At Pulse Construction, we offer both residential and commercial construction services. There are some obvious differences between these types of developments, with residential buildings being intended for people to dwell in, including single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses, and commercial properties being designated for business purposes, including retail buildings, offices, and storage units. But what exactly is the difference between these two types of properties in terms of construction? You might expect it to only be scale, with commercial developments exceeding residential developments in size, and while this certainly is a key difference, it’s not the only one. Here are five ways that residential construction is different from commercial construction.
1. Design Flexibility
When it comes to design, residential properties have much more flexibility than commercial projects. Homebuilding is relatively simple; it takes fewer workers, more straightforward financing, and less equipment than a commercial project. This gives residential projects more room to breathe, and more space for creativity. In fact, it’s fairly common for commercial builders to deliberately focus on a similar design, rather than experimenting, in order to minimize costs and reduce risks.
2. Building Materials and Equipment
Houses and other residential properties are built on a smaller scale than their commercial counterparts, which means that the building materials needed are different. Timber, for instance, is a common house framing material in Canada, as it is sturdy and cost-effective – but only on a small scale. Commercial buildings are far too heavy for timber to be a practical material, and therefore steel frames and concrete are preferred for commercial projects. Further, the huge scale of commercial projects means that special equipment is required, like cranes, along with the skilled labour needed to operate it.
3. Project Timelines
You might think that a small residential project would be completed more quickly than a large commercial development, but the opposite is actually more often the case. Because of the size and cost of commercial projects, a strict plan is often in place to keep workers on track and focused on project timelines. Residential homes, to contrast, have a smaller construction team, more flexible timelines, and even a tendency to change in scope as construction proceeds, all of which contributes to a slower construction process when compared to commercial projects.
4. Compliance with Codes
All construction requires a permit and compliance with any relevant codes. This means that certain construction standards must be met in order to satisfy legal requirements. Commercial properties, being larger and more complex than residential ones, usually have stricter codes. As an example, a commercial project might need to accommodate accessibility concerns, whereas a residential project would not be obligated to do this.
5. Costs
Construction projects cost money. While this is equally true of residential and commercial construction projects, costs are often much higher for those that fall into the commercial realm. Materials, equipment, and labour are more expensive, and funding might be more difficult to achieve. Comparatively, residential projects are low-cost and more straightforward to finance.
It’s evident that residential construction and commercial construction have many differences, which is why it’s so important to choose the right construction company for your project. At Pulse Construction, we’re committed to doing business with an honest, professional, and competitive approach – without compromising safety or schedules. Contact us today for all of your building needs.
