each potential contractor so you can make the most informed...

As a commercial property owner, you face a number of unique challenges. Good news is you’re not alone; commercial property owners must navigate a wide variety of issues from changes to the economy, to finding and retaining tenants, to monitoring demographic changes. What are the most common issues CRE owners face?

Negotiating a construction loan with a bank or lender isn’t something most of us do every day, but these five tips can help

Maybe your company’s storage needs are growing and changing, or perhaps you’re looking at building a warehouse for the first time to support anticipated needs for a new venture. Whatever the case, cost is among your first considerations, and rightfully so. You want a space that performs at the level your business needs it to, […]

When you’re ready to move forward on a commercial project, whether it’s apartments, retail property, office space or another commercial building, finding a lender who is willing to help you make that...

The cost of building materials continues to rise, and developers and builders are looking for ways to manage those increasing costs. At issue are increased demand for new housing construction,...

With the ribbon cutting now complete, ground preparation is underway for the new Festival Foods in Holmen. One might say we're moving mountains (of dirt, anyway) to get the job done.

If you think Western Wisconsin is slow to pick up on national trends, you may want to rethink that stance. In our 2017 Trend Report, we noted that the retail wave of the future is incorporating more...

As generational influence shifts and millennials become a primary target market for the hotel industry, hotel contractors like DBS Group and others in the construction sector are rising to meet the...

A walk through a construction work-in-progress can be inspiring and motivating, or it can be disastrous.

Thinking of starting a new commercial construction project for retail, and want that business to flourish? Look five, 10 or even 20 years into the future, say experts. Of course, in your mind’s eye...

To some, virtual reality is just a game; but to the construction industry, virtual reality is a game-changer. What started as an immersive gaming experience primarily for teens is now proving to be...

Download the 2017 Commercial Construction Trend Report

All signals point toward a healthy economy and increased GDP in 2017 and following years, and the 7 Rivers Region is poised to follow suit. As local business owners and entrepreneurs look ahead to...

The design-build project delivery method has been on the rise for the past several years, now surpassing design-bid-build delivery system use by 10 percent. (Fifty percent of all projects use...

If being eco-friendly is important to you when planning your next construction project, there’s good news: being green doesn’t have to put you in the red. Although it has been a long-held assumption...

Smart building tech is having a moment, and if analyst projections are on target, these technologies aren’t going anywhere soon. In fact, a report on constructiondive.com says the market is on pace...

When you’re planning to launch a commercial construction project, you may wonder when it’s the best time of year to begin. Is it better to break ground in the spring, when the weather improves? Or...

Looking ahead to 2017, this is one year where there’s cause for celebration in all commercial market sectors. According to Forbes, wage deceleration has bottomed out and is expected to begin growing...

Hiring a construction firm can be an intimidating experience. After all, we’ve all heard how construction projects can go wrong. That’s why it’s essential to select the right construction firm before...

Coldwell Banker and CNET last year released a joint study wherein 81 percent of those surveyed said they would be more likely to buy a smart home if smart technology was installed. The same holds...

Our aging infrastructure, both here in the Upper Midwest and throughout the U.S., is a topic that’s finally getting attention in political circles. While that conversation is widely addressing roads,...

Generation Y, or millennial workers, are being recruited by companies that are pulling out all the stops by offering a number of office features.

Our local landscape has changed a lot in the past 32 years, especially with communities north of La Crosse. But now, with Google's new Timelapse tool, you can actually see it changing. Check it out!

Sure, Rockefeller Center in New York has a big tree. And yes, there are some spectacular Christmas markets in Germany. But for our money, there’s no place like home for the holidays, and the Coulee...

We’ve all heard the stories about hordes of Black Friday shoppers descending upon a store with horrific consequences. And while every retailer wants a robust shopping season, no business owner wants...

As the number of homeowners is slowly declining, the number of renters is slowly increasing. And it isn’t just millennials doing all that renting, the trend holds among all age brackets. According...

As the air chills our bones and trees begin to look like stark skeletons, we are constantly reminded of the spooky delights of Halloween in the ghostly tales the season seems to whisper to...

As colleges and universities compete for students, student housing is evolving to offer widespread appeal and attract and retain the masses. Industry leaders say the latest construction and design...

In the last few weeks on our social media channels, we’ve shared news about everything from bendable concrete to 3d printed bathrooms. We even saw updates about the development of invisibility...

Imagine technology that can help you see your commercial building project plans beyond 3D, technology that would help your project stay on time and within budget, then allow you to optimize your...

The construction industry has taken more than its fair share of sucker punches lately. Labor shortages have long posed a challenge, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that the number of...

Nothing quite matches the thrill of restoring an old building to its former glory. To undo the damage that has been done by the hands of time, and the unwitting errors of past property owners, can...

When you're focused on getting your building project done on schedule and within your budget, it may seem easier to just have one individual or trade company do it all. At a glance, such an...

The popularity of pre-fabrication construction is growing, in large part due to a shortage of construction laborers. Experts project that construction will grow six percent this year, yet the labor...

No matter how deep your project pockets, no one has an unlimited construction budget. The good news is there are many ways you can save on your commercial construction costs, some of them obvious and...

When you're focused on getting your building construction project done on schedule and within your budget, it may seem easier to just have one individual or trade company do it all. At a glance, such...

As your business grows and changes, its space needs are likely to change as well. Eventually, owners of an expanding and evolving business must ask themselves whether to remodel or remodel or build a...

For the rapidly-changing face of the modern workplace, building owners are increasingly looking at coworking spaces when it's time for office construction. Coworking spaces offer an opportunity for...

When you're ready to take the next step in making your industrial or commercial building dreams a reality, it's important to step carefully to avoid common building plan pitfalls. In particular,...

You're ready to build, and it's taken a substantial amount of time, planning and capital to get here. You have your vision for the project, and you've established a budget. You might feel like you've...

When you're ready to build, you want the project done right and completed on time. In truth, time is money when it comes to commercial construction. The sooner you can open our doors for business,...

As you consider how to make your building project dreams a reality, you may want to consider the design build model, one of the most significant design and construction trends today. It's a...

When you're ready to build, you want to partner with the right contractor for your business construction needs. Yet choosing a commercial contractor for your project can be an overwhelming first...